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Boston's Morning Newsletter
What the House kept, added and cut from Healey's housing bill
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.
Traducido en español por El Planeta, Boston's Latino daily.
Let’s dive into the news like a pro on Minots Ledge Light:
Over half a year after it was first proposed, Gov. Maura Healey’s big housing bill is on the move — with some tweaks. Last night, the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed a $6.5 billion version of Healey’s five-year housing bond bill, which aims to put a dent in the housing shortage that has driven the state’s rents and home prices to among the highest in the nation. And while the House bill is 50% bigger than Healey’s original proposal, it also cut some of the governor’s notable policy proposals. Here’s a breakdown:
- What they kept: The big spending priorities in Healey’s bill remain mostly intact. (Bond bills authorize the state to borrow and spend up to a certain maximum, though it doesn’t mean they’ll actually reach those goals.) For instance, there’s over a billion dollars for state affordable housing funds, $2 billion for the state’s neglected public housing system and hundreds of millions splashed around at other housing programs. The House bill also keeps Healey’s proposal to change zoning codes across the state to allow property owners to build so-called “accessory dwelling units” as big as 900 square feet on their lots “as of right.”
- What they added: The biggest new feature is the authorization of up to $1 billion to upgrade suburban water and sewer systems. Many municipal leaders say their systems don’t have the capacity to support dense housing development. So the House bill proposes expanding the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s water system to more than 20 communities on the North and South Shore. The House bill also added a $150 million tax credit program for office-to-apartment conversions and would also allow cities and towns to pass “first right of refusal” laws.
- What they cut: Perhaps the most notable absence in the House’s bill is Healey’s proposal to let cities and towns enact their own small taxes on high-end property sales to fund affordable housing. (However, some senators are already talking about pushing to re-include the transfer tax in their bill.) The bill also cuts Healey’s proposal to allow people to get certain eviction records sealed in court, as well as a change to let communities pass inclusionary zoning rules with a simple majority vote (rather than two-thirds).
- What’s next: The bill now heads to the Senate, where it will likely see more changes and revisions. But so far, Healey says she’s “really encouraged” by the House bill, even if some of her ideas were left out. “Housing is the top priority for this state, so I’m delighted to see this bill moving forward,” she said this week.
Meanwhile: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s plan to temporarily raise commercial property tax rates to avoid a big spike in residential property taxes looks headed to the State House. The City Council passed Wu’s home rule petition by a 8-4 vote yesterday. Assuming Wu signs it, the measure next needs approval from state lawmakers.
- The debate: Business groups argue that many small businesses are already hurting, but supporters of the measure say it’s necessary to protect against a sharp residential property tax hike. “The main beneficiaries of this proposal are individuals who own property who are house rich, but cash poor, like many of our seniors and tenants within smaller properties in Boston,” City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata said during yesterday’s meeting.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals begins at 8:30 p.m. tonight at TD Garden, and there’s no shortage of storylines as the Celtics try to finish this season’s quest for banner No. 18. Is the second time a charm for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown? How will Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving fare against his former team (and fans) in Boston? How will the C’s contain Luka Doncic? And why are so many people betting on the underdogs? WBUR’s Morning Edition host Rupa Shenoy spoke with Boston Globe basketball reporter Gary Washburn about what to expect. You can read the highlights of their conversation here.
- Headed to the game tonight? Remember the Orange Line is closed between Oak Grove and Back Bay. T officials say they’ll run more Green Line service tonight. There’s also free shuttles and commuter rail service between North Station and Oak Grove.
- Reminder: Tickets for next week’s TD Garden watch parties for the away games in Dallas go on sale publicly today at 10 a.m.
P.S.— Healey may have made good on her women’s hockey bet with Minnesota’s governor this week, but we’re not holding our breath for any friendly NBA Finals wagers with Texas’ GOP governor. (Maybe, if the Celtics win, Healey’s office can take out another billboard.)
