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Rent Control Question Disqualified Due to Religious Exemption
- On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled a rent control ballot question cannot appear on the November ballot, citing an unconstitutional exemption for religious organizations included in the petition.
- The SJC determined the petition 'impermissibly' relates to religion, an 'excluded matter' under the Massachusetts Constitution, because it included an exemption for housing units operated solely for religious purposes.
- Housing for Massachusetts chair Conor Yunits praised the decision for protecting the housing pipeline from 'proven damage,' while Keep Massachusetts Home campaign chair Noemi 'Mimi' Ramos called the ruling a 'massive disappointment.'
- Attorney General Andrea Campbell, who certified the measure, admitted the state 'got it wrong,' stating she was 'surprised' by the ruling after believing the petition was on 'the right legal footing.'
- Rent control boosters say the ruling is 'far from the end of our campaign' and that the issue is 'easily fixable,' though the decision complicates ongoing legislative compromise efforts aimed at addressing housing costs.
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26 Articles
26 Articles
Gov. Healey says focus should be on housing production after rent cap question blocked
WORCESTER — Following the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision to throw out a ballot question to impose statewide rent control, Gov. Maura Healey said focus should now be directed towards building more housing.
·Springfield, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources26
Leaning Left4Leaning Right1Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
L 25%
C 69%
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