Support WBUR
Boston's Morning Newsletter
To avoid a costly ballot question fight, Massachusetts rent control supporters are floating a compromise
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
It's a beach-worthy Wednesday — and the blue skies and warming temperatures might even stick around through Saturday (for once).
But first, the news:
Ballot olive branch: Supporters of the potential rent control ballot question in Massachusetts this fall are offering up a compromise. If the State House passes a bill to repeal the statewide ban on rent control and let cities and towns decide on their own if they want the policy, the Keep Massachusetts Home campaign said yesterday that it will drop its more strictly worded measure. The pro-rent control group said it worked with several of the Boston area's largest developers, such as HYM Investment Group and WinnCompanies, to come up with the possible exit ramp from a costly campaign this fall. But so far, the broader real estate industry — and most importantly, top lawmakers — have yet to get on board.
- The details: The proposed compromise bill would let cities and towns vote to opt into a more mild version of rent control — similar to what Boston Mayor Michelle Wu pushed for several years ago. Communities would be allowed to limit annual rent increases at the rate of inflation plus 5%, with a cap at 10%. (The ballot question would cap rent increases across the state at the rate of inflation, with a max of just 5%.) Similar to the proposed ballot question, the bill includes some exceptions, such as for new developments and smaller, owner-occupied buildings. Read a summary of the proposal here.
- The response: Housing for Massachusetts, the real estate industry-based group campaigning against the ballot question, emphasized in a statement Tuesday that no deal has been reached. The group said it will review the proposal, but added that parts of it "remain problematic" for housing construction and that there have been "no direct conversations" between the two sides.
- The view from Beacon Hill: Democratic leaders in the State House declined to weigh in on the proposal yesterday. Gov. Maura Healey, who opposes the ballot question in its current form, has said in the past she supports letting communities decide for themselves on rent control. But her office also did not respond to a request for comment.
- What's next: The ballot question's supporters say Beacon Hill has until July 1 to pass the bill. If they don't, Homes for All Massachusetts said the group remains prepared to take their measure to the ballot in November.
Meanwhile on Beacon Hill: Healey is throwing her support behind an eleventh-hour proposal to extend last call in Massachusetts until 3 a.m. this summer. Last month, state Rep. Carole Fiola filed a bill to let bars and restaurants keep serving alcohol an hour later than the current statewide 2 a.m. cutoff from June through August, with the World Cup, Tall Ships and 250th celebrations in town. The bill would also let cities and towns establish public drinking zones (i.e. Laconia) for the summer.
- What Healey is saying: In written testimony, the governor said Fiola's bill would help support local businesses, "keep downtowns active," and strengthen the state's image both globally and locally. (For what it's worth, we asked House Speaker Ron Mariano's office about Fiola's bill last week and did not hear back.)
In fare condition: The MBTA is releasing collectable CharlieCards in tribute to the Boston area's event-filled summer. Officials yesterday revealed three different cards featuring photos of different Boston landmarks (that you can get to on the T): South Station, the Boston Public Library and the USS Constitution.
- Where to find them: You can currently get the cards at fare vending machines at three stations: Park Street, Downtown Crossing and Forest Hills. The T said it plans to distribute more at "over a dozen more stations" this week.
Closed streets: Following an unusually public disagreement, the MBTA and the city of Boston have agreed to a deal to close a block of Summer Street near South Station during World Cup matches. (The T wants the space for people lining up for trains to the games — and had even threatened to invoke temporary eminent domain.) The result of the deal? Slightly shorter closures than the T originally wanted and keeping one side of the street open during three of the seven games.
Open streets: We had to wait for it, but this summer's Open Newbury schedule is finally here. Mayor Michelle Wu's office announced yesterday that the street will again become pedestrian-only on 10 Sundays between July 12 and Oct. 11 — plus a TBD Sunday in December for the holidays. See the schedule.
P.S.— Today is your last chance to vote in the final round of our bracket to determine what foods would make up a "full Boston" plate. Fried clams versus Market Basket rotisserie chicken? Bar pizza versus steak tips? You decide.
