Photo: WBZ NewsRadio Archive
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The highest court in Massachusetts has struck down a potential rent control ballot question that would have appeared on the ballot in November.
The Supreme Judicial Court's issue is with an exemption in the ballot question for religious facilities, saying it violates the state constitution.
Carolyn Chou, the director of the advocacy group Homes for All Massachusetts, called the decision disappointing but said they won't give up.
"So while this is a setback today, momentum is on our side and we will continue to fight for the people of Massachusetts," said Chou in an interview with WBZ NewsRadio.
The ballot question would have overturned a referendum that banned rent control in Massachusetts, which was passed in 1994. It would have been one of the strictest rent control laws in the country, only allowing rest to be raised along with the inflation rate.
"Quite shocking to see this happen," said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. "I think parties were getting close to coalescing around a compromise. I hope that momentum can keep up because it is clear that the public's energy, the daily pressures on community members is that housing costs are incredibly out of reach."
Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell had previously said the question was ready to go for Election Day this year.