Senator Cyr Secures Key Wins in FY27 Budget Signed by Governor
BOSTON — State Senator Julian Cyr (D—Provincetown) secured key provisions to bolster support for seniors, protect vulnerable youth, and advance meaningful progress on the housing affordability crisis in the $63.42 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which Governor Maura Healey signed Thursday.
In a spending plan that pairs disciplined fiscal management with strategic investments that confront the Commonwealth’s most urgent challenges, Senator Cyr delivered targeted funding for communities across Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket — investments that will fortify local programs and deliver real, measurable impact.
“This budget puts our values into action — tackling the housing crisis head-on, strengthening aid for our most vulnerable neighbors, and driving crucial investments for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket.” Senator Cyr said. “We’re directing resources where they matter most and ensuring communities on the Cape and Islands have the tools they need to thrive.”
The new budget makes record investments in public education, unlocks new housing production, boosts the state’s public transportation systems, and protects vulnerable residents from the impact of federal cuts — all without raising taxes and while adding $51 million to the state’s ‘Rainy Day’ Stabilization Fund.
Senator Cyr secured a wide range of investments in the FY27 budget that will back solutions to pressing issues — from senior hunger to housing affordability — while supporting cultural, entrepreneurial, and environmental initiatives that strengthen communities across the Cape and Islands.
Statewide Policy Initiatives and Funding
Delivering for Seniors
A standout victory in this year’s budget for Senator Cyr is a $500,000 increase for Meals on Wheels and senior nutrition services — a lifeline for thousands of older adults across Massachusetts. As demand for home-delivered meals continues to climb and costs skyrocket, this investment will help ensure that seniors can age with dignity, stability, and the support they deserve.
Senator Cyr has been a steadfast advocate for strengthening these programs, which are especially critical for isolated or low-income seniors on the Cape and Islands. This funding reinforces the Commonwealth’s commitment to combating senior hunger and supporting the providers who show up for older residents every single day.
“Senator Cyr has been a longstanding supporter of the Meals on Wheels program, and his advocacy will help us meet the growing demand for these essential nutrition services,” said Maryanne Ryan, CEO of Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands.
Assistance to Cape & Island towns to solve the housing crisis
Cyr advanced a $175,000 investment that will allow the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to deliver technical assistance to Seasonal Communities. The Seasonal Communities designation, which has seen rapid adoption across the Cape and Islands, was designed and championed by Cyr to offer a policy toolkit for towns facing extreme seasonal housing pressures. This new funding will help municipalities put those tools to work faster and more effectively.
“The housing affordability crisis has reached a boiling point in Massachusetts, for Cape Cod and the Islands, where year-round residents are being squeezed by an impossible luxury housing market,” said Senator Cyr. “I’m proud of our work to roll out and implement innovative tools to bring about relief. With ambitious initiatives like the Seasonal Communities designation, we’re giving towns the ability to protect year-round residents and build a more stable future for everyone.”
This funding will help municipalities navigate the complex land use and regulatory challenges associated with significant seasonal populations. The resources may support the hiring of specialized expertise, such as a land use attorney, to assist in implementing policies that strengthen long-term planning in these communities.
The designation has so far been adopted by 17 towns across the Cape and Islands. Community leaders applauded the continued investment into housing solutions.
“The Seasonal Communities Designation is a valuable toolkit for Martha's Vineyard — this budget item will support necessary technical assistance to improve our implementation efforts,” said Adam Turner, Executive Director of the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.
Advancing worker ownership
As part of his commitment to building a more equitable and resilient economy, Cyr led an effort to secure $200,000 for the Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership (MassCEO), an office revived in 2019 via legislation championed by Cyr. This investment will go toward MassCEO’s efforts to expand worker ownership across the Commonwealth by covering key operational costs and service contracts that advance its mission. By investing in employee-owned business models, this amendment helps to empower workers, strengthen local economies, and promote long-term economic stability.
“A recent study by Small Business Administration noted that well over 90% of businesses in Massachusetts are under 19 workers – most have no plan of succession,” said Jeffrey Jones of the MassCEO Advisory Board. “Funding MassCEO provides an important tool to continue to support and maintain stable employment in the Commonwealth by promotion of worker-ownership as a viable option for succession. We congratulate our supporters in the Statehouse as we continue the process!”
Protecting LGBTQ+ homeless youth
Cyr filed an amendment securing $500,000 to continue groundbreaking work addressing the complex socioeconomic and health challenges faced by LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness across the state. The support will bolster innovative job training programs and comprehensive wraparound services, helping to create stable futures for some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable young people.
"BAGLY and Breaktime are incredibly grateful for Senator Cyr's continued leadership and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults, especially those who are experiencing homelessness,” said Grace S. Stowell, Executive Director of BAGLY. “This funding earmark provides critically important resources to address the unmet needs of some of the most vulnerable members in our communities, and we thank Senator Cyr for his unflagging championship for young people throughout the Commonwealth.”
Menstrual equity
Cyr was instrumental in a $150,000 allocation to the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Organization for Women so it can sustain and expand its menstrual equity program. This funding will help Mass Now to increase access to essential menstrual products, reduce barriers for individuals facing period poverty, and strengthen statewide initiatives that promote health, dignity, and equity.
“This funding is a critical investment in dignity, health, and educational equity across Massachusetts. For years, we’ve worked alongside advocates, students, and community partners to ensure that menstrual products are accessible to everyone who needs them — regardless of income or circumstance,” said Sasha Goodfriend, Executive Director of Mass NOW. “We are deeply grateful to Senator Cyr for championing this $150,000 investment in menstrual equity and recognizing that access to these essential products is not a luxury, but a basic necessity. This support will help sustain and expand the work that communities across the Commonwealth rely on every day.”
Addressing PFAS contamination
Cyr advanced a key policy to strengthen the Commonwealth’s response to PFAS contamination by directing funding to study, monitor, and address the health impacts of these “forever chemicals.” Massachusetts has identified PFAS in water systems across the state, posing serious risks including cancers, thyroid disease, developmental delays, and pregnancy complications. By prioritizing PFAS within the environmental and community health hazards program, the Department of Public Health will have the resources needed to protect communities, advance science-based solutions, and meet this growing public health and health equity challenge.
Protecting marine life
The Center for Coastal Studies, based in Provincetown, has been funded $150,000 for its marine entanglement response program statewide. This program represents one of the few expert marine animal disentanglement teams in the nation, which rapidly responds to whales and sea turtles in distress in our waters.
"Support for our whale and sea turtle conservation efforts bridges a significant budget gap, and allows the Center for Coastal Studies to continue both our research and disentanglement activities for large whales and sea turtles,” said Executive Director Anne-Marie Runfola. “Our research provides the Commonwealth with services it has long relied on to manage protected species, including the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale. In addition to protecting these beloved animals and the environment that supports them, it strengthens the marine economy. This funding also increases our ability to effectively respond to whales in distress, as entanglements remain all too common, affecting most whales during their lifetime, and often resulting in death and great suffering. So we are so grateful for this support, and for the shared appreciation for our marine environment."
Local Investments for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket
Celebrating 100 years of performance
The Cape Playhouse, in Dennis, will receive $100,000 for programming and initiatives tied to its Summer 2027 Centennial Season. The historic theater will use the money to develop special performances, community events, and educational offerings that celebrate its 100th anniversary. The investment supports one of the region’s key cultural institutions and enhances access to the arts for residents and visitors alike.
“The Cape Playhouse is deeply grateful to Senator Julian Cyr and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for this generous $100,000 earmark in support of programming and special initiatives surrounding the Cape Playhouse’s Centennial Celebration, 1927–2027,” said Nora Carey, Executive Director of Cape Cod Center for the Arts. “As America’s oldest continuously operating summer theatre approaches this extraordinary milestone, this investment will help us celebrate and honor a century of artistic achievement while expanding opportunities for audiences, artists, and the community to engage in this historic moment.”
A seat at the table
Family Table Collaborative, a community kitchen in Yarmouth, will be allocated $50,000 for infrastructure improvements to expand storage, refrigeration, delivery, and distribution capacity.
“On behalf of Family Table Collaborative, we are deeply grateful to Senator Julian Cyr for securing this $50,000 earmark investment in our work,” said Jeni Wheeler, Director and Co-founder of Family Table Collaborative. “This funding will help us increase nutritional security, expand access to education for cooking and eating as critical life skills, reduce food waste, and strengthen sustainability efforts across our communities. This investment is about building healthier, more connected communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive with dignity. As Congressman Jim McGovern recently said, “Health doesn’t start in a hospital; it starts in a kitchen.” We believe that healthier people create healthier communities. Senator Cyr’s leadership and commitment to community well- being and access to whole food, real food makes a meaningful difference, and we are honored to have both his support and his partnership.”
Caring for our veterans
The Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center will receive $30,000 for veterans’ housing and homelessness prevention services, as well as food security and transportation assistance. The funding also provides contract support for services delivered in partnership with the Cape Cod & Islands regional group of the Blinded Veterans Association. This investment helps strengthen coordinated resources for veterans across the region and supports efforts to enhance stability and access to essential services.
“We are deeply grateful to Senator Cyr for securing $30,000 in support of veterans across our region. His continued commitment to our mission and to the well-being of those who have served reflects a strong and consistent dedication to addressing the real needs of veterans on Cape Cod and the Islands,” said James Seymour, Executive Director of the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center. “This funding will directly strengthen critical services including housing stability, homelessness prevention, food security, and transportation, while also supporting our partnership with the Blinded Veterans Association of Cape Cod & the Islands. Senator Cyr’s ongoing advocacy ensures that vital programs like ours can continue to provide meaningful, life-changing support to veterans and their families.”
PFAS exposure study
Silent Spring Institute has been funded $25,000 to support its study of health effects associated with PFAS exposure from contaminated wells in the Hyannis area. This funding will assist researchers in reconstructing past exposure levels to improve understanding of potential long-term health impacts.
“We are grateful to Senator Cyr for his continued commitment to the Massachusetts PFAS & Your Health Study,” said Dr. Laurel Schaider, senior scientist at Silent Spring Institute. “This research is critical for understanding the long-term health impacts of PFAS contamination in drinking water and for protecting impacted residents in Hyannis, as well as communities across the state. The findings will help guide clinical care and public health responses, while positioning Massachusetts as a national leader in addressing the PFAS crisis.”
Learn-to-ride program
Community Connections, which helps people who have disabilities achieve independence, has been awarded $25,000 to support a pilot cycling initiative on Cape Cod through its Explorers Program. Community Connections will use the money to buy standard and adaptive bicycles, storage solutions, helmets, safety gear, adaptive accessories, and visibility equipment. The investment expands opportunities for participants to build confidence, mobility skills, and independence through safe and inclusive cycling experiences.
“At Community Connections, we believe in creating opportunities that bring people together and empower individuals of all abilities to thrive,” said Katie Driscoll, President and CEO of Community Connections. “We are deeply grateful to Senator Cyr for championing this investment in our learn-to-ride program. Through CCI's Explorers Program, this funding will expand access to inclusive, skill-building wellness experiences that foster independence, confidence, and belonging. It is a powerful example of what is possible when communities and leaders work together to open doors and strengthen connections for everyone.”
Fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs
Amplify POC’s Youth Innovation Lab, based in Hyannis, has been appropriated $25,000 to support entrepreneurship programming for young participants. This funding will help cultivate core business skills through hands-on learning, mentorship, and project development. The initiative culminates in microgrants and continued guidance for emerging -youth-led ventures, strengthening pathways for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“Amplify POC’s Youth Innovation Lab was created to help young people see themselves as innovators, leaders, and changemakers capable of building their own pathways toward opportunity and economic empowerment,” said Tara Vargas Wallace, Founder and CEO of Amplify POC. “Investments like this are not simply investments in programming — they are investments in the future of our communities, the potential of our youth, and the belief that every young person deserves access to resources, mentorship, and spaces where their ideas are valued and nurtured. We are deeply grateful for Senator Cyr’s support of this important work.”
Bolstering businesses on Cape Cod
CapeTide, a new economic development corporation launched in partnership with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, has been earmarked $25,000. The organization will support entrepreneurship programming, mentorship opportunities, and resources for emerging businesses across the region. The investment helps strengthen local economic development efforts and fosters a supportive environment for new and growing enterprises on Cape Cod.
“CapeTide exists to bring together entrepreneurs and the community members who want to help them succeed,” said Christin Marshall, Executive Director of CapeTide. “We’re thankful to Senators Cyr and Fernandes for supporting a community-powered approach to strengthening Cape Cod’s economy.”
Remembering lives lost at sea
The Fishermen’s Memorial Foundation Provincetown will receive $25,000 to support the completion and installation of a memorial to honor members of the fishing community who have been lost at sea. With this funding, organizers can move toward finalizing the design and placement of the tribute — ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of generations of local fishers are recognized and remembered. The memorial will serve as a lasting reflection of the community’s maritime heritage and the individuals who shaped it.
“This critical funding moves Provincetown past nearly five decades of discussion and into direct action to honor the more than 900 brave souls who lost their lives to the sea over our fleet's 300-year history,” said Michael Chute, fundraising lead for the Fishermen’s Memorial Foundation. “Commercial fishing in the Northeast remains the nation's second deadliest occupation according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, yet these individuals have never received a permanent, dignified tribute. The time for talk has passed, and the time for action is now.”
Additional local investments include:
The budget allows funds to be expended to Nantucket Cottage Hospital and Martha’s Vineyard Hospital to support off-island medical transportation services
$100,000 for Barnstable County to support fire training programs and essential equipment
$100,000 for the Lower Cape Cod Community Development Corporation and its efforts to promote affordable and attainable year-round housing
$40,000 to fund a feasibility study for the Hughes Hatchery, a state-owned Division of Marine Fisheries property leased to the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group
$30,000 to purchase equipment that will enhance live broadcast training for students and expand NCTV’s coverage of Nantucket student athletics.
$25,000 to support programming and initiatives at the Nantucket African Meeting House, a satellite site of the Museum of African American History