The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts has ruled that a rent control question will not appear on the November ballot. The court decided that the initiative petition seeking to impose statewide rent control relates to religion and is therefore not eligible for the ballot.

Ruling Details

The petition included an exemption for units operated for educational, religious, or non-profit purposes. The court found that this exemption made religion a factor in the application of the law, which is not allowed under the state Constitution.

Attorney General Andrea Campbell had certified the question for the ballot, but the court’s ruling overturns that decision. The plaintiffs in the case argued that the petition should be disqualified because it involves religion.

The court’s ruling is a setback for supporters of rent control, who argue that it is needed to address rising tenant costs. However, opponents of rent control, including the real estate industry, argue that it would discourage needed housing production.

Reaction to the Ruling

Noemi ‘Mimi’ Ramos, executive director of the New England Community Project and chair of the Keep Massachusetts Home campaign, expressed disappointment with the ruling but said that it does not affect the substance of the proposal. Conor Yunits, chair and spokesman for the Housing for Massachusetts committee, which opposes the ballot question, welcomed the ruling, saying that it protects the state’s housing pipeline and communities from the damage that rent control inflicts.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.