The Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance today criticized the latest push by organized labor groups to impose an economy killing measure on the state, this time as they begin collecting signatures for government-mandated rent control across the Commonwealth.

According to a new Boston Globe report, five major labor unions, including the Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA) and SEIU, have pledged to help collect signatures to place a rent control initiative on next year’s ballot.

"Rent control means higher residential property taxes, less housing, and a weaker economy. The same union leaders who pushed the so-called 'Millionaire’s Tax,' which has wholesale driven people and wealth out of our state, are now pushing another reckless ballot measure that will make Massachusetts less affordable for working families and an even worse place to do business," said Paul Diego Craney, Executive Director for the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance.

A recent analysis of Portland, Maine, where rent control has been in place since 2021, found that homeowners are now paying between $224 and $379 more in property taxes each year, as the city’s taxable property base declined by up to 5.4%.

"Whenever government imposes price controls, the costs always get shifted elsewhere, in this case, onto homeowners, it’s a tax hike disguised as housing relief that will ultimately lead to increased costs for everyone," noted Craney.

The union push comes as Massachusetts faces worsening economic headwinds. Earlier this month, Moody’s Analytics listed Massachusetts among 22 states already in or on the brink of recession. Hiring plans have fallen to their lowest level since 2009, and business confidence continues to erode.

"Massachusetts is sliding into a recession and instead of focusing on competitiveness and growth, union bosses are pushing yet another ballot measure that will retract our economy, shrink our housing supply, and raise everyone’s taxes. This is exactly the wrong prescription at the precisely wrong time," said Craney.

"For decades, Massachusetts worked hard to shed the label of 'Taxachusetts'. Now, the same special interests that drove out jobs and capital want to resurrect rent control, one of the most disastrous housing policies in our history. Rent control failed in the 1990s, it’s failing in Maine today, and has a proven track record of failing in other parts of the country by reducing supply and increasing prices. Voters deserve better than another failed experiment from Beacon Hill insiders and their activist allies," closed Craney.