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Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy addresses legislators in a hearing on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. State House News Service Photo | Sam Doran
Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy declined to give a preview Thursday of what Gov. Charlie Baker might say next week in his annual address to the legislature, but it would come as no surprise if the governor tried to nudge legislators to act on his housing production bill.
Baker has proposed in consecutive legislative sessions to reduce the voting threshold for local boards to make zoning changes from two-thirds to a simple majority. The administration believes this would make it easier for cities and towns to site new housing and address the lack of affordable housing, particularly in Greater Boston, that threatens to stymie economic growth.
“I was glad to see the progress made before the holidays coming out of the joint committee,” Kennealy said after a MassDevelopment board meeting, alluding to a Housing Committee vote supporting the bill. “We’ll continue to make a big push on that one inside and outside the building. There’s just tremendous support for it.”
Kennealy made a joke during the meeting when he learned the proposed rezoning of Vicksburg Square in Devens for housing only needed majority support of Town Meeting, although it will need majorities in all three towns that have a stake in Devens.
“Sounds like good zoning,” he chimed in.
Kennealy didn’t want to speculate on why the governor’s “Housing Choices” bill has failed to get a vote in either branch in more than three years.
“All I can tell you is that we’re continuing to make the case and we think there’s broad support for it both inside and outside the building,” Kennealy said.
Baker’s proposal has earned some support in the legislature, but lawmakers have other ideas about how to boost production, and haven’t been able to get behind a single proposal. As for what Baker will say on Tuesday night?
“You’ll hear it next week,” Kennealy said.
