Overview
- Gov. Maura Healey said she will vote no on the 2026 rent-control initiative, arguing it would halt housing production and deter investment.
- The measure would cap most annual rent increases at the lower of 5% or the Consumer Price Index, with exemptions for owner-occupied buildings of four units or fewer and for new construction under 10 years old.
- Secretary of State William F. Galvin said the campaign collected enough signatures to advance, triggering a legislative review before additional signatures would be needed to reach the ballot.
- A Suffolk University/Boston Globe poll last month found nearly 63% of voters would support the proposal.
- Healey said she will vote yes on a separate question to apply the state’s public-records law to the governor’s office and the Legislature, as supporters and real estate interests prepare a costly fight over rent caps.