An energetic, visionary, and proven leader, Eric Lesser will partner with our next Governor to make sure she is the most successful in the country. Together, they will work on the biggest issue our state faces: the skyrocketing cost of living. Eric has a plan to fix our broken transportation system, build more housing, create better jobs, protect our environment, and make our state more affordable and equitable.
Eric understands that Massachusetts has so much going for it. But despite our Commonwealth’s considerable advantages, it’s harder and harder to live here. It’s too expensive – housing is out of control, transportation is unreliable, and childcare costs are crushing families. Meanwhile, small pockets of our state boom while entire regions are left behind. Our current situation doesn’t work: it creates skyrocketing prices and gridlock in some places, and vacuums jobs and opportunity from others.
Eric knows that housing lies at the root of so many of our challenges; not only is the ongoing housing crisis a disaster for affordability and equity, it is a massive drag on the entire state’s economic growth.
To confront the crisis, we need much more affordable, high-quality housing. Eric believes that we need more multi-family units – especially with easy access to public transportation – and that we need to step up rental assistance to prevent seniors and low-income people from being priced out of their own neighborhoods.
As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, Eric spearheaded negotiations on the most significant zoning reforms in a generation.
Eric crossed party lines and worked with Governor Baker to implement Housing Choice, which empowered local communities greater flexibility in making zoning changes. Moreover, tenants in public housing and recipients of rent assistance can now be elected to zoning boards.
The Gateway Cities Housing Program is supporting the construction of shovel-ready, market-rate, climate-resilient housing opportunities in our Gateway Cities.
Eric is a strong advocate for transit-oriented development: constructing homes with easy access to public transit. Thanks to his legislation, “MBTA communities” must now zone for multi-family housing, unlocking thousands of potential new units whose residents can benefit from the T.
The legislation doubled the low-income housing tax credit, bringing homeownership within reach of many more working families.
As a relentless advocate for West-East high-speed rail, Eric has highlighted how easy access to Western Massachusetts can alleviate the extreme demand for housing in Greater Boston. By making regions work together, we can help everyone.