Press Statement  AG Campbell Issues Statement Clarifying Legality Of Municipal Compliance With MBTA Communities Law

BOSTON — Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has issued the following statement in response to the Office of the State Auditor’s recent letter to municipalities incorrectly declaring the MBTA Communities Law as an unfunded mandate. 

“High housing costs burden our residents and stifle our economy – and responsible zoning is the solution to this crisis, as most of our communities understand. The Auditor’s claim that the MBTA Communities Law is an unfunded mandate is wrong, and, more importantly, this letter has no effect whatsoever on implementation of the Law. If those who oppose housing affordability try to make a similar claim in court, the state will vigorously defend the law, and we intend to be successful, as we have been so far,” said AG Campbell.