A Monthly Newsletter from Senator Julian Cyr
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
October 2025
Dear Friends,

I regret to inform you that, alas, those hot summer nights are officially behind us. However, September still brought a few lengthy stretches of incredible weather that have extended into a glorious start to October. When the warm days come less often, they feel even more special because we can’t help but recognize the ephemeral nature of the beauty of the seasons on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. I did manage to sneak in one last dip in a kettle pond in Truro this weekend. I will not say which one, though—if you know, you know. The Outer Cape’s kettle ponds are like the movie “Fight Club”: the first rule of kettle ponds is you do not talk about where the ponds are or which one you’re jumping into. Plus I’d be in serious trouble with my parents if I publicly revealed such closely held local secrets.

Back on land, it has been a month full of both progress and sobering reminders. On Beacon Hill, we advanced major legislation on data privacy, housing, and public health. Here at home, I joined neighbors at ribbon cuttings, community celebrations, Select Board meetings, and solemn gatherings that reflect the strength and spirit of Cape Cod and the Islands.

We broke ground on the Sandy Neck Coastal Resiliency Project in Barnstable, a model of how smart, science-driven adaptation can protect our coastlines while preserving access for future generations. In Hyannis, I celebrated the opening of a new early education center, a critical step toward addressing the Cape’s long-standing childcare desert. On Nantucket, I toured the brand-new offices of A Safe Place, where staff are responding to alarming increases in domestic violence with courage and compassion. I spoke at the rededication of the William Donovan Jr. Bridge in Yarmouth, where Cape Codders showed once again how we meet acts of hate with remembrance and community. And in Boston, I joined the opening of a new homebase for an innovative program to support unhoused youth people, a heartening moment to redouble our commitment to ending youth homelessness.

But amid this work, we were also confronted with more political violence, this time with the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Let me be clear: I strongly disagree with many of Mr. Kirk’s views and rhetoric, often vehemently so. But violence has no place in our democracy, not against him, not against anyone. We must stop normalizing political violence in America. It corrodes the very foundation of our civic life and drives us further from solutions to the pressing issues we face together. We must also resist the impulse to exploit these tragedies for political gain; we should resist weaponizing grief and fear into red meat talking points, as we’ve unfortunately seen. And it gives pause to those of us in the public arena that we too could be threatened and harmed simply for exercising our rights and freedoms.

As we turn the corner into fall, I remain hopeful. Time and again, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket show what is possible when communities act with purpose and resilience. Whether it is building housing, protecting clean water, expanding access to childcare, or preserving our natural and cultural treasures, we prove that progress is possible when we do the work together.

Yours in service,
Julian Cyr
Updates & Newsroom

From Cape Cod Roots to State Senate: Julian Cyr’s Story ([link removed])
- PFLAG Cape Cod
[link removed]
Senator Cyr chats with Rick Koonce of PFLAG Cape Cod

MA officials announce 'nation-leading' biodiversity plan on Cape Cod ([link removed])
- The Patch

"Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket are on the front lines of the climate and biodiversity crisis. Rising seas, warming waters, and habitat loss threaten not only our environment, but also our economy, culture, and way of life," added Sen. Julian Cyr. "This 25-year plan arrives not a moment to soon to ‘Protect, Restore, Sustain, and Connect’ the natural systems we need to survive. Implementing and maintaining such a bold vision for our shared future is what we do best here in Massachusetts."

Nantucket real-estate transfer fee proposed ([link removed])
- Nantucket Current

Co-sponsored by Representative Thomas Moakley and Senator Julian Cyr, Nantucket’s representatives in the legislature, this year’s version of the bill is a stand-alone measure. It would institute a 0.5 percent transfer fee on property sales over $2 million that would be paid by the seller, and unlike many past proposals, would only apply to Nantucket, though there is a similar bill in play for Martha’s Vineyard.

Real-estate transfer fee aimed at MA housing prices, shortage ([link removed])
- Cape Cod Times

A 2024 housing law expanded the designation of "seasonal communities," which presented opportunities for cities and towns, like those on the Cape, with a large number of second home properties that contribute to housing challenges. But Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Provincetown said that while those towns have "swiftly" adopted the designation, "Without a significant revenue source, we don't believe we can fully realize the seasonal communities designation."

Assembly of Delegates discusses regional transfer fee ([link removed])
- CapeCod.com

State Senators Julian Cyr and Dylan Fernandes, as well as State Representative Thomas Moakley will attend, providing context on how a possible county-wide home rule petition for a luxury transfer fee would proceed on Beacon Hill.

Housing bank advocates gear up for legislation push ([link removed])
- The Martha's Vineyard Times

“There’s a mounting understanding of the extent of the housing crisis that we face, not only on the Islands and Cape Cod, but all over Massachusetts,” Cape and Islands Sen. Julian Cyr said in an interview with The Times. “[Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket] have been extraordinarily persistent in their advocacy, and we need to keep that up until we get it done.”

Nantucketers urge lawmakers to pass housing bank Current ([link removed])
- Nantucket Current

Current Co-sponsored by Representative Thomas Moakley and Senator Julian Cyr, Nantucket’s representatives in the legislature, this year’s version of the bill would institute a seller-paid 0.5% transfer fee on property sales over $2 million.

Lawmakers push for Island cell service upgrades ([link removed])
- The Martha's Vineyard Times

“These service failures are more than an inconvenience; they risk public safety, strain local economies, and hinder access to essential services for residents, businesses, and visitors alike,” the letter, which was signed on August 29 and shared with The Times this week, states.

Cell-phone service on Nantucket (still) stinks ([link removed])
- Nantucket Current

Signatories to the letter include both of Nantucket’s representatives to Beacon Hill, Senator Julian Cyr and Representative Thomas Moakley. The primary concern they emphasized was public safety: without reliable cell service, islanders struggle to contact emergency services.

Legislators push companies to improve cell coverage ([link removed])
- The Provincetown Independent

There is an “infamous” gap in coverage in north Wellfleet and south Truro, Cyr told the Independent.

Senate stirs to life with car rental, abuse registry, fentanyl test strip bills ([link removed]) - Yahoo! News

The lessor’s insurance would act only “on a secondary or contingent basis” if the renter is uninsured or underinsured, under the proposal from Sen. Julian Cyr.

State senate passes Cyr rental-car affordability bill ([link removed])
- The Inquirer and Mirror

“By aligning Massachusetts with the rest of the country, we’re helping lower rental car prices for families, travelers and anyone who needs to rent a car in a pinch. I’m proud the Senate has taken this step to make life just a little more affordable for our residents and visitors.”

Microtransit commission may tackle affordable rides in remote areas ([link removed])
- The Lowell Sun

Farley-Bouvier and sponsors Rep. Todd Smola and Sen. Julian Cyr — the trio covering the remote areas of the Berkshires, Hampden County and the Cape and islands — back a bill to create a short-term commission that would study microtransit services statewide and recommend sustainable funding models to the Legislature.

Overdose prevention centers pitched in shifting climate ([link removed])
- Yahoo! News

Refiled proposals from Reps. Marjorie Decker and John Lawn and Sen. Julian Cyr (H 2196 / S 1393) provide a pathway for cities and towns to establish safe injection sites, while providing legal protections for workers, drug users accessing the facilities, government officials and other stakeholders.

Mass. gambling is huge — and about to get bigger ([link removed])
- The Provincetown Independent

Funding government programs through gambling receipts is “not my favorite policy,” said state Sen. Julian Cyr, but “it’s been a longstanding part of how we built our budget. This is something we’ve inherited."

Barnstable County celebrates ribbon cutting of newly expanded Clean Water Center ([link removed]) - CapeCod.gov

“I am thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Barnstable Clean Water Center, which will play a crucial role in helping us address one of Cape Cod’s steepest challenges. For decades, pollution from septic systems and cesspools has endangered our bays, estuaries, and ponds. Finally, we are making real progress,” said State Senator Julian Cyr.

Happy hour banned? Seven US states still outlaw after-work drink specials ([link removed]) - FoxBangor.com

Cyr said happy hours would bring people back to bars and restaurants that have been struggling since the pandemic.

Nesi’s Notes: Sept. 27 ([link removed]) - WPRI.com

Massachusetts State Sen. Julian Cyr, a potential future candidate for Bill Keating’s Greater New Bedford congressional seat, made The Wall Street Journal over happy hours.
Legislative Corner

Bills, bills, bills

This month, I joined my colleagues in the Senate in unanimously passing the Massachusetts Data Privacy Act. This is landmark legislation that puts our Commonwealth at the forefront of consumer data protection. In an era where our personal information is routinely harvested and sold without our knowledge, this bill reclaims control for Massachusetts residents. It guarantees the right to know what data is being collected, to correct or delete it, and to opt out of targeted advertising. It bans the sale of sensitive data, including health, biometric, and location information, and provides especially strong protections for minors. With this legislation, the Senate sought to ensure that your data belongs to you, not to tech giants or data brokers. This bill also protects the location data of anyone who comes to Massachusetts from out-of-state to seek gender affirming or reproductive health care from invasive data tracking and legal threats, reaffirming our state’s commitment to being a safe
haven in a time of rising hostility across the country. I heard from a number of constituents leading up to this debate, encouraging me to vote for this important legislation – which, of course, I did!

The Senate also engrossed one of my bills – An Act relative to affordable car rentals – which seeks to make car rentals more affordable in Massachusetts. If you’ve tried to rent a car this summer, you’ve probably noticed that prices have recently gotten even more expensive. That’s because a change to our state’s minimum insurance standards took effect on July 1, adding yet another layer of cost to an already outdated system. Massachusetts is one of the few states that still requires rental car companies — not your own insurance — to provide primary liability coverage, and the cost of that policy gets passed directly to consumers. This bill brings us in line with 48 other states by ensuring that if you’re insured and at fault in an accident, your insurance pays first. This simple fix eliminates a costly, out-of-step requirement and helps lower rental prices across the board, bringing welcome relief for families, travelers, and the many visitors who rely on rental cars to reach the Cape and
Islands, where tourism is central to our economy. This change is particularly welcome at a time when new federal tariffs on important vehicles and automobile parts have driven up the cost of car rentals nationwide by 15 – 20%. Our hands are limited at the state level to combat these tariffs, but we at least can make this common-sense change that will mitigate rising rental car prices.

In September, the Senate advanced several important bills:
* We voted to expand access to life-saving fentanyl test strips, ensuring these tools are widely available to prevent overdoses.

* We closed a loophole in Nicky’s Law to extend protections against abuse to individuals in MassHealth day habilitation programs, strengthening safeguards for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

* We set the date of the 2026 state primary election, giving voters and election officials ample time to prepare.

In addition, both chambers approved and Governor Healey signed into law $234 million in relief for hospitals and community health centers across Massachusetts. This is especially significant for Cape Cod Healthcare, which serves one of the highest percentages of public pay patients in the state. Community health centers are also vital providers here on the Cape and Islands, acting as a lifeline for thousands of residents and seasonal workers.

Taken together, these actions underscore the Legislature’s commitment to affordability, safety, democracy, and health care access.

Good news on other bills:

The Legislature is moving at a swifter clip this session, and many of my bills have already advanced out of committee well ahead of the December reporting deadline (which itself is earlier than the February deadline of past sessions). Among these early successes include:
* a statewide transfer fee on luxury real estate transactions over $2 million;

* legislation to reduce the frequency of school-based postural screenings;

* measures to increase student access to sunscreen and promote youth skin health;

* a bill to establish tuition waivers for grandparents raising grandchildren; and

* a proposal to improve the collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data.

Advancing these bills quickly is an encouraging sign, and it shows that Rules reforms are working and the growing momentum for policies that will make a real difference in people’s lives.

Hear, hear (and hear some more)!

It’s been a busy stretch on Beacon Hill as legislative hearings are in full swing, and I’ve been before several committees testifying on bills I’ve filed this session. From housing to health care to climate resilience, we’ve been making the case for legislation that responds to the urgent challenges we face on the Cape and Islands. I was especially proud to testify before the Revenue Committee on our local transfer fee proposals, and even more heartened by the tremendous show of support from our community. Advocates joined virtually from across the district, and many people made the trip to Boston to testify in person. Their voices made a powerful impression. I also spoke in favor of bills to lower cost-sharing for behavioral health services, protect our communities from PFAS contamination, strengthen retirement benefits, and promote climate resilient homes. These hearings are where the hard work of legislating happens, and I’m grateful to be working alongside so many dedicated partners to
move these priorities forward.

Last month I chaired another hearing of the Joint Committee on Housing, where we heard testimony on a number of bills aimed at tackling the Commonwealth’s housing crisis. The Committee reviewed proposals ranging from statewide zoning reforms to strengthening affordability requirements and streamlining permitting processes. Among the bills were measures to promote “Yes in My Back Yard”, update and modernize Chapter 40R, and improve the state’s landmark affordable housing law, Chapter 40B. We also heard bills to ensure affordability in perpetuity and to make housing permitting more efficient. Each of these ideas represents an important conversation about how Massachusetts can create more homes that people can actually afford, and I’m grateful to the advocates, municipal leaders, and residents who came forward to share their perspectives.
Latest Events: In the District and Beyond!
Honoring Marine Lance Corporal
William J. Donovan

In West Yarmouth, I had the honor of speaking at the rededication of the bridge in memory of Marine Lance Corporal William J. Donovan, Jr., a two-time Purple Heart recipient. The bridge carries West Yarmouth Road and spans Route 6 Highway. Standing with veterans, families, community members, and local leaders, I was reminded once again of how Cape Codders answer hardship the way we always have — by showing up, lifting each other, and remembering together.

A few weeks ago, the American flags on the William J. Donovan Jr. bridge were torn down in the middle of the night in an act meant to diminish. As I told those gathered on a sunny bright day, we answered it the Cape Cod way: by gathering here to remember what those flags truly stand for. I said that the flag is not a symbol for just a few, nor is it reserved for those with whom we agree. It is a commitment to tolerance, justice, and fairness — a beacon to guide us through our differences toward shared ideals.

I was moved by the reflections from Will’s mother, who spoke with grace and courage on the tenth anniversary of her son’s passing. She reminded us of his resilience, humor, and devotion to his fellow Marines, and of the debt our nation owes to its fallen heroes and their families — a debt we can never fully repay, but can honor through strong laws, robust programs, and simple acts of kindness.

Lance Corporal Will Donovan didn’t just wear the uniform; he embodied the spirit of service, continuing to give back even after his military chapter concluded. His story lives on in the many lives he touched, a testament to the quiet heroism of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. When the Legislature first dedicated this bridge in 2017, it was not just a bill but a promise — a promise to remember. With the flags restored and his community gathered once again, we keep that promise today.
The brand-new Barnstable Clean Water Center
I recently joined Congressman Bill Keating, all three Barnstable County Commissioners, County Chief Executive Michael Dutton, and the Barnstable County team to celebrate the ribbon cutting for the Barnstable Clean Water Center. For more than 25 years, the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Technology Center has pioneered wastewater research and innovation. Now, as the Clean Water Center, it will serve as a regional hub for testing new technologies, advancing education, and supporting a workforce that can meet the Cape’s wastewater challenges head-on.

The Center is now one of only three sites in the world testing this cutting-edge nitrogen-reducing septic technologies. With support from partners like the Gates Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, Barnstable County is not only leading locally but helping set the global standard for clean water innovation.

Wastewater has long been one of Cape Cod’s defining challenges, threatening our bays, estuaries, and ponds — and with them our economy and way of life. Through the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund, we’ve already delivered $309 million in subsidies and supported $1.16 billion in projects now in the ground, with billions more on the way. The Clean Water Center ensures that innovative, non-sewer nitrogen-reducing technology will be available in the corners of our region that will never be sewered. We are stepping up, doing the work, and delivering solutions at scale so that wastewater and nutrient pollution are not problems for generations to come.
Building coastal resilience at Sandy Neck

Last Friday, I joined Representative Steve Xiarhos, Barnstable officials, and community members to break ground on the Sandy Neck Coastal Resiliency Project. Sandy Neck is Barnstable’s only public beach on Cape Cod Bay — a beloved place to swim, camp, fish, and hike — but erosion and flooding have put it at serious risk. This $6.6 million state-funded project will relocate the parking lot and gatehouse inland, restore protective dunes, and reconfigure the ORV entrance to ensure safe access and extend the usable life of this treasured beach by decades.

This project is also part of a much larger vision. Earlier this year, I was honored to serve on the external task force that shaped the Commonwealth’s new ResilientCoasts plan, a 50-year roadmap for all 98 coastal communities in Massachusetts. More than 3 million Bay Staters live in communities projected to face major coastal impacts, and annual damages could exceed $1 billion by the 2070s if we don’t act. The good news is every dollar invested in resilience today can save up to $13 in avoided costs tomorrow.

Sandy Neck shows what ResilientCoasts looks like on the ground: nature-based defenses, relocating vulnerable facilities, and protecting public access for future generations. It’s one of the Cape’s first major “shovel-ready” resilience efforts, and a model for other coastal towns. This project is proof that we can preserve the places we love and adapt to our changing climate at the same time.
Bolstering early education on the Mid Cape

Representative Kip Diggs and I joined Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw and community members in Hyannis to celebrate the ribbon cutting for Clarendon Early Education Services’ new location at 278 Main Street. Clarendon is a non-profit organization that supports and licenses family child-care providers and helps connect families with infant, toddler, and preschool care.

Our region has long been a childcare desert, creating real barriers for families to access high-quality early education. This new office is a meaningful step in the right direction. It will serve as Clarendon’s base of operations for the Cape and Islands, bridging gaps in care and bringing much-needed support closer to home.

Clarendon’s network of educators and children in Hyannis is made up largely of Brazilian and immigrant families, who are such a vital part of our Cape Cod community. Expanding access to safe, high-quality early education not only helps working parents; it strengthens the foundation of our entire region.
A meeting of the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council

I welcomed Secretary Ed Augustus and the team from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to Nantucket for a meeting of the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council, where we took an important step forward on getting the new law up and running.

Careful readers will recall that we established a seasonal-communities program in the Affordable Homes Act, which was signed into law in August 2024. On September 26th, the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) released draft regulations for public comment. These rules spell out how towns can opt into the designation, the details of the zoning tools they’ll need to adopt, and how year-round occupancy restrictions will be defined.

The regulations also lay out some important requirements, including that towns establish year-round housing trusts. I was especially glad to see that the rules allow these local housing trusts to prioritize not only municipal employees but also state employees. This flexibility was something many in our district advocated for, and it’s a big win to see it included.

We also discussed how some fixes will still require legislative action. For example, towns currently can record year-round deed restrictions that last for 30 years, but we need a statutory change to allow these restrictions to be permanent. Giving communities this tool would help ensure housing remains available to year-round residents for generations.

The bottom line: these regulations are a major step forward. They give seasonal communities the framework we’ve been asking for to keep year-round residents housed, and my team and I will continue working closely with EOHLC to make sure the rules are clear, practical, and paired with the funding towns need to actually build and preserve homes.
This is a Safe Place

On a recent visit to Nantucket, I toured the brand-new home of A Safe Place with Executive Director Jennifer Frazee and Children’s Cove Director Stacy Gallagher. Jennifer and her team only moved in last month, but already this space is making a difference.

The need is urgent. Since before the pandemic, Nantucket has seen a 95 percent increase in incidents of domestic violence and a 50 percent increase in reported rapes. Last year alone, more than 350 people turned to A Safe Place for help. With new supervised visitation rooms and expanded therapy services for both children and adults, this facility provides staff the resources they need to meet that demand. Children’s Cove will be able to use the new offices to provide on-island support to children and their families when grappling with very trying circumstance when a child has been sexually abused. Previously, children and their loved ones often had to travel off-island to receive this support. Previously, children and their loved ones had to travel off-island to receive support and services from Children’s Cove, so the new space will be very meaningful to children and their families navigating the most difficult of circumstances.

I’m grateful to Jennifer, Stacy, and their teams for their dedication to keeping island families safe and supported.
The 11th annual OneCape Summit

Hundreds of local leaders and community members came out for the OneCape Summit, hosted by the Cape Cod Commission in Harwich Port. OneCape is our region’s annual opportunity to take stock of where we are, what we’ve accomplished, and what still lies ahead.

In my plenary remarks, I highlighted how far we’ve come working together on wastewater — with more than $1.16 billion in projects already underway and another $1.26 billion on the horizon by the end of the decade, a quarter of which will be funded by the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund. This collaboration across towns is a model for what’s possible when we act regionally.

Now we need to bring the same urgency and focus to housing. Median home prices on the Cape have doubled since I took office, now topping $760,000, and the reality is that most year-round working families are being priced out. The Affordable Homes Act created a seasonal community designation — a tailored toolkit of policies that can help towns build and preserve housing — but we must also secure the revenue to make these projects possible. That’s why I’m continuing to push for a local option real estate transfer fee on high-end transactions, so we can direct those resources into year-round housing.

OneCape is a reminder that the challenges before us are daunting, but they’re solvable when we come together as a region. I remain optimistic that with persistence, partnership, and political will, we can confront Cape Cod’s housing crisis just as we’ve begun to turn the corner on wastewater.
A transfer fee for Barnstable County

I joined the Barnstable County Assembly of Delegates alongside Senator Dylan Fernandes and Representatives Hadley Luddy and Thomas Moakley to discuss a regional transfer fee on luxury real estate. This is an essential tool if we are serious about keeping Cape Cod livable for our year-round residents and workforce. The concept is straightforward: focus on high-end transactions, dedicate the revenue to housing, and give towns flexibility to tailor the details while ensuring the funds remain in housing trusts.

The Assembly’s work on this home-rule petition shows the strong grassroots support behind local solutions. Cape Cod is sending a clear message to Beacon Hill: our communities are ready to act, and we need the state to give us the ability to fund housing production and meet the crisis head-on. A regional approach also means that our smaller towns will not be left to navigate this challenge alone. Just as the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund provides a fair and equitable model for distributing wastewater funding across towns, a county-wide transfer fee could ensure that revenue is managed efficiently and shared in a way that benefits the entire region.
A visit to the Yarmouth Select Board

I met with the Yarmouth Select Board to provide an update on several key legislative initiatives that directly affect the town’s future—especially when it comes to housing and wastewater.

We talked about the possibility of adopting a home rule petition to establish a transfer fee, which would generate a sustainable revenue stream to build and maintain year-round housing for working people. The need is stark: even though Yarmouth is considered one of the Cape’s more “affordable” towns, the median household income is $81,000, while a family would need to earn $169,000 to afford the median-priced home in the town. Tools like a transfer fee could help close that gap.

On wastewater, I highlighted the Cape and Islands Water Protection Fund (CCIWPF), which is fueled by $309 million in revenue from visitors to the region—not residents. Yarmouth alone is being supported with $37.5 million from the CCIWPF to support its wastewater infrastructure and ensure clean groundwater and drinking water. This funding stream is critical to keeping our water clean, and there’s strong bipartisan commitment to shoring it up for the long haul. I also briefed the Board on efforts to establish a business interruption fund for those impacted by construction, and a proposed tax credit for property owners in high-nitrogen areas (which, of course, is all of Cape Cod).

We also discussed state-level investments specific to Yarmouth. In the FY26 budget, I secured $50,000 to install passive filtration culverts and help remove the invasive Chesapeake boring sponge from the Bass River. And I continue to push MassDOT to take a serious look at the Bass River bridges, which are overdue for attention.

Finally, we reviewed the soon-to-be-implemented Seasonal Communities designation. While Yarmouth just missed the threshold for automatic eligibility, I encouraged the town to keep a close eye on the draft regulations soon to be (and since) released by the Seasonal Communities Advisory Council. Mid-Cape towns like Yarmouth have a real opportunity to get ahead of the housing crisis in ways that the Outer Cape and Islands could not, and I’m committed to making sure they have the tools to do it.
A celebration of free speech and expression

At this year’s Cape Aid Festival, I was reminded once again of the strength and creativity of our Mid Cape community when we come together for justice. The event brought local artists, advocates, and neighbors into one space to not only celebrate, but organize.

I had the chance to connect with groups doing critical work across the district: from Health Imperatives and Fenway Health’s Violence Recovery Program to Cape Cod Women for Change, PFLAG Cape Cod, and the Mashpee High School GSA. Each of them is advancing dignity, equity, and care in ways that are sorely needed right now.

In conversations with constituents, we discussed the challenges our immigrant neighbors face and what more we can do together. Tools like our Immigrant Defense Fund are just one step on a long road toward creating stronger defense and support systems and building communities where everyone feels not just safe, but that they belong.

I had a wonderful time meeting Amanda McGonigle, the Falmouth woman behind the Cats on a Couch Instagram page who has brought not only a great deal of joy, but renewed relevance of what it means to engage in “good trouble” in the digital age.
Preserving the arts on Cape Cod

It was my pleasure to return to the Cape Playhouse and the Cape Cod Center for the Arts to speak at their reception kicking off a multi-year capital campaign to raise money for renovations to the Playhouse and broader campus that will help bring year-round theater to the Cape.

I had the opportunity to join Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Executive Director Michael Bobbitt in speaking about how the arts don’t just contribute to our culture but are a major factor for our economy. I spoke about the challenges in sustaining an artist colony and how thanks to the recently passed Affordable Homes Act, municipalities can subsidize the artist housing that’s necessary for organization like the Cape Cod Center for the Arts to attract the kind of talent that has made them, and the entire Cape, a hub for cultural production and the arts.
The League of Women Voters stops by the State House

I welcomed members of the League of Women Voters to my office at the State House. The League has long been a trusted voice for civic engagement and informed participation in government, and I appreciated the chance to hear directly from members about the issues they care most about.

Conversations like this are an important part of the job: hearing from engaged citizens, answering tough questions, and working together to strengthen our democracy. I thank the League for their advocacy and their example.
A briefing on overdose prevention

I was happy to host the MA4OPC coalition at the State House for a conversation about harm reduction and Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs). The takeaway for me was simple: when we meet people where they are, we save lives and create the trust needed to connect folks to treatment, housing, and long-term recovery. That’s the spirit behind my bill, S.1393—a local-option pilot with strong DPH oversight, clear legal protections for clients and staff, malpractice safeguards for clinicians, and rigorous data reporting so we keep learning and improving.

I also spoke about the results we’re seeing elsewhere. Rhode Island opened an OPC over a year ago and in New York City, the first U.S. OPCs have reversed hundreds of overdoses and engaged thousands in care—evidence that these sites are a doorway, not a dead end. What stays with me are the people: clinicians, outreach workers, and residents who refuse to give up on their neighbors. I’m proud to stand with them—and I’m determined to give willing Massachusetts communities the tools to act.
Putting an end to youth homelessness

I was honored to join Breaktime in Boston to celebrate the ribbon cutting of their new homebase in Downtown Crossing. Breaktime is a nonprofit working to break the cycle of young adult homelessness by connecting young people with jobs, financial security, and the stability they need to thrive.

In my remarks, I noted that this opening is more than just a ribbon cutting — it represents a major investment in the future of young people across Massachusetts. It is simply unacceptable that one in ten young people between the ages of 18 and 25 will experience homelessness, and that rate is more than twice as high for LGBTQ+ youth. The new space will help meet this crisis head-on, with a workforce training center, case management rooms, a drop-in center where young people can shower and do laundry, and a no-cost store for essentials like food, clothing, and hygiene products.

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll reminded us in her remarks that the housing crisis is not one of those intractable challenges we face, but a solvable one — a crisis of our own making that we know what it takes to fix. We were also joined by Representatives Thomas Moakley, Sam Montaño, John Moran and Jack Patrick Lewis — colleagues who have been strong advocates for young people and housing solutions on Beacon Hill.

I also want to acknowledge Connor Schoen — so young, so ambitious, and so far ahead of what many expected. At 26, Connor led Breaktime in engineering a $6.3 million purchase of their five-story building in the heart of downtown. I know well what it’s like to be a young queer person with big ideas and few resources — so to see Connor turn vision into action is deeply inspiring.
Secretary Ed Augustus and the Yarmouth Housing Authority

My staff had the pleasure of joining Rep. Kip Diggs and Secretary Ed Augustus from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities during his visit to the Yarmouth Housing Authority. Secretary Augustus stopped by as part of his pledge to visit all housing authorities in the Commonwealth.

We heard from YHA’s long-serving Executive Director Wendy Ohlson about how the town’s sewer project will help them lower the high maintenance costs of their septic tank. We also joined the secretary for a tour of a one-bedroom unit at the YHA where we got to see the new fire alarm systems and discussed ways to improve accessibility for those living with disability both within the units and across the property as a whole.
CCYP at CCCC

The Back to Business Bash, hosted by Cape Cod Young Professionals (CCYP), returned this year at Cape Cod Community College for its 19th annual celebration. The Bash is the Cape’s largest networking event, bringing together hundreds of professionals and community members to reconnect after the busy summer season.

As always, the event featured fantastic food and drink from local businesses — with the Brazilian Grill serving up some delicious fare outside on a still-balmy September evening — along with lively entertainment. Proceeds from the Bash support CCYP’s work creating opportunities for our region’s workforce and developing young leaders here on the Cape.
A Sustainable Cape farmers market

My staff stopped by Sustainable Cape’s farmers market at the historic Mary Heaton Vorse House in Provincetown. The event showcased the best of our local growers and food producers, while highlighting the important work Sustainable Cape is doing to build a resilient, healthy food system for the Outer Cape.

It was a great reminder that investing in local agriculture supports not only our farmers, but our economy, environment, and community health.

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