Massachusetts' top court knocked the petition to return rent control to the state off the November 2026 ballot, ruling its wording violated the state constitution.

Why it matters: Advocates, lawmakers and real estate developers had been working toward a compromise to settle the issue before the more radical ballot language got to voters.

• But with yesterday's ruling, the issue is dead — both as a ballot question for voters to decide and as a motivating factor pushing Beacon Hill to reach a compromise.

The big picture: The proposal sought to enact the nation's strictest statewide rent cap by limiting annual increases to 5% or the rate of inflation.

Yes, but: The court found that an exemption for "facilities operated solely for educational, religious, or non-profit purposes" ran afoul of the constitution, which prohibits ballot initiatives from involving religious institutions.

Between the lines: Writing for the majority, Justice Frank Gaziano said the explicit religious exemption "impermissibly makes religion 'a factor in [the petition's] application.'"

• Justice Scott Kafker added in a concurring opinion that the rule would require an "intrusive review of religious beliefs and practices."

What they're saying: Conor Yunits, spokesman for the real estate-backed Housing for Massachusetts that opposed the question, said the court's ruling "puts the issue to rest and protects our housing pipeline and our communities from the proven damage that rent control inflicts."

The other side: Tenant advocates expressed disappointment but characterized the exemption as a minor and easily fixable error.

• "Rather than accept any restrictions on their ability to extract profits ... a few private equity-backed real estate investment corporations financed this lawsuit in a desperate attempt to avoid a ballot campaign they were set to lose," wrote Noemi "Mimi" Ramos, executive director of New England Community Project.

The bottom line: The ruling erases the leverage tenant groups held on Beacon Hill as they negotiated a compromise on a local "opt-in" rent cap program that could be adopted town by town.

Send to your landlord

The Celtics may need to mend fences with Jaylen Brown after reportedly including him in a blockbuster trade offer this week.

Why it matters: The Celtics' willingness to part with Brown is just the latest sign that his standing with the franchise has dipped after a first-round playoff collapse and rumors of dysfunction.

Driving the news: Late Monday, the Milwaukee Bucks traded superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat for a haul of picks and players.

• The Celtics were reportedly the other finalist vying for the "Greek Freak," having offered Brown and two first-round picks, per ESPN.

Catch up quick: Brown was a contender for league MVP last season, taking on a larger role because running mate Jayson Tatum was hurt.

• But Brown played poorly at times in the team's first-round series against the 76ers, which the Celtics lost after leading 3-1.
• Afterward, Brown irked fans by calling 2025-26 his "favorite season," despite the early playoff exit. (Brown won a championship with the Celtics in 2024 and was Finals MVP.)
• Also, Brown's advisor and former NBA great Tracy McGrady said on a podcast that Brown was "frustrated" with the Celtics.

Both Brown and Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens have insisted all is well between them.

• But reports suggest that Brown someday wants to lead his own team, rather than sharing the stage with Tatum.

What they're saying: In a live stream as trade speculation swirled, Brown said the negativity he'd seen online just adds "fuel to the fire."

• "To all the people that's doubting me, that ... want me gone or whatever: You're turning me into a monster."

What's next: Now that the basketball world knows Brown is available, other suitors are sure to emerge.

Share this story

🍺 Owners of the historic Jacob Wirth German beer hall announced the reopening and a $5.5 million restoration of the Stuart Street landmark, which has been dark since 2018. (Globe)

🎭 Two people were caught trying to enter Gillette Stadium during last Friday's Scotland-Morocco World Cup match using FIFA volunteer gear without valid credentials, according to Massachusetts State Police. (Boston.com)

⚖️ A Hingham District Court judge declined to extend a harassment prevention order against Brockton Mayor Moises Rodrigues, despite finding credible a 17-year-old's testimony that he touched her without consent at a May parade. (CBS Boston)

• The judge ruled the incident didn't meet the legal threshold.

A profound identity crisis has gripped America ahead of its 250th birthday: Citizens are less proud, less religiously unified and losing faith that the American Dream still works.

Why it matters: Democracies can survive policy brawls. They struggle to function when citizens lose faith in shared institutions, abandon a common civic story and use politics to replace religion and community.

• A new survey from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) finds that Americans are retreating into ideological camps, viewing the opposing side not as a political rival, but as threats to democracy itself.

The big picture: 51% of Americans say they are extremely or very proud of being American, down sharply from 82% in 2013.

• Less than half of Democrats believe that being born in America (42%), believing in God (41%) or being Christian (29%) are important to national identity.
• Majorities of Republicans say being born in America, believing in God and being Christian are important to being truly American.
• Americans are also split on the American Dream, with less than half believing that hard work gets you ahead. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, belief in the American Dream has fallen from 50% in 2024 to 36% today.

The bottom line: Only 18% of Americans are extremely or very proud of the way democracy is working in America today.

Share this story

"That just feels like the natural next progression for this love affair between Boston and the people of Scotland, doesn't it?"