Xiarhos Appointed to Serve on Four Key Legislative Committees

February 22, 2023

BOSTON – BOSTON, Mass. – State Representative Steve Xiarhos (R – 5th Barnstable) is pleased to announce that he has been appointed to serve as a member of the Joint Committee on Ways and Means for the 2023-2024 Legislative Session.

As a member of the Ways and Means committee, Xiarhos will play a crucial role in shaping the state’s budget and fiscal policies, including laws regarding revenue, and making recommendations on state expenditures. In this capacity, Xiarhos will be well-positioned to work on policies that have a direct impact on the economic well-being and prosperity of Cape Cod residents.

In addition to serving on the Ways and Means Committee, Xiarhos also will serve as the Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, Assistant Ranking Minority Member on the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, and as a member of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery.

“I am honored to have been selected for these committee assignments, and I look forward to having these committees get down to work soon,” Xiarhos said. “I appreciate the opportunity to work directly on issues that affect the economic prosperity, public safety, and well-being of the people who live in the 5th Barnstable District. In particular, I believe my past professional experience as a Deputy Police Chief, as well as my perspective as a Gold Star Father, will help to guide me in my work on these committees.”

Xiarhos was assigned to serve on legislative committees by House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R – North Reading), who praised Xiarhos’ work to-date as a member of the Legislature since 2021.

“As a Gold Star Father who recently completed a 40-year career in law enforcement, Steve has been an outspoken advocate for our veterans, military families and first responders, and will continue to prioritize their needs by returning to the Veterans and Federal Affairs and Public Safety and Homeland Security committees this session,” Jones said. “Steve’s new committee assignments will ensure that he also plays an active role over the next two years in the state budget process and in helping the Commonwealth to address many critical mental health and substance addiction issues.”

Steve Xiarhos is State Representative for the 5th Barnstable District, which consists of the town of Sandwich and portions of Barnstable and Bourne. Prior to serving in the Legislature, Xiarhos worked as a Yarmouth police officer for four decades, retiring from the position of Deputy Chief of Police in late 2019.

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Cape Cod Times: Newly elected Cape Cod officials ready to get to work

January 5, 2021

Steve Xiarhos was featured in an article in today’s Cape Cod Times regarding newly-elected officials and their priorities.

From the story:

Fellow freshman Steven Xiarhos, a West Barnstable Republican who beat out James Dever for the 5th Barnstable District state representative seat that was vacated by Randy Hunt, also said his top priority was the pandemic.

“We will hit the ground running and obviously one of our biggest concerns is the whole COVID issue,” he said. “It’s worse now than ever.”

The two are the Cape’s true freshman legislators and will be sworn in at the Statehouse on Wednesday, though the usual pomp and circumstance will be toned down. Friends and family can’t come to watch this year because of COVID-19 protocols, and there will be a small, distanced in-person ceremony for the new class of legislators, according to Xiarhos.

Even still, he said Monday he was feeling “humbled, grateful and very excited,” to serve his district.

Please click on the link below to read the full article:
https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2021/01/04/covid-19-top-priority-newly-elected-cape-officials/4133299001/

NBC10 Boston: Comments by Steve Xiarhos regarding recent shooting of a MA State Police Trooper on Cape Cod

December 4, 2020

Steve Xiarhos was interviewed briefly today by NBC10 Boston regarding the recent shooting of a Massachusetts State Police Trooper on Cape Cod.

From NBC10’s coverage:

Former Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief and incoming State Rep. Steven Xiarhos stopped in at Lennon’s barracks in a show of support Friday.

“I just came by today to thank the State Police and to let them know that we love them and we respect them,” Xiarhos said.

Xiarhos said the situation reminds him of Sgt. Sean Gannon, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 12, 2018. Gannon’s K-9, Nero, was also shot and underwent emergency surgery. He has since recovered.

“It brings back a lot of memories of Sean Gannon,” Xiarhos said. “Thank God we aren’t going through a funeral of a police officer.”

Please click on the link below to watch the full interview:
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/what-we-know-about-andre-sterling-the-mass-fugitive-killed-in-ny-shootout-with-feds/2248340/

Cape Cod Times: Xiarhos Included in Coverage of the Police Reform Bill

December 2, 2020

Steve Xiarhos was quoted today in a Cape Cod Times story regarding passage of the so-called “Police Reform Bill” (S. 2963) and the opinions of Cape Cod leaders regarding the bill:

“I am disappointed by the Legislature’s passage of the police reform bill yesterday. After months of mostly private deliberations, the final bill was voted on hastily and without debate and contemplation befitting its significance,” [Xiarhos] said in a statement. “And, while I share the belief that certain reforms are needed, I oppose this particular bill as a whole. The end product, I believe, will undermine first responders and legitimate public safety efforts statewide. That is unacceptable. I urge Governor Baker to review this bill carefully and ultimately to veto it.”

Click on the link below for the full story in the Cape Cod Times:
https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2020/12/02/opinions-differ-police-reform-bill/3802576001/?fbclid=IwAR150mJQHbHxEHGStAWW4gBCGmGWCFNh6TJHHvAB0ZsPYfgJBwrwQhsYoZU

Cape Cod Times: Xiarhos to propose bill to aid injured first responders

December 1, 2020

The Cape Cod Times published a story today regarding the filing of legislation by Steve Xiarhos regarding fundraisers for first responders injured in the line of duty:

From the story:

One of the first things state Rep-elect Steve Xiarhos, R-West Barnstable, plans to do when he takes office is file a bill to ensure future fundraisers for first responders injured in the line of duty are legal.

Xiarhos, a retired Yarmouth deputy police chief, came up with the idea after questions were raised about the legality of a GoFundMe fundraising effort for state Trooper John Lennon, 28, who was shot during a car stop in Hyannis on Nov. 20. The gunshot went through his right hand, according to state police.

Read the full story in the Cape Cod Times:
https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/2020/12/01/steve-xiarhos-proposes-fundraiser-bill-for-police-officers-injured-while-on-duty-duty-john-lennon/3783643001/

Xiarhos Wins State Rep. Race

November 3, 2020

“SANDWICH — Former Yarmouth police Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos will be the 5th Barnstable District’s next state representative, beating James Dever in Tuesday’s election by 1,167 votes.

Xiarhos, a Republican from West Barnstable, will succeed state Rep. Randy Hunt, R-Sandwich, who decided not to run for a sixth term this year.”