SEN. LYDIA EDWARDS of East Boston apologized to Milton residents for comments she made earlier this month suggesting “the state has to crush Milton” for its failure to come into compliance with the MBTA Communities Law.

In a letter to the editor published in the Milton Times, Edwards apologized for her comments to Boston Globe columnist Adrian Walker. “In public discourse, it is not uncommon to encounter disagreements. These disagreements are often born out of our deep-seated beliefs and passions for the issues we care about. For me it’s housing, and assuring people have the dignity of choice of where to live. However, the measure of our character and professionalism is not in the fervor with which we hold our positions, but in the respect and civility with which we express them. In this instance, I failed to uphold these standards,” Edwards wrote.

She promised to disagree and debate in the future while doing so with mutual respect and understanding of others. “I can – and will – disagree without resorting to inconsiderate language,” she said.

The full quotation in Walker’s column was: “The state has to crush Milton. It’s zoning today, but what if it’s gun laws tomorrow? You can decide you just don’t feel like [following laws]? You don’t get to choose what laws you will follow.”

Milton voters in mid-February rejected a rezoning plan that has been approved at Town Meeting and would have brought the town into compliance with the MBTA Communities Law. The town is now being sued by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, with the case slated to go before the Supreme Judicial Court in October.