View this email in your browser ([link removed])


** March 2025
------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

In light of recent events at the national level, it’s tempting to quote Shakespeare’s Richard III: “Now is the winter of our discontent.” Yes, we are being constantly bombarded with horrifying directives and actions by the current federal administration; yes, each nonsensical, unqualified cabinet pick is followed by one even more ludicrous; yes, we are afraid that proposed federal funding cuts are coming our way that will pose innumerable challenges across the Commonwealth only to pay for tax breaks to billionaires. And I have been asked every single day this past month by people all over Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket: What can I do to help? How do I keep from succumbing to despair?

Well, at the risk of sounding Pollyanna-ish, we need to remind ourselves of several things: one, how fortunate we are to be in Massachusetts; two, that the bevy of largely illegal executive actions are meant to overwhelm and put us in a perpetual state of outrage and we should see this clearly as a political strategy to disorient and claim power; and three, that we must focus our energies on the things within our control. Though February is the shortest month, I managed to spend time with and hear from so many Cape Codders and Islanders across our region — friends, neighbors, colleagues, young people, town leaders, municipal employees, teachers, medical professionals, volunteers — and one theme recurred: we in Massachusetts are going to continue to support, participate in and improve our communities no matter what. Indeed, in our own backyard is where we can have the greatest impact.

I’m thinking of the Nantucket high-school students who build sheds in their woodworking class to sell to community members at incredibly low prices. I’m thinking of my friends and neighbors in Provincetown and Falmouth who gathered on the steps of our beautiful town hall on a blustery Presidents’ Day to exercise their First Amendment rights of free speech and assembly to decry the actions of the current administration. I’m thinking of the parents and providers who filled the Pocasset community center with their voices on a frigid winter night to make sure mental health services remain available on the Cape (and it worked!). And I’m thinking of my colleagues in the Senate who voted unanimously in favor of increasing transparency and accountability for the Legislature so that we’re doing our part to be more accessible and accountable to you, the people we represent. When you spend as much time as I’m so fortunate to do with the very best people that Massachusetts (or any state for that
matter) has to offer, things don’t seem so dark after all.

As you’ll read, it’s been an especially busy month. I’ve been given an exciting opportunity to lead on the most pressing issue facing our Commonwealth — housing — and we’re tackling challenges in every corner of our district. I continue to remind myself that in the face of seemingly overwhelming antagonism, remaining calm is a form of resistance in itself. Nothing that is said or done in Washington can rob us of our calm persistence if we don’t let it. The trick is to keep focused on the good work we are doing here at home in the Commonwealth and on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

In solidarity,

Julian Cyr


** Updates & Newsroom
------------------------------------------------------------


** Appointed Senate Chair of Housing Committee!
------------------------------------------------------------

Just as February was wrapping up, we got one last bit of great news for our District – during her announcement of committee assignments for the 2025-2026 legislative session, Senate President Karen Spilka appointed me the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing.


From my very first days in the Senate eight years ago, housing has been my number one priority. As a lifelong resident of the Outer Cape, I have not only experienced housing insecurity myself over the years but have watched in dismay as friends, neighbors and beloved community members have been forced to leave the towns they love and call home due to the sharp decline in the availability and affordability of suitable year-round housing. This is a crisis I have watched unfold and worsen in real time over the last 20+ years, and I am so honored to be given the opportunity to confront this generational issue head-on.


This is a significant win for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. My role as Housing Chair provides a critical opportunity to advance policies that will increase housing stock at a time when the Commonwealth is over 220,000 units short of what is needed in the next decade. My co-chair in the House, Representative Rich Haggerty (D-Woburn), and we have our work cut out for us.

This role as Housing Chair is a huge opportunity—not just for Cape Cod and the Islands, but for the entire Commonwealth—as we work to make big strides on the housing crisis. But my work doesn’t stop there.

In addition, I will continue serving as Assistant Majority Whip, a leadership position within Senate President Karen Spilka’s team that allows me to help shape our legislative agenda and ensure that the voices of the Cape and Islands are heard loud and clear on Beacon Hill. As the only Millennial in Senate leadership, I’m committed to bringing a fresh perspective to the challenges we face, from housing to health care to climate resilience.

Beyond the Joint Committee on Housing, I’ll also serve as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, a committee I previously led, and as a member of the Joint Committees on Health Care Financing; Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery; Racial Equity, Civil Rights and Inclusion; and Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. These appointments will allow me to continue pushing for policies that make a real difference in the lives of Cape Codders and Islanders.

Housing Committee Gets New Senate Chair ([link removed]) - State House News


** Cyr Tapped to Lead Statewide Housing Efforts ([link removed]) - The Inquirer and Mirror
------------------------------------------------------------


** Cape and Islands Lawmakers Looking Forward to Their Committee Assignments ([link removed]) - CapeCod.com
------------------------------------------------------------


** Listen to This
------------------------------------------------------------

Pat Desmaris Show ([link removed])

"If MAGA Republicans are successful in what they want to do from a budget perspective, it is going to be catastrophic for so many vulnerable people... Cuts to Medicaid, cuts to SNAP, cuts to other crucial benefits, to do that to give the ultra-rich, multimillionaires and billionaires, even greater tax cuts, is just not right and sinful.”

Home Insurance on the Cape, Coast and Islands ([link removed])

Why are home insurance rates going up so quickly? Why does our region have one of the highest non-renewal rates in the country, and what are the short- and long-term implications of this trend?
We assembled a panel of folks on The Point to take those questions and strategize on what can be done to slow or stop the trend: Cape and Islands State Senator Julian Cyr, State Representative David LeBoeuf from the 17th Worcester District and Massachusetts Division of Insurance ([link removed]) Commissioner Michael Caljouw.

Whaler Word ([link removed]) - February 20, 2025

“The housing crisis here has been a problem for over 20 years. The pandemic really put that crisis on steroids. And so we saw housing values on the island just in the last five years increase over 160%. It’s really to the point where most all people living here year-round who don’t yet own a home or are going to inherit a home are going to need some sort of support to live here.”


** News from around the District
------------------------------------------------------------

Boston Globe Endorses STUDY Act ([link removed])

Several cellphone-related bills have been introduced in the Legislature, including the “STUDY Act” — a joint effort led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell and several legislators, including state Senator Julian Cyr and state Representatives Alice Hanlon Peisch and Kate Lipper-Garabedian. Their bill would impose a bell-to-bell ban on cellphones in schools statewide.

State Senate Wants to Diversify Art ([link removed])

“Now more than ever, the art that adorns the halls of the State House should reflect who we are as a Commonwealth and embody the values of Massachusetts,” Cyr, a Provincetown Democrat, said in a statement. “I am thrilled and honored to lead a renewed Senate Art Committee, one that will work to expand inclusivity and representation in the art that beautifies the State House.”

Senate Vets In-Chamber Artwork Honoring Women ([link removed])

"As we solicit submissions for a sculpture of a trailblazing woman to join the all-male busts in the Senate chamber, I am eager to see the remarkable women that will be put forward for consideration," Sen. Julian Cyr, the committee's chair, said in a statement ahead of Wednesday's meeting.

Cyr: Scheduled appointments for vehicle inspections coming to Nantucket ([link removed])

“We’re trying to think creatively with both the town and MassDOT about how we further problem solve on the island. We are keenly aware of the issue,” Cyr said.

Two Cape lawmakers split over emergency shelter costs and safety provisions ([link removed])

“Cape Cod has become more and more unaffordable, we’re increasingly reliant on an immigrant workforce,” he said.

While acknowledging the financial strain, Cyr said “this is the program that has always been funded from the budget, but the costs are significantly higher than they typically are. We haven’t cut any programs across the state government to continue to fund the EA program.

“But what we’re trying to do is to work towards a sustainable EA shelter program that operates within our fiscal constraints and is everything we can to keep families with small children from sleeping on the streets.”

Outer Cape Prepares for Federal Ruling on HIV Prevention Meds ([link removed])

If the Supreme Court were to strike down the coverage requirement, “in Massachusetts, we have some inoculation,” Cyr told the Independent last week. “We’re going to watch this case closely and make sure that Massachusetts law is responsive to whatever outcome occurs.”

After the Texas court’s ruling in 2023, Cyr worked with a group of other senators to replicate federal requirements for preventive care in the state budget. “Massachusetts has the ability to guarantee coverage in our Medicaid program as well as commercial insurance that is regulated by the state,” Cyr said. The state has less leverage over Medicare and certain retirement plans, which are governed by federal standards, he said.

Cyr Speaks to CLAMS Members About ‘Right to Read’ Bill ([link removed])

Cyr told the Independent after the luncheon that the right to read bill he co-sponsored “is about having a uniform set of policies,” adding, “if there’s going to be a book challenge, we’re asking that it be under the scrutiny of review.”

“At this sad moment where hate and fear are driving too many policies across the nation, Massachusetts must continue to champion freedom of expression and the right to read,” Cyr said. “We’re home to the nation’s first public library and first public school. We’ve long appreciated that unabridged access to knowledge is key to opportunity.”

Cyr said the legislation he has proposed wouldn’t explicitly protect against federal attempts to restrict information. At the same time, he said, because Massachusetts libraries are almost entirely funded at the state and local levels, it’s unlikely that a lack of federal funding will interfere with residents’ access to books.

Opening up uncertainty ([link removed])

With the growing turbulence of the insurance market in recent years, federal and local lawmakers are starting to take notice.

Cape and Islands state Sen. Julian Cyr, who has heard from his constituents on the issue, said that part of the problem comes back to rising housing costs in the region. Coupled with inflation and higher building costs, the increased property values indicate to insurers that fixing damages will be more expensive. And the more expensive a home is, the more it costs to insure.

But Cyr also notes that the system in place is decades old and requires updating. He filed legislation in January that is intended to foster a competitive private insurance market. The bill, if it becomes law, will require set rules for policy cancellation, non-renewal notices, and conditions for lending institutions to notify borrowers about flood risks.

“We need to ensure that we have a fair and robust insurance market in Massachusetts that is not taking advantage of consumers,” Cyr said. “But this problem is larger than just the insurance market and is also being driven by a human-made climate crisis that we have been slow to address from a national and a global perspective.”

Islanders rally for protections, fear economic impact of Trump policies ([link removed])

State Senator Julian Cyr, a Democrat from Provincetown who represents the Islands, said that it’s unclear if ICE agents under the Trump administration will be targeting only criminals who are undocumented on the Vineyard. And he acknowledges the impacts that could have on Island businesses into the future.

“This is but one of the many adverse consequences that Islanders and Cape Codders are going to see from a federal administration that is hell-bent on executing an extremist agenda,” Cyr said. “This will upend lives and instill fear. I’m afraid this is the start of what will be a very difficult period for many in the region and in the country.”

Vineyard Wind lighting system coming online next week ([link removed])

State Rep. Thomas Moakley, and State Sen. Julian Cyr visited the island and gave an update on the vehicle inspection situation, housing court and the Christmas Stroll power outage.

Cyr said the state is aware of the inspection issue, the extremely long wait times given there is only one inspection station, and is trying to figure out how to have more sustainable options.

“It’s not an acceptable solution to have to take your car off-island,” Cyr said. “This issue is on our agenda and we are trying to find different solutions.”

Moakley and Cyr also said they are introducing a bill that would establish a housing court that would sit in Nantucket and Dukes counties.

Future Is Unclear for Wind Leases off Cape Cod ([link removed])

Cyr said that a rollback of federal tax credits would hurt wind energy development both offshore and onshore — including in red states such as Iowa, which generates more than half its electricity from wind. Senators and representatives from those states might be reluctant to cancel the renewable energy credits, he said.

Cyr also said that the long timeline for offshore wind developments could work in favor of the Gulf of Maine projects.

“These projects are about 15 years out or more,” Cyr said. When it comes to wind power, four years doesn’t necessarily mean forever.

Nantucket awarded $119,400 in habitat restoration grants ([link removed])

“I think we can all agree that one of the most enjoyable aspects of living in Massachusetts is the pure natural beauty of our commonwealth. Restoring 520 acres of wildlife habitat, ranging from the stunning Caroline Tuthill Preserve in Edgartown to the pine barrens of Nantucket, is not only an investment in biodiversity but also in the future of Massachusetts’ ecosystems,” said state Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Cape & Islands).

“As we face increasing threats from climate change, it is critical that we protect and enhance our gorgeous landscapes that support at-risk species, bolster outdoor recreation and ensure our natural resources are resilient for generations to come. The collaborative work of conservation organizations, municipalities and private landowners, along with this important funding, will help us meet our ambitious climate and biodiversity goals.”

Senate Session Summary ([link removed])

CAPE COD YMCA GUESTS: Sen. Cyr ascended the rostrum and introduced guests from the young achievers program of the Cape Cod YMCA. (Applause)

Sen. Creem said, You deserve an extra round of applause for coming all the way to Boston. (Applause)

Vacation home trends add to Massachusetts housing crunch ([link removed])

It’s something of a riff on the state’s Gateway Communities designation, said state Sen. Julian Cyr, who represents the Cape and Islands and championed the policy, in that municipalities with common histories and conundrums can get targeted policy and funding support.

“It’s applying that framework to towns with high vacancy rates and fluctuating populations,” Cyr said of seasonal communities. In a state where many local initiatives need buy-in from an entire state Legislature, Cyr describes the seasonal communities program as crafting a “toolkit, so that towns do not have to go through the home-rule process” if they want to start housing subsidy programs or impose deed restrictions that would require year-round rentals.


** LEGISLATIVE CORNER
------------------------------------------------------------


** An Update From Beacon Hill
------------------------------------------------------------

Rules & Transparency

This last month, the Senate took significant steps to increase transparency and accountability in our legislative process. These changes will make it easier for all of us to track bills, understand decisions, and engage with their government. We have heard your concerns about transparency, and that’s why we’re making these updates—simple, common-sense changes to make it easier for people to follow what’s happening on Beacon Hill.

The Senate passed a comprehensive Rules package for the 2025 – 2026 legislative session which proposes new Rules for the Senate in addition to new Joint Rules shared by both the House and the Senate. The Senate Rules govern how the Massachusetts Senate operates internally, including how committee votes are recorded, how testimony is made public, and what training members must complete. These rules apply only to the Senate and ensure transparency and efficiency within our chamber.

Joint Rules, on the other hand, apply to both the Senate and the House of Representatives and regulate how the two chambers work together. These rules address processes like how joint committees function, how bills move through both chambers, and how public hearings are scheduled. While the Senate has passed its own Joint Rules proposal, this legislation – like any other bill - must be reconciled with the House’s proposal before taking effect. The House’s Rules package reflects differences in priorities and approaches to transparency, legislative deadlines, and procedural oversight.

Here is what’s coming:

✅ Public Access to Committee Votes & Testimony
For the first time, all Senate votes taken in Senate and joint committees—as well as testimony submitted to your Senator—will be made public, so you can see better how decisions are made on Beacon Hill.

✅ Plain-English Summaries for Bills
Every bill in committee will now include a summary written by the bill’s sponsor, giving the public an easier way to understand proposed legislation without digging through dense legal language.

✅ More Transparency in the Budget Process
The Senate will publicly post summaries of major bills before they are debated, making it easier to understand what the Senate is voting on.

✅ More Time for Public Review of Key Bills
New rules require at least 24 hours between when a final conference committee agreement is filed and when it can be voted on, ensuring lawmakers and the public have more time to review important legislation.

✅ Remote Voting for Senators

To ensure every senator can fully participate in the legislative process, we’re maintaining remote voting options for senators managing family obligations and meeting with constituents in every part of the state.

At the end of the last session, there was a lot of conversation about how things got done, but not so much about what actually was passed. While there were bumps along the road, this past session was historically productive.

We passed the most significant tax cut in a generation, made a historic $4 billion investment in housing, strengthened Massachusetts’ gun laws, passed major climate and economic development bills, made community college free for everyone in the Commonwealth, invested billions to make childcare more affordable, and made free school meals available to all students. We also tackled healthcare costs by capping prescription drug prices and taking steps to prevent another Steward hospital crisis. These are just a few of the big wins that will make a real difference in people’s lives.

That said, we know there’s always room to improve. These reforms will help ensure that important decisions are more accessible to the public while still allowing us to move forward on the big issues that matter most. We’ll keep working to make our government as open and effective as possible.

Emergency Assistance Shelter Funding

Also in February, the Legislature took decisive action to support families in crisis by passing a $425 million supplemental budget to fund and reform the emergency assistance shelter system. It is important to note that funding for the emergency assistance (EA) shelter system is traditionally included in the budget and that this program and the supplemental budget are not taking away money from any other state programs. The bill adds cost controls and reporting mechanisms to ensure the state responsibly uses taxpayer dollars, while continuing to fund a system that serves Massachusetts families with children in crisis.

The EA program results from a 1983 Massachusetts law that ensures unhoused families are sheltered and don’t sleep on the streets. This law is known as the "right to shelter" law and applies exclusively to families with children and pregnant people; families must have legal status in the United States to receive EA shelter. The dual housing and migrant humanitarian crises have strained the EA program for more than two years, pushing the system to a breaking point.

In this supplemental budget, which Governor Healey has since signed, we took steps to ensure fiscal responsibility by including new guidelines intended to control costs and increase safety. The system will now be implementing clearer eligibility standards, limiting the length of stays, strengthening oversight, phasing out the use of hotels and motels for emergency housing, while providing hardship exemptions for those most in need, we can ensure viability of this critical safety net while living within our means. Our work isn’t done, but these changes mark a critical step toward long-term solutions for homelessness in our state.

Bill Spotlights:

As promised, I’ll highlight some of our priority legislation during the next few newsletters. Please revisit our February newsletter to read more about the bill filing process and the flurry of work that awaits at the beginning of each new legislative session!

An Act to protect Massachusetts public health from PFAS ([link removed])

I refiled this omnibus PFAS legislation – aka the Massachusetts PFAS Act - that aims to strengthen our state’s efforts to eliminate these harmful "forever chemicals" from our water, air, and consumer products. This bill will phase out non-essential uses of PFAS in enumerated types of consumer products, expands testing for contamination, and supports communities struggling with PFAS pollution, specifically regarding contaminated drinking water, groundwater, and soil. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to serious health risks, including cancer and immune system harm. By taking decisive action now, we can safeguard public health, hold polluters accountable, and ensure clean(er) water for every Massachusetts resident.

PFAS contamination is a growing public health crisis, and Massachusetts must take bold action to protect our residents. Representative Kate Hogan, of Stow, and I filed this legislation for the first time last session, following our work chairing an interagency PFAS task force that explored the impact of PFAS in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts PFAS Act incorporates the task force’s policy recommendations to better protect our residents from this growing public health crisis. Last session, Massachusetts took a critical first step in this effort by banning PFAS in firefighting gear. I look forward to continuing this important work with my friend and colleague Rep. Hogan in this new legislative session.

An Act relative to private flood insurance ([link removed])

I’ve heard from many constituents that we need better, cheaper flood insurance in Massachusetts. Flood insurance is essential for homes on Cape Cod and the Islands due to the region’s high vulnerability to coastal flooding, storm surges, and rising sea levels. Many properties are located in federally designated flood zones, where storm-driven tides and extreme weather events - such as nor’easters and hurricanes - pose a constant threat. As climate change accelerates, these risks are only increasing, with more frequent and severe coastal flooding endangering homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

Standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage, making flood insurance a critical safeguard to help property owners recover from devastating storms. For those with federally backed mortgages in high-risk flood zones, flood insurance is also often a requirement. Even homes outside of designated flood zones can be at risk, and having coverage ensures financial protection against costly repairs and rebuilding efforts.

However, private flood insurance companies are currently reluctant to enter the market in Massachusetts because we don’t have an adequate statutory framework for this vital industry. I wrote and filed An Act relative to private flood insurance in order to create that legal framework that would entice more insurance companies to enter the market and thus increase the availability of flood insurance in Massachusetts.

An Act to promote climate resilient homes  ([link removed])

This session, I also wrote and filed An Act to promote climate resilient homes, which seeks to create the Strengthen Massachusetts Homes Program, a grant program that would be administered by the Division of Insurance. This grant program would offer financial support to homeowners who take measures to make their homes more resilient to climate change. The goal of such a program is to mitigate climate risks, protect vulnerable properties – including many in my district – and to reduce financial losses. Massachusetts is seeing increasingly destructive weather, with the Cape & Islands being particularly exposed to the effects of climate change. In regions such as ours, the installation of storm shutters, roof straps, and other mitigating features significantly enhance a home's overall structural stability during extreme weather events. This bill seeks to help homeowners across Massachusetts, but particularly on the Cape & Islands, with the financial costs associated with such mitigation
efforts.

An Act relative to modern family building ([link removed])

I also refiled SD1477, An Act relative to modern family building, which seeks to expand access to fertility care and family-building options for all Massachusetts residents. Right now, the mandated coverage for fertility treatment leaves too many loopholes and requires care only for those who have been trying to get pregnant for a specified period of time. The current law gives no consideration to couples who cannot get pregnant without medical intervention. This bill would ensure that insurance plans cover a wide spectrum of fertility treatments and would expand the criteria to qualify for such treatment. An Act relative to modern family building would update Massachusetts’ definition of infertility to mirror that from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine – the global leader in reproductive medicine – that captures same sex couples and other folks whose unique medical and sexual histories have made it difficult to get pregnant on their own. This legislation also introduces
cultural competency measures and trainings for health care providers involved in reproductive medicine so they can better support LGBTQ+ couples who want to expand their families. Parenthood should not be limited by outdated policies or financial barriers; this legislation takes a crucial step toward making family-building more equitable and accessible for everyone in Massachusetts.


** Senate Art Committee
------------------------------------------------------------


** You Can’t Be What You Can’t See
------------------------------------------------------------

Senate President Karen Spilka has appointed me to chair the newly reconstituted Senate Art Committee, tasked with ensuring that the art and symbols in the Senate better reflect the people of Massachusetts.

The portraits, murals, and sculptures that line the halls of the State House tell a story—but too often, that story has left out many of the communities and individuals who have shaped our Commonwealth. The work of this committee will be to expand representation and inclusivity in the art that adorns our historic building. As an LGBTQ+ person, I know firsthand the power of seeing yourself reflected in spaces of influence, and I am eager to help reshape the narrative told through the art in the Senate. I’m grateful to Senate President Spilka for her leadership in championing a more complete and representative history of Massachusetts.

Our first order of business: selecting a woman to be honored with a bust in the Senate Chamber. This will be the first bust of a woman to take a permanent place alongside those of Douglass, Washington, and Franklin, and only the third piece of art in the Senate recognizing a woman leader, joining portraits of Abigail Adams and former Senate President Therese Murray. Across the entire State House, it will be just the twenty-second permanent piece of art honoring a woman.

Once selected, this sculpture will stand in a chamber where women now hold unprecedented leadership—from the Senate President to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, U.S. Senator, and three Congresswomen, to the Mayor of Boston. It will overlook a space where women serve as senators, staff, and advocates, and where thousands of women visit each year as community leaders, students and sightseers.

The Senate Art Committee includes:
* Senator Julian Cyr, Chair (me!)
* Senator Bruce Tarr, Senate Minority Leader
* Senator Lydia Edwards
* Senator Pavel Payano
* L’Merchie Frazier, Art Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
* Lynda Hartigan, Peabody Essex Museum
* Susan Cross, Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art
* Maggie Scott, Museum of Fine Arts

This work is long overdue, and I look forward to the conversations, decisions, and artwork that will help make the State House a more inclusive reflection of our shared history.

State Senate Wants to Diversify Art ([link removed]) - Boston Globe

East Coast Legislators Housing Roundtable

As the month came to a close, the ever-pressing issue of housing drew me from the Cape to Beacon Hill. There, I co-hosted 35 legislators from the Northeast and multiple subject matter experts to discuss urban and suburban planning, homelessness, zoning reform, and financing housing development at the Council of State Governments East Housing Summit.


The summit provided policy option and discussion of the most pressing challenges we face in moving our own states in the right direction to ensure housing for all. The clearest takeaway for me was that while we often strive to lead the way in Massachusetts with policies that set the standard for the nation to follow, we should never forget to look outwards and take up the solutions that others are using successfully. Good policy is good policy, no matter where it comes from, and if it will help Cape Cod, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Massachusetts as a whole, then I am all ears.


Housing for All Caucus

We kicked off the first meeting of this legislative session's Housing for All Caucus with a meet and greet featuring the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, Ed Augustus. Legislators and staff gathered to hear about and discuss the Healey-Driscoll Administration's comprehensive housing plan. This plan outlines strategies to reduce costs and increase production by 222,000 units by 2035. This ambitious initiative establishes goalposts for the policies that Massachusetts will need to implement to address our housing crisis. It’s always rewarding when conversations like this lead to collaboration and partnerships on policies that are poised to make a significant difference in our state, making the work to organize these meetings well worth it.

Implementing Maternal Health Law

The League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area invited me to a virtual forum, The Massachusetts Maternal Health “Momnibus” Law: What It means for the Cape and Commonwealth, to explore the background, emerging initiatives, policies, and services contained in the recently enacted law promoting midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options. Prior to being elected State Senator for the Cape and Islands, I worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and since my first term I have always had a seat on the Joint Committee of Public Health, including chairing the committee during the last legislative session. All that is to say, women’s health and healthcare has always been a primary focus of my career, and as the uncle to a five-month-old niece and slightly older nephew, it matters more than ever to me that we support mothers, young families and newborns.



** LATEST EVENTS
------------------------------------------------------------


** From the District & Beyond!
------------------------------------------------------------

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Saving Pocasset Mental Health Center

You may have heard by now that on February 24, Governor Healey pulled back on plans to close two state-run healthcare facilities, including Pocasset Mental Health Center. What you probably didn’t hear, unless you’re one of the people in the above photo, was the unique blend of urgency and gratitude in the voices of the Cape Codders whose lives were forever changed for the better by the in-patient care provided at Pocasset. On February 11, the Pocasset Community Center was filled to overflowing with community members who insisted that their elected officials listen up. One after the other, people stood at the mic to deliver testimonials of sons, daughters, and in some cases, themselves, having received life-saving care at Pocasset through the years. On paper, the 16 beds at Pocasset might not seem like very many, but it is only one of two in-patient mental health facilities on the Cape. Losing 16 in-patient beds in our underserved region is just not acceptable to the community, and they made
their voices heard loud and clear. We need more mental health services, not fewer. When people choose to show up for what they care about most and raise their voices in unison, real change can happen. Kudos to my colleagues Sen. Dylan Fernandes and Rep. David Vieira for spearheading this critical advocacy.

Rep. Moakley, Rep. Xiarhos, me, Sheriff Donna Buckley, Sen. Fernandes, Rep. Vieira, Falmouth Delegate to Barnstable County Dan Gessen

It is also a testament to my hard-working Cape and Islands colleagues on both sides of the aisle for organizing the event and making sure it was packed and that everyone who wanted to speak had the chance. We don’t all always agree on everything, but we do show up for each other, work incredibly well together, and get a lot done. Washington should take note.

Select Board Meetings

Wellfleet Select Board Appearance with Rep. Luddy

During a recent visit to the Wellfleet Select Board, I was pleased to appear alongside Hadley Luddy, who has hit the ground running in her new role. Wellfleet was my first Select Board visit alongside Rep. Luddy, who is introducing herself to each town’s BOS in the 4th Barnstable District.

A key focus of our discussion was housing and the impact of the newly established Seasonal Communities Designation, which provides essential tools for preserving and developing year-round housing. This new law will help local workers and families continue to live in the communities they sustain. A crucial component is the Year-Round Housing Trust, which enables towns to invest in housing solutions without needing home rule petitions. This trust is designed to support middle-income workers—teachers, first responders, and healthcare professionals—who do not qualify for traditional affordable housing yet struggle in the seasonal market. In Wellfleet, the Maurice’s Campground project will add significant new housing, setting an example for the scale of solutions needed, while the Lawrence Road project will further contribute to increasing year-round housing availability. With the flexibility and speed that the Year-Round Housing Trust provides, towns will be better equipped to address the
housing crisis.

Eastham Select Board Appearance with Rep. Luddy

Once again accompanied by Rep. Luddy, I joined a meeting of the Eastham Select Board. We provided an update on seasonal communities, engagement with the Cape Cod National Seashore, and wastewater financing. We walked into the meeting as public comment was winding down, and the phrase of the day at public comment was “property tax exemption.” If I had to guess, the last few people who called in are second (or third or fourth) homeowners in Eastham who don’t think it’s fair that year-round residents pay less in property taxes than do part-time residents. We can agree to disagree. As I’ve always said, if you’d like the year-round resident RTE, become a year-round resident. We love when civic-minded, good people become a more integrated part of our communities out here.

Nantucket Select Board Appearance with Rep. Moakley

Even though all the towns of Cape Cod and the Islands share many similar concerns – the lack of housing, the rising cost of living, coastal resilience, wastewater management – they are at the same time distinct in their needs. Rep. Thomas Moakley and I joined the Nantucket Select Board to provide a legislative update and hear directly from select board members about the unique issues facing the Island – because in the case of Nantucket, any problem you can imagine on the mainland is exacerbated on an island.

Take something as seemingly routine as car inspections. There’s only one location on all of Nantucket that performs this mandatory screening of motor vehicles, and that location does not take appointments (yet; see Press Clips). Due to limited space on the Island, it is not possible to merely create new sites for this service out of thin air. We all had to put on our thinking caps together to envision creative solutions to this conundrum. This is an ongoing discussion that has only just begun.

We updated the Select Board on Governor Healey’s attempt to declare a state of emergency for the December power outage in order to help small businesses as well as the newly minted Seasonal Communities designation for the island. Nantucket has always led the way by being the first town in the Cape and Islands to create a year-round housing trust, and much of what we hope to implement in other local towns is very much informed by the incredible foresight Islanders here have displayed.

Another issue that’s been frustrating residents: for the past 15 months, Vineyard Wind’s offshore turbines have been lighting up the night sky, despite the 2020 Good Neighbor Agreement between the company and the island outlining a plan to keep the evening sky over Nantucket as dark and clear as possible. This is unacceptable. But sometimes, people need a friendly reminder to be a good neighbor, even if it’s already in writing. I have been in communication with Vineyard Wind about this issue throughout the year, and in anticipation of the Select Board meeting, I made a call to them and was happy to relay to board members that Vineyard Wind’s Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS), which will ensure turbine lights only come on at night when absolutely necessary (when a plane is coming in after dark; fewer than 50 flights a year are expected to interact with the ADLS, accounting for a cumulative five hours of light over a whole year if traditional air patterns continue) is coming online
imminently. Vineyard Wind is testing the devices this week, and you can learn more and follow progress here:

Vineyard Wind Testing Aircraft Detection Lighting System ([link removed])

Beyond the lights, it is imperative that our offshore wind companies and their sites remain good neighbors to the communities they serve and deliver power to. In the future, as we wean ourselves off of fossil fuels as our primary source of energy, we will turn more and more to renewable sources like wind, solar and hydro power. These partnerships need to be a two-way street. I’ll keep pushing to ensure that the commitments made to our communities are upheld.

There Once Was a Day on Nantucket...

You didn’t think Rep. Moakley and I went all that way just to attend a Select Board meeting, did you? We made a whole day of it, and what a gorgeous day it was to be on Island.

As soon as we got off the ferry we were greeted by Nantucket Sheriff Jim Perelman. What a kind, pleasant surprise! I highly encourage everyone to start their workday with a friendly, familiar face.

The morning began with a visit to Nantucket High School. Rep. Moakley and I appeared as guests on Whaler Word, a YouTube morning news program hosted by two ace students and star athletes. One of the show’s hosts had been stuck in Hyannis the night before due to canceled ferries after an away-game to the mainland, but we had a great chat with Vicky (Watch here: Whaler Word ([link removed]) ). She didn’t take it easy on us and asked some pretty serious questions about housing affordability, climate change, renewable energy, and the importance of remaining engaged in current events.

After Whaler Word, Principal Mandy Hilemn took us on a tour of some of the classes that were in session. Classes we stopped in to chat with included woodworking (I mean it, I want one of these sheds!), the automotive shop, the nursing program, the culinary class, and even a course on financial planning and management. I wanted to stay and enroll in all of them! It was like an entire civilization in one building. These students are receiving an excellent education and will have a running start when they begin their professional and adult lives.

After visiting with some of Nantucket’s youngest residents we headed for the Saltmarsh Senior Center to have lunch with some community members who are on the other end of the spectrum of lived experience. In addition to tasty, nutritious meals, Saltmarsh is also known for serving up lots of opportunities to socialize and make friends. If we didn’t have other appointments, we would’ve stayed for bingo and mahjong. Maybe next time!

After lunch, we stopped by Island institution Roast’d General Store for some coffee to power us through the rest of the afternoon. We met owner Jon Zack whose store is about to open another location on Island. Congratulations Jon!

Once we were adequately caffeinated, we paid a visit to Our Island Home skilled-nursing facility. Their team showed us building plans for their proposed new site. Our Island Home is the last municipally owned and operated skilled nursing facility in Massachusetts. Nantucket voters will decide at Town Meeting this spring whether to fund the new nursing home.

From there we skipped over to the Land & Water Council to discuss the removal of PFAS from well water.

After a productive discussion with the Land & Water Council, Rep. Moakley and I provided a legislative update and took questions during our visit with the Select Board (see Select Board Meetings).

2025 Delegation Meetings

Cape Cod Disability Network

The Cape Cod Disabilities Network (CCDN) provides essential services to individuals with developmental and physical disabilities across the Cape, Islands, and South Coast. The Cape and Islands legislative delegation and I met with representatives from CCDN, including leaders from Cape Abilities, Community Connections, LIFE Inc., and Latham Centers. We were also joined by the Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled (CORD), who shared their perspectives on the challenges facing the disability service sector.

These organizations are among the largest employers in our region, but they are struggling with workforce shortages due to low wages and the lack of affordable housing. The median hourly wage for direct care workers remains $20, making it difficult to attract and retain staff. Some organizations, such as Latham Centers, have begun purchasing homes in Brewster and Barnstable to provide housing for their staff, ensuring they can continue serving clients without disruption.

Supporting our Community Health Centers


Community health centers are the backbone of our region’s healthcare system, providing critical services to thousands of Cape Codders and Islanders. The Cape and Islands Delegation and I recently met with representatives from Duffy Health Center, Community Health Center of Cape Cod, Harbor Health, Island Health Care, and Outer Cape Health Services to discuss the challenges they face and how we can advocate for them on Beacon Hill.


During the meeting, we addressed federal threats to funding, including catastrophic proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the uncertainty surrounding 340B pharmacy reimbursements—an essential revenue stream for these health centers. Workforce shortages remain a pressing issue, with centers struggling to recruit and retain primary care providers. Yet, despite these challenges, our community health centers continue to innovate and expand their services. Island Health Care, for example, recently opened a much-needed dental center on Martha’s Vineyard, while Outer Cape Health Services has become a national leader in sexual health programming and now offers endocrinology and dermatology services.


We also heard firsthand about the life-saving work these centers do every day. One patient story shared at the meeting highlighted how a navigator at Outer Cape Health Services was able to recognize alarming post-delivery symptoms in a Creole-speaking patient and ensure she received emergency care—potentially saving her life. This is just one example of why preserving Medicare and Medicaid is critical to supporting the financial health of these centers and the patients who rely on them.


I will always champion policies that strengthen our federally qualified health centers. To that end, this session I filed legislation to address primary care access and financial stability. I’m grateful to the health center leaders who joined us and to my colleagues in the Delegation for their continued commitment to health equity.

No Kings on Presidents’ Day Weekend

Over Presidents’ Day long weekend, I addressed gatherings of Cape Codders in Harwich, Eastham and Provincetown. I talked about how the current moment is designed to overwhelm and disorient us; how this is part of a political strategy; and how I’m tapping into ‘calm as a form of resistance.’”


In these speeches, I shared a concept I’ve been thinking about from Naomi Klein’s Doppelganger, which explores polarization and the meaning found within. Klein writes about calm as a force of resistance—an anchor in a world of relentless chaos. When people and societies are in a state of shock, Klein writes, they lose their sense of identity and direction. But calm fosters focus, clarity, and the ability to organize. When confronted with hostility and fearmongering, staying grounded is an act of defiance.


I know that people up and down the Cape and Islands are scared. They are already fed up (and it’s only been a few weeks!). They feel powerless in the face of such vitriolic tomfoolery. But I urge everyone to remember that now is not the time to put our heads in the sand. As maddening as it can be to continue to pay attention when everything that’s going on at the national level seems to be intentionally headache-inducing, we have to stick together through the times that aren’t so good. Now more than ever, we must stand firm, support each other, and continue fighting for a future where all people are treated with dignity and respect. We’ve got each other, so we’ve got this.

Elsewhere in the District

Lower Cape Outreach Council

Representative Hadley Luddy joined me on a brisk February afternoon visit to our friends at the Lower Cape Outreach Council (LCOC) in Orleans. The mission of the LCOC is a critical one: to help those in our communities who most need it. In addition to distributing food from their nine town pantries, LCOC is also a great resource to help families keep their heat and utilities running during the most difficult months. It brings me great pride to work with an organization that does so much good for the towns of the Lower and Outer Cape.


Thanks to funding former Representative Sarah Peake and I helped secure for them, LCOC is currently sporting this fantastic new refrigerated truck to aid in their food delivery efforts!

Youth Climate Action Summit


Early this month, I had the opportunity to speak at the Cape Cod Youth Climate Action Summit, where students from across the region gathered to discuss the most pressing environmental challenges facing our communities.


With coastal resilience as the theme of the day, I spoke about the reality Cape Cod and the Islands face—rising sea levels, stronger storms, and a rapidly warming ocean. The Atlantic waters off our shores are warming three times faster than the global average, threatening marine life, fisheries, and coastal infrastructure. While the Commonwealth has made record investments in climate resilience and renewable energy, government action alone won’t be enough. We need local leadership, smart planning, and strong advocacy to protect our way of life.


I also shared my own path to public service—growing up on the Outer Cape, getting involved in advocating for local schools, and stepping into leadership at a young age. The truth is, young people are trusted voices but too often unheard in the halls of local government. I urged students to stay engaged—to show up at town meetings, push for policies that safeguard our environment, and help shape the future of their communities.


The next generation will decide what Cape Cod looks like in the years ahead. Their leadership, passion, and persistence will be key to ensuring that our region remains a place where people can live, work, and thrive for generations to come.

The Tribal Council of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)

Rep. Thomas Moakley and I joined a meeting of the tribal council of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) as invited guests. I emphasized to tribal leaders my commitment to tribal sovereignty, self-governance, and fair representation in regional decision-making. I updated the tribal council on my bill S.251: An Act Relative to Indigenous Representation on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission. Though this bill was passed without amendment by the Senate last session, it unfortunately stalled in the House. I have refiled the bill this session with renewed urgency so it may move through the legislative process more expeditiously and arrive at the House with ample time for their consideration. The bill aims to:
*
+ Ensures that the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has designated representation on the Martha’s Vineyard Commission (MVC).
*
+ Recognizes the Tribe’s historic, environmental, and cultural ties to the region.
*
+ Enhances the MVC’s ability to make land use, environmental, and planning decisions that incorporate Indigenous perspectives.

I have to add here that it is an absolute delight to discuss climate change and the stewarding of our fragile environment with people who not only get it but have been stewards of this special place for far longer than any of us. Thank you again to Chairwoman Cheryl Andrews-Maltais and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) for your time, care, and knowledge.

GAYLA!

For more than twenty years, the First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist has thrown one of my favorite events of the entire winter, the Gayla Ball. This joyful dinner dance annually brings together the Cape-wide LGBTQ community and our allies to eat, dance and honor a person who has contributed to the LGBTQ+ community through leadership and advocacy. This year’s Skip Warren Community Service Award honored Ann Burke, RN, M.Ed. for her pioneering work on behalf of the Transgender community. Ann is Fenway Health’s Cape Cod Advocate in its Violence Recovery Program. She’s the founder of the Cape and Islands Transgender Social Support Group, established in 2018. In 2021, she also founded the non-profit Cape & Islands Trans Resource Fund, which provides financial support to members of the Transgender community. Congratulations Ann!

This year the ball was held at Margaritaville in Hyannis and the theme was Island Casual, Fabulous or Funky, and I think my sister Marissa and I nailed it!


Catching up with civil rights icons and Goodridge plaintiffs Linda and Gloria Bailey-Davies. They live in Orleans and were regular customers at my family's restaurant.

Remarkably, First Parish Brewster UU was the first church in the nation to be affirmed by the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (the UUA) as a “Welcoming Congregation,” completing a two-year program to examine homophobia and to become fully and joyfully welcoming of LGBTQ+ persons and affirming of LGBTQ+ relationships. We are so proud and lucky to now have so many Welcoming Congregations right here on Cape Cod.

Cape and Vineyard Solar Loan Kickoff in Yarmouth

As February came to a close, I joined local leaders and advocates to celebrate the launch of the Cape and Vineyard Solar Loan Program in Yarmouth.

Made possible by a $4.9 million loan from the USDA's Rural Energy Savings Program, this initiative, run by the Cape Light Compact and serviced through Cape Cod 5 Bank, will provide low-interest financing for year-round homeowners on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket looking to get access to roof-top solar. I am proud of the work I was able to do last session in creating opportunities for homeowners living in historic districts to install solar panels on their homes, and this low-cost financing option will be an opportunity for many residents to make this a reality.


Investment in renewable energy will be critical to addressing our region's climate goal and reducing our reliance on volatilely priced fossil fuels. Thanks to Cape Light Compact's leadership on this issue, I'm excited that residents of the Cape and Islands will be able to be part of the solution.

[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]

Copyright (C) 2025 State Senator Julian Cyr. All rights reserved.
Initial upload for the beginning of Senator Cyr's official office email list.
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences ([link removed]) or unsubscribe ([link removed])