Moakley sworn in as Island state representative

Freshman lawmaker Thomas Moakley will hold Island office hours on Jan. 10.

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Thomas Moakley sworn in on New Years Day. - Sarah Peake

Thomas Moakley, a Falmouth Democrat, was sworn in on New Year’s Day as the newest representative for Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Gosnold at the State House.

On Wednesday, Gov. Maura Healey swore in the freshman lawmaker with other newly elected house representatives during a traditional ceremony. The 30-year-old was joined by friends and family, as well as Oak Bluffs Police clerk and diabetes advocate Jeannie Wright.

Moakley said it was a proud moment. “After a busy campaign year, the 194th General Court is now underway and I cannot wait to get to work,” he said. “Thank you to the voters who have trusted me to be your voice on Beacon Hill, and to the family, friends, volunteers, and supporters who made this dream come true.”

In September, Moakley cruised to victory in the Democratic primary, defeating West Tisbury resident Arielle Faria. There were no Republican challengers on the ballot, so Moakley again cruised to a win in the general November election. 

The lawmaker told the Times that he joins 19 other freshman representatives on Beacon Hill, who have all been given offices on the basement floor of the State House, with folding desks. But Moakley said he doesn’t mind the modest furnishings: He’s ready to roll up his sleeves. 

The Falmouth Democrat campaigned on making the region more sustainable and affordable for working families — in light of rising costs for homes and goods, and also in the face of climate change. He also plans to advocate for senior services and reproductive rights.

Moakley replaces Dylan Fernandes as representative for the Island; Fernandes, also a Falmouth Democrat, chose not to run for re-election. Instead, he ran successfully for the state Senate, representing the Upper Cape and Plymouth.

Moakley on Friday announced that he will be holding his first set of district office hours next week, and he looks forward to hearing from constituents. He said he is looking for ideas for new legislation. 

Moakley will be on the Vineyard on Jan. 10 at the Oak Bluffs library, from 11 am to 1 pm, and the West Tisbury Public Library from 2 to 4 pm. The young state rep said that he wanted to give his constituents time to propose legislation before the deadline passes for new proposals at the end of the month.

He will also be in Falmouth on Jan. 11, at the Woods Hole Coffee Obsession from 10 am to noon, and Nantucket on Jan. 12, at the Corner Table from 11 am to 1 pm.

 

Also on Wednesday, Cape and Islands state Senator Julian Cyr, a Democrat from Provincetown, was sworn in for what will be his fifth term; he will again represent the Vineyard, Nantucket, and much of the Cape. Cyr won a landslide against second-time challenger Republican Chris Lauzon of Hyannis in November.

The Provincetown Democrat tells The Times that his focus will remain on housing, as it has been since he was first elected in 2016.

“Housing remains my first, second, third, and fourth priority,” Cyr said. “Islanders and Cape Codders are not going to be able to sustain a year-round community if we don’t change course on housing.”

Cyr said that the state took a progressive step forward last legislative session by passing the Affordable Homes Act, which, aside from authorizing $5.16 billion in spending over the next five years, also grants a distinction to the Island as a seasonal community. Cyr said that the distinction gives towns the tools they need to both build and preserve year-round, below-market housing. 

In his next term, the focus will be on finding a revenue stream that will help municipalities move those priorities forward. Cyr believes that should be in the form of a transfer fee, a proposal long endorsed by Island voters, that would impose a fee on high-end real estate transactions. Housing advocates on the Island were hopeful that lawmakers would give Island towns the ability to enact a transfer fee during the last session, but it was nixed from Gov. Maura Healey’s housing bill, with the real estate lobby strongly opposing the option.

Among other priorities going forward, Cyr said that lawmakers and the governor are poised to pass an environmental bond bill that will help with coastal resiliency, one that he expects will bring money to the Cape and Islands region. Cyr is also optimistic about passing comprehensive PFAS legislation, which he has been working on for several years. There is also hope to find a revenue source for the replacement of the Bourne Bridge on the Cape, after funding has been solidified for the Sagamore Bridge replacement. 

And Cyr is also interested in seeing improvements to the Steamship Authority. He said many of the recent complaints about operations on the ferry line are mostly managerial issues. But he wants to see efforts to move the ferry fleet toward electrification, improvements to the Steamship’s website, and there’s a possibility of considering term limits for Steamship board and Port Council members.

Cyr said that he is also excited to get to work with his new partner, Moakley. He is so far impressed with the work ethic of the freshman lawmaker, and thinks they will be able to continue a strong track record of working together, as Cyr had done with Fernandes.

“I really get a sense that he is about getting the work done,” Cyr said of Moakley. “It’s not about getting the credit. He’s goal-oriented which I like best among my colleagues.”