The state budget is obviously about money, but it is also a vehicle where some important policy changes can be enshrined into law. The FY ‘25 budget just signed by Governor Healey contains two provisions especially important to water quality on Cape Cod.
The first is a technical amendment to the Cape and Islands Water Protection Fund. APCC asked Representative Sarah Peake to sponsor an amendment that eliminates a cumbersome process and allows the Fund board, comprised of representatives from each Cape town, to contract directly through the Cape Cod Commission for water quality monitoring. Having the ability to locally control the selection and contracting for water quality monitoring instead of having to rely on the state to contract ensures that the proper monitoring is done and shared with the public and the communities. This is one of those nuanced but important things that helps determine how well we understand what is happening in our waters and if our management measures are having their intended effect. This is just the latest important measure supporting water quality that is attributable to Representative Peake’s considerable legislative skills. We thank her and will miss her in her well-deserved retirement from the legislature at the end of the year.
The second important change was championed by Senator Julian Cyr and supported by APCC in the conference committee process. The law was changed to make sewer connections in nitrogen sensitive areas eligible for the same tax credit as septic upgrades for year-round residents. This is an enormously impactful change that removes the bias in the tax code against sewer connections and therefore enhances the affordability of town wastewater program implementation. Additionally, this is a tax credit, a dollar-for-dollar reduction in taxes owed, not a deduction, which makes its impact greater. Obviously, you will need to assess the eligibility requirements to determine if they apply to you specifically. That said, as a rule this expanded tax credit will significantly help the year-round population that is already challenged by the higher cost of living and housing here on Cape Cod. Our thanks go out to Senator Cyr for making this important change happen. Our waters and residents will all benefit from his actions.
Subtle, but important, initiatives like these do not grab headlines, but they are every bit as important as the issues that gain more attention. The region is fortunate that our legislative delegation remains focused on the needs of the regions water quality initiatives and continue to deliver results.
