The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has criticized the recent decision by the Massachusetts House of Representatives to include a Secure Choice Savings Program amendment in the fiscal year 2026 state budget. The NFIB, known for advocating the interests of small businesses, expressed concerns over the potential impact of the amendment on businesses with 25 or more employees.
Christopher Carlozzi, the Massachusetts state director for NFIB, emphasized the lack of a public hearing to assess the financial implications for small businesses and their employees. He commented, “Without a public hearing to determine the financial impact on Massachusetts small business and their workers, state lawmakers shoehorned a major policy change into the $61.5 billion FY2026 budget mandating businesses of 25 employees or more enroll their workers into a state-run retirement plan or face hefty penalties.”
Carlozzi further highlighted that existing Secure Choice Savings Program bills had previously been presented to the Joint Committee on Financial Services, allowing for public inputs about their fiscal impact. In this instance, however, the House bypassed the process and included the amendment in a comprehensive budget package containing various matters.
In expressing dissatisfaction, Carlozzi stated, “Again, lawmakers’ policy choices and rhetoric are in conflict. Are automatic withdrawals from worker paychecks and added compliance costs for small businesses a step towards affordability? Major policy changes that impact a large number of workers and businesses in the Commonwealth should receive the public feedback and scrutiny they deserve, not hidden in a $61.5 billion budget bill that legislators must back in order to keep the Commonwealth running.”
The NFIB has served as an advocate for small and independent businesses throughout the United States for 80-plus years, operating as a nonprofit, member-driven, nonpartisan organization. More details about their work can be found on their website at nfib.com.
