Gov. Charlie Baker speaks in November. (Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed legislation spreading $626 million around the economy over the next five years and making it easier to build new housing, an area where Massachusetts has lagged behind other states.
Baker said the bill was strategically tailored during its drafting to respond to some of the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, Baker cited $40 million in the bill designed to revitalize underutilized properties.
The housing changes in the bill represent the first significant zoning reform in decades, Baker said in a letter alongside his signature, referring to authorization for zoning rule changes to be made by a majority vote of local boards rather than a two-thirds vote.
Gov. Charlie Baker on Thursday signed legislation spreading $626 million around the economy over the next five years and making it easier to build new housing, an area where Massachusetts has lagged behind other states.