Worcester Mayor Leads Opposition to Rent Control Ballot Measure

Petty joins other Central Mass mayors in coalition against proposed statewide rent cap

Apr. 15, 2026 at 8:53pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of a solitary apartment building in a city street, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the debate over rent control policies.As Massachusetts cities grapple with rising rents, a proposed statewide rent control policy faces pushback from local leaders concerned about its potential impact on their communities.Gardner Today

Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty has joined a coalition of Central Massachusetts mayors, including Leominster's Dean J. Mazzarella and Gardner's, in opposing a proposed 2026 ballot measure that would implement rent control across the entire state of Massachusetts.

Why it matters

Rent control is a controversial policy that some argue can help make housing more affordable, but critics say it can also lead to housing shortages and disincentivize new construction. This ballot measure would apply rent control statewide, rather than allowing individual communities to decide.

The details

The proposed ballot question would cap rents across Massachusetts, a move that the coalition of mayors argues would have negative consequences for their communities. They believe the measure, if passed, would discourage new housing development and ultimately reduce the availability of affordable units.

  • The proposed rent control ballot measure is slated for the 2026 election cycle in Massachusetts.

The players

Joseph Petty

The mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts, who has joined a coalition opposing a proposed 2026 ballot measure that would implement rent control statewide.

Dean J. Mazzarella

The mayor of Leominster, Massachusetts, who has joined the coalition against the proposed rent control ballot measure.

Gardner Mayor

The mayor of Gardner, Massachusetts, who has also joined the coalition against the proposed rent control ballot measure.

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What they’re saying

“This 2026 proposed ballot question not only will it apply to every community in Massachusetts,”

— Joseph Petty, Mayor of Worcester

What’s next

The coalition of mayors plans to continue their opposition campaign ahead of the 2026 election, when Massachusetts voters will decide the fate of the rent control ballot measure.

The takeaway

The debate over rent control in Massachusetts highlights the broader tensions around housing affordability and development, with local leaders concerned about the potential unintended consequences of a statewide rent cap policy.