Senate Passes Legislation to Increase Access to HIV Prevention Medication
Senate Passes Legislation to Increase Access to HIV Prevention Medication
Bill would allow pharmacists to prescribe pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP),
which is highly effective in preventing HIV
(BOSTON – 06/30/2022) The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed legislation which would increase access to the life-saving HIV prevention medication pre-exposure prophylaxis, commonly known as PrEP, by allowing pharmacists to prescribe it to patients on a short-term basis. This important bill, which was passed on the last day of Pride Month, will support the Commonwealth’s efforts to prevent the transmission of HIV, which continues to disproportionately affect members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people of color, and low-income individuals.
Read moreSENATE PASSES GENERAL GOVERNMENT BOND BILL
SENATE PASSES GENERAL GOVERNMENT BOND BILL
Cyr secures key investments for local infrastructure projects as well as cultural and educational initiatives
(BOSTON – 06/17/2022) The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday passed a $5.07 billion general government bond bill to fund construction projects related to health care, higher education, information technology, workforce development, the environment, affordable housing, and more. The bill also includes a moratorium on the construction of new prisons in Massachusetts. Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) secured $2.5 million for the Cape and Islands district that will support municipal infrastructure initiatives and arts and education programs.
Read moreSenate Passes Fiscal Year 2023 Budget
The Massachusetts State Senate on May 26th passed a $49.78 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23). Advanced with unanimous support, the budget makes significant, critical and targeted investments in the areas of education, health care, housing and community supports to meet the on-the-ground challenges brought on by the global pandemic and ongoing financial uncertainty. For his part, State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) secured funding for a spate of local priorities and statewide investments including reproductive rights and LGBTQ+ protections.
Read moreProvincetown COVID-19 Public Health Advisory
July 19, 2021 – Provincetown, MA | Following the 4th of July weekend, there was an increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Provincetown in addition to individuals reporting COVID-like symptoms. COVID-19 infection has occurred in both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. As of Friday July 16, 132 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 had been officially reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health associated with the Provincetown cases. Of these cases, 89 are Massachusetts residents, 39 of which reside in Barnstable County. The remainder of individuals who tested positive reside in other states or jurisdictions outside of Massachusetts. Case investigation is ongoing, and the numbers are likely to change as the situation evolves.
Based on the above information, public health authorities from the Provincetown Select Board, Provincetown Board of Health, and the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment (BCDHE) have determined that the best course of action to reduce the spread of COVID-19 is by issuing an advisory to urge the public to take reasonable precautions.
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Senate Passes FY22 Budget
Senate Passes FY22 Budget
Cyr negotiates for key Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket priorities during debate
(BOSTON – 6/01/2021) The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a $47.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), after adding $63.7 million in targeted investments over the course of three days of robust deliberations.
Read moreCOVID-19 Vaccine Information for Cape Codders and Islanders
On April 19th, 2021, every Massachusetts resident over the age of 16 is eligible to receive one of the available COVID-19 vaccines at no cost. Use this page as a resource to help maximize your chances of securing your appointment when supply becomes available.
Read moreCOVID-19 Vaccine Briefing for Cape Cod Residents Over 65
On February 3, 2021 the Cape Cod COVID-19 Response Task Force held a phone briefing for Cape Cod residents over 65 on the COVID-19 vaccine.
Speakers included:
Senator Julian Cyr
Mike Lauf, CEO, Cape Cod Healthcare
Dr. Kevin Mulroy, Senior VP, Cape Cod Healthcare
Kevin Cranston, Asst. Commissioner, MA Dept. of Public Health
Ron Bergstrom, Chair, Barnstable County Commissioners
Sean O'Brien, Director, Barnstable County Dept. of Health and Environment
Representative Sarah Peake
Congressman Bill Keating
You can find the most up to date information o COVID-19 Vaccine access on Cape Cod at www.BarnstableCountyHealth.org.
Listen to the Recording of the February 3rd Briefing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-qoEkb-fVU
Read a Transcript of the February 3rd Briefing by clicking here.
Why I Support the Reform, Shift + Build Act
I was proud to vote YES on the Senate’s Reform, Shift + Build Act, Senate Bill 2800 on July 14th. The final text of the bill passed by the Senate is here.
The Reform, Shift and Build Act makes meaningful changes to police practices and will advance a number of key racial justice priorities.
Senate Introduces Reform, Shift + Build Act
(BOSTON – 07/06/2020) The Massachusetts State Senate today unveiled An Act to Reform Police Standards and Shift Resources to Build a More Equitable, Fair and Just Commonwealth that Values Black Lives and Communities of Color—the Reform, Shift + Build Act—a comprehensive racial equity bill designed to increase police accountability, shift the roles of law enforcement away from surveillance and punishment, and begin to dismantle systemic racism. The bill is a direct response to statewide demonstrations for equity and justice, and the result of the work of the Senate’s bipartisan Senate Working Group on Racial Justice, appointed by the Senate President in early June.