Political Notes: Cyr hires health care advocate as legislastive director

Aug. 13--BOSTON -- State Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, has hired Elizabeth Ganz to be the new legislative director and general counsel for his office.

Ganz, 49, has dedicated much of her legal career advocating to improve health care for Bay State residents and is no stranger to Beacon Hill. She previously served as a research analyst for the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Health Care Financing and most recently worked as a staff attorney at Health Law Advocates providing free legal representation to low-income clients. In addition, Ganz has worked in the Massachusetts Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and is a certified SHINE counselor assisting clients in understanding health insurance options under Medicare and Medicaid.

"I am delighted to get the chance to work with Liz to represent the Cape & Islands District. She is a tireless advocate for health equity and health care reform, which are top priorities for the Senate," Cyr said.

Cyr is the Senate chairman of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. He also serves on the Joint Committee on Public Health and Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.

Ganz's predecessor, Jordan Velozo, recently joined the Cape Cod Commission after serving as Cyr's legislative director and general counsel for three years.

----OpenCape, the Barnstable-based nonprofit organization that owns and operates a fiber optic network, took to social media last week with Facebook and Twitter posts that could be interpreted as political in nature.

Accompanied by a photo of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, the organization posted the following:

"Happy to see a candidate raise connectivity and the digital divide as topics for the Presidential Race. Possibly this will remind Governor Baker and Secretary Kennealy that the $887,000 allocated for Falmouth, Hyannis & Provincetown in last year's Economic Development Bill should be released so we can improve connectivity on Main Street in three communities on the Cape. It would be a great start! Western Mass has received nearly $100 million in support from the Commonwealth over the past 3 years. The Cape and Islands have received $0."

The posts linked to a Wired magazine article titled "Elizabeth Warren Unveils A Plan To Expand Broadband Access."

"For an organization to be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) it cannot participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements) any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office," according to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service website.

Steven Johnston, executive director of OpenCape, told the Times on Monday the posts were not intended to be an endorsement of Warren, but the organization was simply pleased that any presidential candidate was raising broadband connectivity as an issue.

"We are frustrated with the (Baker) administration, which seems to be focused on Western Mass. and not paying a lot of attention to the Cape and Islands," Johnston said. "We have begged for them to release (the funds)."

----The Cape Cod Grandmothers Against Gun Violence will hold a "mega rally" from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Airport Rotary in Hyannis.

"... the rally sends a message to our politicians and elected officials as well as those who would oppose common-sense gun safety that gun violence has become a public health crisis," according to the group.

----Nantucket is a popular place for current and former U.S. vice presidents this summer.

Days after a visit by Vice President Mike Pence, former Vice President Joe Biden, who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, will be heading to the Grey Lady.

Biden is scheduled to appear at a fundraiser hosted by Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, former ambassador to Portugal, at her Eel Point Road home Saturday, according to The Inquirer and Mirror.

Also on Saturday, a reception for Jill Biden, the candidate's wife, will be held in Provincetown. Suggested contributions range from $250 to $5,000. RSVP to Justin Brennan at [email protected] or 202-351-1684. The event location will be provided upon RSVP.

----A fundraising event for Cyr will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Truro Vineyards and South Hollow Spirits, 11 Shore Road, North Truro.

Suggested contributions range from $100 to $1,000 per person, with a special $33 rate for activists and students.

RSVP at secure.actblue.com/donate/cyrtrurovineyards19.

----The Massachusetts Senate adjourned in memory of Barnstable police Sgt. Jason Sturgis on Aug. 8. Sturgis, 42, died last month after serving as a member of the department for nearly two decades.

----The Eastham Democratic Town Committee's monthly meeting will be held at 10:05 a.m. Saturday at Eastham Public Library, 190 Samoset Road.

New Democrats who are or will turn 18 by primary day March 4 are welcome to attend.

----The Bourne Republican Town Committee will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at 118 Waterhouse Road, Suite B.

----Here's what some elected officials were tweeting about during the past week:

State Rep. Sarah Peake, D-Provincetown, (@skpeake) on Aug. 8:

"Working with #BillStraus to get more federal transportation money to our regions! Let's not leave money on the table. Additional data could net Cape more transportation funding"

Barnstable County Commissioner Ronald Beaty Jr. (@ronbeatyjr) on Aug. 10:

"Though they've had decades to implement a solution, the #CapeCod & Islands Legislative Delegation has failed miserably to solve the traffic and maintenance problems regarding the #CapeCod Canal Bridges. They are the most useless group of state legislators in the Commonwealth."

State Rep. Timothy Whelan, R-Brewster, (@TRWhelan) on Aug. 11:

"Yesterday was a great day for @brewstercapecod as we enjoyed the 41st running of the "Brew Run." 5.2 miles of a hilly but beautiful course with good friends. Right around 1,200 runners and a supporting cast of hundreds more volunteers and supporters cheering our runners on."

-- Follow Geoff Spillane on Twitter: @GSpillaneCCT. Items for the Political Notes column may be sent to [email protected].

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