Uncompensated Public Use of Private Property? Stop Rent Control!
The November rent control ballot question is unconstitutional. Here's why:
- The Massachusetts constitution says three things can't be put to a popular vote:
- Court matters
- Religious matters and
- The right to compensation for property taking for a public use.
- Guess what this ballot initiative does. (If you said "deletes the chapter that provides a means for compensated rent control," you're right! Keep reading.)
No question: There is a housing crisis in Massachusetts. But rent control didn’t work before and it won't work now.
These buildings were boarded up because of rent control.
This note from legal services proves they're hiding the truth.
Advocates are purposely hiding information from voters.
Massachusetts law already allows for rent control - as long as cities make up the difference between controlled rents and market rates. We're fine with this!
But this new ballot initiative eliminates that part of the law - and when the AG's office asked if the ballot description should include that, MLRI's Andrea Park said "no."
They don't want you to know what will really happen if this is passed.
This is unconstitutional. We must stop it.
- Read the full ballot question text, explained in plain language.
Stop Deleting Our Rights in Secret!
The state constitution guarantees owners the right to compensation if their private property is utilized for public use.
This has already been tested in court with Dimino v. Secretary of the Commonwealth. This sets precedent for a legal challenge.
If we prevail, rent control like this is eliminated forever.
If we lose, rent control will cost all of us. Less availability. Lower property values. Less municipal funding.
If you're a property owner in Massachusetts, you can’t ignore this ballot initiative.
Uncompensated public use of private property? No thanks.
Don't let this be our future.
Members: 1% of your monthly rent could stop rent control for good.
- We have raised enough money to file an amicus brief backing litigation efforts.
- The next $5,000 we raise will go toward filing a second amicus brief, focusing on a senior citizen who has benefited from under-market rents.
- Another $10,000 will support a third amicus brief, telling the story of a landlord who took their property off the market to renovate,and will never be able to recoup their investment.
- Allocating just 1% of your monthly rent receipts will help us campaign against rent control - before it's too late.
