Cyr Amendments Pass State Senate

BOSTON – The Massachusetts State Senate passed two amendments filed by Cape and Islands State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro) as part of its supplemental budget.

The two pieces of legislation call for additional funding for police training and special education in Massachusetts, two areas Cyr said have not been appropriately funded in recent years.

The Municipal Police Training Amendment adds a $2 fee for each rental car transaction in Massachusetts, creating a dedicated funding source for police training in the state. Municipal police training saw a funding cut in the last fiscal year from $6.5 million to $4.8 million.

The move will reduce or eliminate the cost towns and cities incur for recruit training, according to Cyr.

“I heard from the 20 chiefs in the Cape & Islands District that they need a more predictable and stable funding source for training,” Cyr said. “We ask so much of our police departments and the men and women who serve in blue. The Senate did our part today to recognize their sacrifice and service by making sure they have the best available tools to keep our communities safe and prosperous.”

The special education amendment calls for an additional $4.5 million in funding for the state’s special education circuit breaker program, which provides additional money for school districts with high special ed costs.

“I have heard from nearly every Superintendent and many school committee members in my district imploring the Senate to take action to add funding this fiscal year for this critical need,” Cyr said. “The education of children with severe disabilities and complex medical needs is the responsibility of our Commonwealth as a whole, not just the municipality or the school district in which those children reside.”

Both amendments passed the Senate unanimously.

About CapeCod.com NewsCenter

The award-winning CapeCod.com NewsCenter provides the Cape Cod community with a constant, credible source for local news. We are on the job seven days a week.



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy