June 16, 2023

Senate Approves $590 Million Tax Relief Bill

Cape and Islands priorities advanced to triple septic tax credit, raise estate tax threshold, and incentivize year-round affordable rentals

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate unanimously advanced a progressive $590 million tax reform package on Thursday. The package incorporated several priorities long championed by Cape and Islands state Senator Julian Cyr (D – Truro) including tripling the septic tax credit to $18,000, doubling lead removal tax credits, raising the threshold of the estate tax to $2 million, and allowing cities and towns to opt-in to a property tax exemption for landlords renting affordable year-round units.

May 26, 2023

Cyr Secures Local and Statewide Wins in Fiscal Year 2024 Budget

Senate budget brings funds to Cape & Islands and bolsters the behavioral health workforce, elder nutrition programs, LGBTQ+ resources, and employee ownership

(BOSTON) — Following three days of debate, the Massachusetts Senate passed a $56 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24). Senator Julian Cyr (D—Truro) secured $2.85 million for statewide initiatives and an additional $850,000 for local Cape and Islands priorities.

May 19, 2023

Senate budget would save taxpayers $7.2 million on Nauset Regional High School rebuild

Proposal seeks to increase Massachusetts School Building Authority funding by $100 million to address construction cost spikes

BOSTON – The Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) budget proposed by the Massachusetts Senate contains a provision to boost funding for supplemental grants to school building projects impacted by unanticipated cost escalations. Under the budget proposal released by the Senate Committee on Ways & Means last week, the FY24 budget would expand funding to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to help close unanticipated funding gaps in school building projects. The increased funding would bring an additional $7.2 million to the Nauset Regional High School (NRHS) project, totaling over $43 million in state subsidy for the renovation.

REPRESENTATIVE HOGAN AND SENATOR CYR FILE COMPREHENSIVE PFAS LEGISLATION  

Establishes The PFAS Remediation Trust Fund; Regulates PFAS in Food Packaging and Consumer Products; Reduces PFAS in Wastewater; and Protects Firefighters from Elevated Exposure to ‘Forever Chemicals’  

May 8, 2023 

State commission releases recommendations to bolster behavioral health   

$192 million to benefit behavioral health workforce and youth services  

BOSTON – The Behavioral Health Advisory Commission tasked with investigating and assessing the state of behavioral health care in the Commonwealth and recommending how to spend tens of millions in federal relief dollars earmarked for mental health has completed its work. Co-chaired by Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) and Representative Adrian Madaro (D-East Boston), the Commission finalized its report last week outlining unanimous recommendations to the Legislature on how to distribute $192 million in federal COVID-19 recovery funds.  

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. 

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.

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.

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.