A Monthly Newsletter from Senator Julian Cyr
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January 2026
Dear Friends,

Happy New Year! As we turn the calendar to 2026, I hope the final days of last year gave you at least a little time to rest, reflect, and spend time with the people who matter most to you. I’m not much for grand personal resolutions, but January does have a way of inviting a reset — or at least a moment to take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re headed.

If the past year taught me anything, it’s that even the best-laid plans are often subject to change. Just before the holidays, I had an entire trip mapped out on Martha’s Vineyard — multiple meetings, site visits, and conversations I’d been looking forward to for weeks. Instead, I woke up with the flu, turned the car around, and spent the day on Zoom from home. Another district day planned on the Mid Cape was similarly derailed. It wasn’t how I’d planned to close out the year, but it was a reminder that flexibility is a necessity in this work, and that showing up sometimes looks different than we expect.

December also brought moments of celebration and connection. The Senate holiday party — a festive choral concert at Jordan Hall — was a welcome chance to pause with colleagues after an intense year on Beacon Hill.

And like many of you, I found some quiet moments over the break to spend time with friends and family, and yes, to finally catch up on a little television. I’ve become mildly obsessed with "Heated Rivalry" — not just because it’s engrossing television, but because it tells a familiar and honest story about what it can mean to grow up queer: navigating the closet, suppressing feelings and desires, and slowly learning how to be open and vulnerable with another person. It hits for a lot of us for a reason, especially those of us who spent our earliest years learning how not to feel before learning how to fully be our authentic selves.

Looking back, 2025 was a productive year on Beacon Hill. The Senate delivered real, tangible progress on issues that affect families and residents across the Commonwealth. The Senate passed 127 bills; we advanced a strong affordability agenda, strengthened consumer and data privacy protections, defended reproductive freedom and civil rights, and made historic investments in education and transportation. We also adopted new Joint Rules to make the Legislature more transparent and efficient than ever before, ensuring that nearly 7,000 bills received a public hearing and were advanced out of committee in the first year of the session. And I had the joy of working with two terrific new colleagues in representing Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket: Representatives Hadley Luddy and Thomas Moakley. Both Thomas and Hadley had big shoes to fill, but you wouldn’t know it. They’ve been marvelous partners in continuing the proud Cape & Islands tradition of a collaborative bipartisan — and
inter-chamber — legislative delegation. Plus it was a treat to have Senator Dylan Fernandes in the Senate after eight years of representing the islands together. With Representative Kip Diggs in leadership on the House Committee on Ways & Means, and Representatives Vieira and Xiarhos rounding out the team, we are working hard to deliver for Cape Codders and Islanders.

At a time when hateful and targeted actions at the federal level continue to threaten scores of vulnerable people, Massachusetts acted decisively to protect our residents and our values. We created a gender-affirming health care trust, enacted the Shield 2.0 law to safeguard patients and providers, established an immigrate legal defense fund, and passed my bill, An Act regarding Free Expression, to defend libraries, schools, and the freedom to read. With Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell at the helm, we sued the federal government dozens of times to protect immigrants, renewable energy, and institutional independence. This work reflects a state government that is focused, responsive, and determined to meet the moment, no matter the headwinds out of Washington.

Before pausing for the holidays, we spent many long days immersed in housing policy. Under our Joint Rules, all joint committees must act on every bill by the first Wednesday in December, making the final weeks of the year especially intense. As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, I’m proud of the progress we made advancing a slate of bills aimed squarely at addressing our housing crisis. Chief among them was comprehensive “Yes In My Back Yard” legislation, which tackles exclusionary zoning, legalizes more multi-family and missing-middle housing by right, reduces parking mandates, and creates clearer rules to unlock housing production statewide. We also advanced permitting reform to cut red tape and bring predictability and fairness to the development process.

As I look ahead to 2026, I plan to spend the year much the same way I spent the last one: focused squarely on the most pressing challenge facing our region. Our housing crisis is an enormous task that calls for bold action, and the Massachusetts Senate is ready to meet the moment.

We are now officially halfway through the 194th legislative session. I’m heartened by what we’ve accomplished and deeply committed to the work ahead. I look forward to continuing this work with my colleagues — and with you — in the year to come.

With good cheer and highest hopes for the new year,
Julian Cyr
Updates & Newsroom

The Inspector General's scathing report on the Steamship Authority

In December, the Office of the Inspector General released a deeply troubling report on the Steamship Authority’s failed website and mobile app project. The findings confirmed what many of us on the Cape and Islands have feared for years: millions of dollars were wasted because of poor planning, weak oversight, and a lack of basic accountability at an agency that serves as a lifeline for our region. For Island residents, workers, and businesses who depend on the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority every day, this is a gut punch.

What’s most damaging is not just the financial loss, but the erosion of public trust. The report details misleading assurances, ballooning costs, and an oversight board that failed to ask hard questions when it mattered most. That kind of mismanagement has real consequences, and rebuilding confidence will take time, transparency, and sustained accountability. A leadership transition is already underway, and I believe setting the new general manager up for success requires a truly clean slate.

In response, the Cape and Islands legislative delegation is united in pushing for real reform. We continue to support legislation to strengthen oversight of the Steamship Authority by establishing term limits for board members and ensuring clearer lines of responsibility. The people who rely on this service deserve a ferry system that is professional, competent, and worthy of their trust, and we will keep pressing until that standard is met.

Steamship Authority Ripped By State Inspector ([link removed]) - Nantucket Current

Mass. inspector general slams Steamship Authority, Cape Cod, Island ferry service, for wasting public money on web project ([link removed]) - MassLive.com

“Millions of dollars in public funds were squandered because of basic failures in leadership, planning, and oversight, and the public was repeatedly given assurances that simply were not true,” said Julian Cyr, who represents Nantucket in the Massachusetts State Senate. “That kind of mismanagement does real damage, not just to finances, but to public trust, and rebuilding that trust will take time and sustained accountability. The Steamship Authority has an obligation to operate with competence, transparency, and respect for the people it serves. This report makes clear that obligation was not met, and it cannot happen again.”

In Other News

Let’s lower barriers to LGBTQ fertility treatments ([link removed]) - The Boston Globe

Cyr’s bill would update the definition of infertility in state law to conform with the definition used by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine ([link removed]) . It maintains the current definition and adds that someone could also be considered legally infertile based on a physician’s diagnosis or the need for medical intervention to achieve a successful pregnancy either as an individual or with a partner. Cyr’s bill also adds to the association’s definition an individual’s elevated likelihood of passing a serious inheritable genetic or chromosomal abnormality to a child.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards Nearly $1.2 Million to Support Fishing Industry ([link removed]) - Mass.gov

“The commercial fishing industry isn’t just an economic engine for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket—it’s part of who we are. Growing up in my family’s restaurant in North Truro, I always took pride knowing the seafood on our menu had been caught by day boats just hours before. That connection between our fishermen, our coastal communities, and the food on our tables is something I cherish, and it’s something we must protect," said State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). "As offshore wind development ramps up, our fishermen deserve the tools, research, and partnerships that will help them stay safe, competitive, and resilient on the water. The Massachusetts Fisheries Innovation Fund meets the moment by investing directly in their ingenuity and expertise.”

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $15 Million in Housing Tax Credits to Five Gateway Cities ([link removed]) - Mass.gov

“This investment in 94 Stevens St. will make a real difference for Hyannis by transforming a long-underused site into new homes right in the center of downtown. Adding 40 year-round rental units, including income-restricted housing, supports the workers, families, and small businesses that keep Hyannis vibrant all year long. I'm grateful to Secretary Augustus and the Healey-Driscoll Administration for recognizing the importance of downtown housing on Cape Cod and for continuing to partner with us to meet this urgent need.”

Revolutionary ideas and leaders take center stage at Globe Summit 2025 ([link removed])
- The Huntington News

State Senator Julian Cyr discussed lowering the barriers for IVF for families across Boston, including increasing insurance coverage for IVF and closing loopholes in the definition of infertility in Massachusetts law.

House points light at dark money in local politics | House of Representatives ([link removed])
- StateHouseNews.com

Massachusetts targets undisclosed political funding ([link removed]) - WWLP.com

Does 'dark money' influence housing policy on Cape Cod, Islands? ([link removed])
- Cape Cod Times

"Our concern is not theoretical. In towns across Cape Cod, advocacy groups have poured money into efforts to influence town meeting decisions, yet their leadership and funding sources remain undisclosed. Cape Cod voters, and all the voters in the Commonwealth, have the right to know who is funding these efforts so they can make informed decisions about the group’s claims," the testimony says.

2025 Top Story: ICE raids prompt fear, protests on-island ([link removed])
- The Inquirer and Mirror

Cape and Islands state Sen. Julian Cyr criticized the enforcement action as indiscriminate and said it marked a departure from previous ICE activity on the island, which had focused on individuals accused of violent crimes.

He expressed concern about due process and the impact on families and the local workforce, calling the timing, the day after Memorial Day, particularly troubling for an island entering its busiest season.

A Look Back at the Year That Was: 2025 ([link removed]) - The Vineyard Gazette

“It’s shameful to see immigrant Islanders targeted and terrorized in a dragnet,” said state senator Julian Cyr. “If you enjoy Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket or Cape Cod, especially in the summer, please remember that it is immigrants who make your vacation possible.”

2025: A look back at the year gone by ([link removed]) - The Inquirer and Mirror

Gov. Maura Healey, state Sen. Julian Cyr and state Rep. Thomas Moakley visited the island to tour Housing Nantucket’s new Wiggles Way development and the Sustainable Nantucket farm stand and gardens. At each stop, Healey talked housing, food insecurity and more with community leaders who are working to address the issues on Nantucket.

Tick, Tick... Boom!

Healey-Driscoll Administration Expands Deer Hunting Season on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket ([link removed]) - Mass.gov

Island hunting season extended to tackle ticks ([link removed]) - The Martha's Vineyard Times

Island Tick Crisis Draws State Attention ([link removed]) - The Vineyard Gazette

Deer hunting times opened up on Vineyard and Nantucket to fight ticks, address other issues ([link removed]) - CapeCod.com

Expanding Deer Hunting Season On Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket Will Help Overpopulation, Officials Say ([link removed]) - Patch.com

“Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket continue to face some of the highest rates of tick-borne illness in the Commonwealth, including the alarming rise of alpha-gal syndrome. With deer density driving much of this public-health crisis, expanding deer hunting opportunities is a necessary step to protect our communities,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D–Provincetown). “Addressing tick-borne disease requires coordination and action across all levels of government, and this announcement helps move us in the right direction."
Legislative Corner

2025 was a productive year on Beacon Hill. This year, the Senate delivered real, tangible progress on the issues that matter most to families across the Commonwealth. The Senate advanced 127 bills aiming to make energy more affordable, strengthen consumer and data privacy protections, defend reproductive freedom and civil rights, and invest deeply in education and transportation. The Legislature adopted new Joint Rules to make our work more transparent and efficient than ever before — ensuring that nearly 7,000 bills received a public hearing this session. At a time when hateful and targeted actions by the Trump administration continue to threaten LGBTQ+ people and their access to care, Massachusetts also took decisive action to protect our values — creating a gender-affirming health care trust, enacting the Shield 2.0 law to safeguard patients and providers, and passing my bill An Act regarding Free Expression to defend libraries, schools, and the freedom to read. This work reflects a
Senate that is focused, responsive, and determined to meet the moment.

Before pausing for the holiday season, we spent many hours invested in housing policy. Under our Joint Rules, all joint committees are required to take action on every bill by the first Wednesday in December. That means the final weeks of the year are largely dedicated to intensive committee work — reviewing language, negotiating details, and moving the strongest ideas forward.

As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, I’m especially proud of the progress we made in December advancing a slate of housing bills aimed squarely at addressing our statewide housing crisis. Chief among them was comprehensive “Yes In My Back Yard” legislation, which takes on exclusionary zoning, legalizes more multi-family and missing-middle housing by right, reduces parking mandates, and creates clearer, fairer rules to unlock housing production across the Commonwealth . We also advanced a permitting reform bill designed to cut red tape, streamline approvals, and bring predictability and fairness to the housing development process—so projects that comply with the rules can move forward without unnecessary delay. These reforms are essential if we are serious about lowering costs, increasing supply, and making it possible for people to live in the communities they call home.

We did file extensions for a handful of bills, including the Seasonal Community 2.0 legislation. In that case, we are intentionally waiting for the final Seasonal Community regulations to be promulgated. Once those regulations are in place, this bill will serve as our legislative vehicle to make any necessary statutory tweaks to ensure the law works as intended for seasonal communities like those here on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.

We are now officially halfway through the 194th legislative session. While I’m heartened by what we’ve accomplished so far, there is still much work ahead. I remain deeply committed to pushing forward solutions on housing, affordability, energy costs, health care, and economic opportunity—and I look forward to continuing this work alongside my colleagues and with all of you in the year to come.
Latest Events: In the District and Beyond!
A "ticking" time bomb

In December, in partnership with the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Rep. Moakley, I convened state, local, tribal, and community leaders at Oak Bluffs Town Hall to confront a reality many Islanders already know all too well: tick-borne disease has become a public health crisis on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. This was not a ceremonial meeting or a one-off conversation. It was an intentional effort to bring together everyone who touches this issue for a shared conversation grounded in the same data and committed to working together to find solutions to this crisis.

The numbers are stark. Martha’s Vineyard experiences some of the highest rates of tick-borne illness in Massachusetts, including Lyme disease, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. We are also seeing a dramatic rise in alpha-gal syndrome, a tick-associated allergy that is changing how people eat, how schools plan meals, and how hospitals deliver care. This new reality is causing Islanders to make daily decisions about whether it feels safe to garden, hike, hunt, or even let their children play outside. This is not an abstract policy problem; rather, it is a quality-of-life issue affecting families, workers, and visitors across the Islands.

One of the most important shared understandings to emerge from this meeting was the need to name the moment honestly. Participants across disciplines agreed that what we are experiencing is not simply a pressing issue but a true public health crisis. That framing matters because it shapes how urgently we act and how seriously we invest in solutions. We also heard clearly that there is no single fix. Addressing tick-borne disease requires sustained surveillance, better data, ecological management, including difficult conversations about deer density, and continued emphasis on prevention and public education.

I was grateful for the commitment shown by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and our state partners, including MassWildlife, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Department of Agricultural Resources, all of whom engaged directly with Island stakeholders. Without partners from across the Island, including Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, local public health staff, hunters, and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), whose leadership underscored the cultural, health, and economic stakes of inaction, this first conversation would have been for nothing.

This meeting was only a beginning. We were clear from the outset that the goal was not to dictate outcomes but to establish a shared foundation for the work ahead. As federal uncertainty threatens public health infrastructure nationwide, communities like ours are once again demonstrating what leadership looks like. I am committed to continuing this conversation, supporting the capacity of local public health programs, and working with Island partners to ensure that our response is as serious and sustained as the crisis demands.
A chat with the Barnstable Town Council

I joined the Barnstable Town Council to discuss the challenges shaping Barnstable’s future and the tools now available to meet them. I had planned to join in person, but the flu had other intentions for me; fortunately I could join virtually. I began where the conversation must begin: housing. Across the Commonwealth, and especially on Cape Cod, housing is no longer a cyclical concern; it is the defining structural challenge of our time. As Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing and at the request of Senate President Spilka, I have focused on advancing bold, durable solutions that reflect the realities communities like Barnstable face every day.

The data are sobering. Since 2000, home prices in Barnstable have more than doubled, while wages have failed to keep pace. Today, the median single-family home price in Barnstable is roughly $700,000, which means a household would need to earn around $180,000 per year to afford that home under standard lending assumptions. That is more than double the county’s median household income, putting homeownership well out of reach for teachers, nurses, municipal workers, hospitality employees, and many families who have long anchored this community. The result is a region under real strain, with cascading impacts on employers, schools, public safety, and the fabric of year-round life.

That is precisely why I authored the Seasonal Communities Designation, enacted through the Affordable Homes Act. This designation recognizes the unique pressures facing towns like Barnstable and unlocks new tools to create year-round housing, secure permanent deed restrictions, support essential workers, and tailor housing policy to the realities of a seasonal economy. I’m pleased to note that Barnstable has been invited to accept this designation, and I have asked the Healey-Driscoll Administration to provide the Town with a detailed, town-specific briefing so local leaders have a clear understanding of how to put these new authorities to work effectively.

I also highlighted several practical tools already available to the Town, including the “good landlord” property tax credit, which can help preserve naturally occurring affordable housing, and improvements to the Title V septic tax credit to better reflect today’s housing and infrastructure costs. These are not silver bullets, but they can make a meaningful difference when used strategically. In that same spirit, I spoke about the need for a reliable revenue source to support housing at scale. Tools without funding will not solve this crisis. That is why I encourage Barnstable to take a serious look at a local option real estate transfer fee on high-value properties, a step many Cape towns have already taken. A transfer fee, paired with the Seasonal Communities Designation, gives towns both the authority and the resources needed to act.

Beyond housing, I discussed Barnstable’s leadership on wastewater infrastructure and coastal resilience. The Cape Cod & Islands Water Protection Fund is a model for making generational environmental investments while cushioning the blow for taxpayers, and Barnstable has been a major beneficiary of that success, receiving nearly $50 million. I reaffirmed my commitment to defending that funding model at the state level and to ensuring predictable support through the State Revolving Fund. I also touched on the Mass READY Act and the environmental bond bill, which will strengthen our ability to respond to coastal erosion, flooding, and climate impacts—areas where Barnstable has already shown real leadership.

Finally, I provided updates on major regional infrastructure priorities, including the Cape bridges. Funding for the Sagamore Bridge replacement is in place, and the project is moving forward. The Commonwealth is aggressively pursuing additional resources to advance the Bourne Bridge replacement as well. These projects are essential not just for transportation but also for the economic and environmental resilience of the entire region.

I appreciated the thoughtful engagement of Town Councilors and staff throughout the discussion. Barnstable has the planning capacity, institutional knowledge, and civic commitment to use these tools well. My commitment is to continue working in close partnership with the Town as it navigates these decisions and to ensure that state policy supports Barnstable’s goal of remaining a strong, inclusive, year-round community.
Harbormasters from Harwich to Provincetown

I recently met with the Harwich Harbormaster, John Harker, whose tenure began last March, to talk through the day-to-day realities of managing a working harbor on Cape Cod, from vessel traffic and moorings to safety, maintenance, and the increasing pressures that come with a changing coastline. We met at picturesque Saquatucket Harbor, which was covered in ice and a dusting of snow. These conversations are always grounding. Our coastal towns depend on harbors that function well, especially as demands grow during the busy season and weather patterns become less predictable.

Joining us was Brian Taylor, the Harbormaster of Barnstable, and Pete Whinn, the Harbormaster for Provincetown. Pete and I went to high school together, and it is genuinely meaningful to see how our paths have led us back to public service in our home region. In different roles, we are both focused on the same core goal: making sure our communities work for the people who live and work here year-round.

Harbormasters play a critical role in our maritime communities and economy. They are responsible for keeping harbors safe and navigable, managing moorings and docks, coordinating emergency response on the water, and supporting the commercial and recreational activity that drives local economies. In places like Harwich Port and across the Cape and Islands, strong harbor management is essential to fisheries, tourism, and the character of our coastal towns. Hearing directly from the professionals doing this work helps inform the decisions we make on Beacon Hill, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn from them.
Making dreams come true in Brewster

I recently visited Dream Day on Cape Cod in Brewster to see firsthand the work happening on its 31-acre campus nestled deep inside Nickerson State Park. Dream Day provides week-long stays for families with children facing serious illnesses, giving them a chance to spend time together in nature at no cost. Over the course of a summer season, eight cabins host eight families each week, meaning up to 64 families have this opportunity every summer. The experience — from the trails and woods to adaptive spaces like the archery field — is meaningful for the families who come, many of whom have never had a chance to just be outside together away from hospitals and appointments.

I can only imagine the warm summer camp vibes of this place in season. Even blanketed in fresh snow during my visit, the setting was clearly restorative. Being there reminded me how important it is for our communities to have inclusive outdoor spaces where families can make memories together without barriers.

The operation is run by a small, dedicated team of three — Heather St. Onge, Dale Ormon, and Steve Modrak — who are assisted by a cadre of volunteers and seasonal employees. Dale’s daughter Danielle and I sang together in Nauset High School’s honors chorus; moments like that underscore how small and interconnected our Cape community is, and how, as adults, we continue to find ways to serve our neighbors.
Dream Day has been part of this region since the early 1990s, but like many nonprofit programs it has faced financial challenges, especially since the pandemic. The team is exploring ways to grow revenue, including shoulder-season programming and partnerships with organizations like Wounded Warrior. Supporting this work helps ensure that more families can continue to benefit from this unique Cape experience in the years ahead.
A place to call home in Wellfleet

I was delighted to join the Wellfleet community for the dedication of four newly completed Habitat for Humanity homes on Old King’s Highway, alongside Representative Hadley Luddy. It was a meaningful moment to welcome four families into their new homes and to celebrate a project that reflects the persistence and care of this community.

These homes were built on land the town first purchased in 2008 and later transferred to the Housing Authority, with years of legal challenges delaying construction. The completion of two two-bedroom homes and two three-bedroom homes, all deed-restricted and awarded through a local lottery, is a testament to what steady commitment can achieve even in the face of real obstacles.

I’m grateful to Habitat for Humanity, the Wellfleet Affordable Housing Trust, town leaders, and the many volunteers who saw this effort through. At a time when the Outer Cape continues to struggle with housing affordability, these four homes are a tangible reminder that progress is possible when communities come together to create places where local families can put down roots and thrive.
Tackling forever chemicals in Hyannis

I met with Cape Cod Sierra Club and members of the Hyannis PFAS Working Group to discuss the ongoing impacts of PFAS contamination in Hyannis and the work that remains ahead. PFAS are “forever chemicals” that have been found in drinking water, and groundwater in an increasing number of communities, including Hyannis. Most concerning, PFAS can affect the health of residents who lived, worked, or attended school in affected areas. While significant progress has been made in removing PFAS from public drinking water supplies, the conversation underscored that we are still very much in the middle of this work, not at the end of it.

One of the clearest themes to emerge was the persistent gap in medical knowledge and clinical guidance on PFAS exposure. Residents who participate in blood testing and health studies often receive results that raise serious concerns but offer limited clarity about what those numbers mean for their long-term health. Many primary care providers lack training, standardized protocols, or clear referral pathways for patients with elevated PFAS levels. That gap places an unfair burden on individuals and families to navigate uncertainty on their own and reinforces the need for continued investment in provider education, research, and public health guidance.

We also discussed progress to date. Barnstable and Cape communities have taken meaningful steps to address known contamination sources, expand water treatment, and participate in state and federal research efforts to better understand PFAS exposure and health outcomes. Community advocacy has been essential in driving that progress, ensuring transparency, and keeping public attention focused on an issue that might otherwise fade from view. Those efforts matter and have already made a difference.

Protecting public health requires more than cleanup alone; it requires trust, transparency, and a commitment to closing the gaps between science, medicine, and community experience. I’m also eager for the Legislature to pass omnibus PFAS legislation that I filed with my friend Representative Kate Hogan. I remain committed to working with local advocates, state agencies, and healthcare partners to ensure that Hyannis continues to receive the attention, resources, and follow-through this issue demands.
Coming soon: a new fire station in Barnstable

I was proud to join Barnstable Fire Chief Beal and the members of the Barnstable Fire Department to celebrate a forthcoming new Barnstable fire station on Phinney’s Lane. The new station serves a critical core of Cape Cod’s fastest growing areas, strengthening coverage for residents, retirement communities, and local businesses alike, while also improving the day-to-day working conditions of the first responders who exemplify the very best of public service.

The progress of the Barnstable Fire Department over the past 50 years is remarkable. What began as a primarily volunteer and paid-on-call operation has evolved into a fully staffed, 24/7 professional department, doubling its shift strength over the last three decades.

This growth has been essential. The average number of calls per 24-hour shift for Barnstable Fire have increased by nearly 80 percent since in recent years, and run volume is projected to rise by 300 to 700 calls over the next two years.
The Department’s extraordinary legacy of service over the last half-century invites us to look forward to the next 50 years, where this fire station will serve the Department’s professionalism and care for this community. I was honored to help celebrate this important step and deeply grateful to those in the Barnstable Fire Department for all they do.
A new Office of Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention

Last month we celebrated a milestone years in the making with the launch of the Massachusetts Office of Behavioral Health Promotion and Prevention (OBHPP). I’m grateful to the many hands who turned a bold idea from the Mental Health ABC Act and made it into a real, working office. Close readers will recall that I authored and led negotiations for the Senate when we passed this landmark law in 2022. It was wonderful to see so many partners come together, including community coalitions, advocates, clinicians, and people with lived experience, to celebrate an office designed to serve and support the vital work they’ve long been undertaking.

When I first joined the Legislature, I saw that we had siloed mental health promotion and substance use prevention across several agencies and programs, and we had tasked a volunteer commission to solve this structural challenge without permanent infrastructure. That’s why I filed legislation to create a dedicated Office of Behavioral Health Promotion — to ensure prevention wasn’t something that was “nice to have,” but was fully baked into state government.

Now, OBHPP is charged with coordinating behavioral health promotion and prevention efforts across state government so we are no longer running dozens of disconnected campaigns, but instead advancing a single, coherent strategy rooted in community partnership. A central example of this work is the What’s On Your Mind? campaign, a multilingual, multimedia, statewide initiative running from October 2025 through January 2026 that encourages residents of all ages to take simple, proactive steps to care for their mental well-being, reduce stigma, and strengthen social connection. The campaign prioritizes health equity by centering communities most impacted by disparities and caregivers, and reaches residents through paid and unpaid media, community engagement, and partnerships with schools and local organizations—grounded in evidence-informed, data-driven, and trauma-informed approaches to prevent mental health and substance use conditions and reduce suicide and violence.

For the Cape and Islands, where isolation, seasonal economies, housing pressures, and workforce shortages all shape mental health, this focus on prevention and local listening is especially important. If we get this right, we’ll see fewer people in crisis, fewer families scrambling in emergency rooms, and more residents living full, connected lives.
A gathering of LGBTQ+ leaders in D.C.

Each year, I make it a point to attend the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute's international gathering of leaders, and this year was no exception. It’s always an energizing reminder that meaningful progress is happening everywhere, led by dedicated public servants from Maine to Kansas to California. I was glad to be joined by Representatives Thomas Moakley, John Moran, and Jack Lewis, and it was great to connect with old friends and new ones alike.

I participated in a plenary panel on health equity, where I spoke about the work Massachusetts has done to expand access to HIV prevention and treatment, protect gender-affirming care, and defend reproductive freedom. I also shared concerns about the challenges ahead, particularly the very real threat that proposed Medicaid cuts pose to the health and stability of LGBTQ+ communities and other vulnerable populations across the country.
The conference also brought a memorable personal moment. I had the honor of meeting Joe Biden, who addressed the conference. When I mentioned that I represent Nantucket, he immediately lit up and spoke warmly about his family’s long-standing tradition of spending Thanksgiving on the island, a reminder of just how small and special our corner of the Commonwealth can be.
Commemorating World AIDS Day

On World AIDS Day, I was honored to gather with hundreds of friends, neighbors, and community members beside Provincetown Town Hall, standing together beneath the lights of the Pilgrim Monument. It was a powerful reminder that in Provincetown, remembrance and solidarity are not abstract ideas. They are lived values, woven into the fabric of this place and visible in moments like this one.

Afterward, we moved inside Town Hall to view panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Each patch tells a personal story of love and loss, and taken together they reflect the scale of a crisis that reshaped this community. For Provincetown and the Outer Cape, the AIDS epidemic was not something that happened elsewhere. It was experienced here, up close, and it demanded a response rooted in compassion, urgency, and dignity at a time when much of the country turned away.

That legacy of care profoundly shaped my own path into public health and public service. Long before there were federal frameworks or national consensus, this community chose to lead with humanity. Providers, advocates, friends, and families built systems of care that saved lives and affirmed the worth of every person. That spirit continues today through the work of organizations like Outer Cape Health Services and the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod, whose prevention, treatment, and support services remain models for the Commonwealth.

World AIDS Day is both a moment of remembrance and a call to action. The progress we have made in HIV prevention and treatment is real, but it is not guaranteed. As federal actions threaten funding and public health infrastructure, communities like ours remind us what is at stake and what is possible when we choose science, compassion, and community over fear and neglect. I am grateful to everyone who gathered, who shared space and memory, and who continues to carry this work forward.
Babkas and Books in Brookline

I was glad to join the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) for their Babkas & Books Chanukah community crowdraiser in Brookline. It was a warm, thoughtful gathering rooted in learning, conversation, and shared values, and I was honored to speak about my legislation, An Act Regarding Free Expression, alongside advocates who understand how closely civil liberties and a healthy democracy are intertwined.

I spoke about the growing wave of book challenges in Massachusetts and across the country, many of which disproportionately target stories about LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and families that have long been pushed to the margins. Just as concerning has been the intimidation directed at librarians and educators who follow professional standards and transparent processes, yet still face harassment and threats for doing their jobs. That climate of fear is deliberate, and it is precisely what this legislation seeks to confront by protecting the right to read and the people who safeguard it.

JALSA has been a key partner in advancing this work, grounded in the understanding that censorship is never only about books. It is about whose stories are allowed to exist in public life and who is made to feel they belong. Although this gathering took place before the horrific antisemitic violence on Bondi Beach on the first night of Chanukah, those events underscore how quickly hatred can move from silencing stories to targeting communities.

Chanukah is a holiday about rededication and about light that endures even when it seems fragile. That spirit was palpable in the room that night. I left grateful for the partnership with JALSA and recommitted to ensuring that our laws protect inquiry, pluralism, and the freedom to read for everyone.
West Barnstable's new toy library

My team attended the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the brand new Cape Cod Toy Library on Main Street in West Barnstable. This beautiful new space represents years of vision, persistence, and community-building, and it was moving to see so many families, educators, and local leaders gathered to celebrate a resource that puts children, connection, and joy at the center of community life.

Founder Deb Willsea spoke powerfully about her lifelong commitment to play-based learning and how this project grew from both professional experience and deep listening to families on Cape Cod. From launching a pioneering toy library in Rochester, New York, to bringing that same model of equity, imagination, and access here to the Cape, Deb’s work reflects a simple but profound truth: play is not a luxury, it is essential. As Mr. Rogers famously said, play is the work of childhood. Children learn best when they are discovering, questioning, pretending, and collaborating in the real world, and the Toy Library is designed to support exactly that kind of learning and joy.
Speakers throughout the ceremony echoed that message, including local superintendents Mark Smith and Sarah Ahern, who spoke about the critical role play has in healthy child development, social connection, and reducing stress for both kids and caregivers. In a world where children have fewer opportunities for unstructured, imaginative play than many of us remember, the Cape Cod Toy Library opens a doorway to curiosity, confidence, and possibility. Thanks to Deb’s leadership and a generous donor who made this permanent home possible, the Cape Cod Toy Library is now positioned to serve families for generations to come.
Technology infrastructure on Cape Cod

I had the pleasure of joining the Cape Cod Technology Council’s Infrastructure Committee during their December meeting for a productive discussion focused on the technology infrastructure challenges facing Cape Cod. While our office and the rest of the Cape and Islands delegation have been working to address persistent and frustrating issues like cell service, it was great to delve deep into issues such as broadband access, road maintenance, and the resiliency of our water systems as we work to ensure our region has the infrastructure necessary for the 21st century.

We discussed the role of the Commonwealth in ensuring that broadband investments are made equitably and with clear accountability, particularly for regions like Cape Cod that face unique geographic and infrastructure constraints. In our increasingly digital world, broadband and other technology infrastructure becomes all the more vital in ensuring residents have the tools to remain connected to friends, family, and essential services.

I left the meeting encouraged by the collaboration among local leaders, advocates, and technical experts, and committed to continuing to work with the Council and state partners to advance transparent, effective infrastructure solutions that meet the needs of Cape Cod residents and businesses.
Thank you, Colin

After a year and a half with my office, it is hard to put into words what Colin Hennessy (like the cognac) has meant to our team. He came to us from Marlborough and never pretended to know the Cape and Islands better than the people who call it home, but he committed himself fully to learning the region. From town and village names (even the tricky ones) to the unique challenges facing Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, Colin showed real respect for my district and a genuine desire to serve it well.

In a relatively short time, Colin grew tremendously as a professional. He is dependable, thoughtful, and steady under pressure, and he brings a kind of positive energy that lifts everyone around him. He was beloved in our office and across the State House, winning over even the most seasoned and cynical staffers. That matters more than people realize. Like in the rest of life, if you cannot build relationships at 24 Beacon Street, you cannot be effective in politics and policymaking, and Colin was effective because people trusted him.

Colin came to my office with ambition and vision, having already taken on serious responsibility at such a young age as acting legislative director in a previous role. He’s a gifted writer, an exceptional organizer, and someone who never buckled when the work got hard. During late nights, budget season crunches, and the constant logistical puzzle of serving the largest geographical district in Massachusetts, Colin consistently rose to the occasion. His cheerful “hello, hello!” on the phone will be missed more than he knows.

As Colin begins the next chapter of his life in Ohio, with eyes toward law school, I am grateful for the time we had together. For much of my time in the Legislature, I have been one of the youngest people in the room, but Colin had a way of making me feel my age — and I mean that as a compliment. Our office will not be the same without him, and his impact will be felt for a long time. I know he will continue to serve others with integrity and heart wherever he goes.

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