Massachusetts is home to America’s oldest antimonopoly law. The state’s Body of Liberties, enacted in 1641, made clear that “No monopolies shall be granted or allowed amongst us…”
Today, lawmakers in the Bay State are again debating ways to strengthen the state’s protections against the abuse of corporate monopolies and market power. In July, ILSR’s Ron Knox testified in support of S1038/H1982, “An Act In Regard to Protecting Small Businesses and Workers.” If enacted, it would amend the state’s antitrust law to make clear when a corporation has outsized power in the state. The new legislation would also strictly prohibit those corporations from using that power to abuse workers, small businesses, and consumers.
Along with New York’s 21st Century Antitrust Act, the Massachusetts bill is the latest state-based legislation intended to give states the authority needed to prevent corporate abuses within their borders and avoid the pro-monopoly jurisprudence that often prevents federal antitrust law from stopping even the most common monopoly abuses.
The hearing was the first for the bills, which were introduced by Massachusetts Senator William Brownsberger and Representative Lindsay Sabadosa. Along with ILSR, Cambridge Local First (CLF), and the Student Borrower Protection Center supported the bills during the hearing. CLF is a member of Small Business Rising — a coalition of over 40 independent business groups working together to advocate for fair competition so small businesses have a level playing field. Alongside ILSR, CLF spearheaded the efforts in Massachusetts to strengthen their antitrust laws and to organize local small businesses in Cambridge to speak directly with antitrust enforcers about monopoly harms impacting them and their communities.
You can watch the bill hearing here. For more on what states can do to rein in monopoly power, check out ILSR’s package of resources to help state enforcers, lawmakers, and advocates turn back the tide of outsized corporate power and support strong, equitable economies within their borders.
Ron Knox“Massachusetts again today has the opportunity to help safeguard fairness and opportunity for workers, small businesses and shoppers by making clear that monopolistic abuse isn’t compatible with liberty and equity in the Bay State.”
For further reading about antitrust in the states:
Ron Knox sits down with SiX's Ida V. Eskamani to discuss ILSR's new state anti-monopoly resource hub.
A bill in the Rhode Island House could level the state's grocery playing field, and encourage other states to join the fight against monopoly power.
The failure of the Kroger-Albertsons merger represents a victory for Lina Khan and the movement she represents.
In this ILSR event, two State AGs and other changemakers have a lively discussion about how states can advance the goals of the antitrust movement.