Welcome!

Welcome to my official Senate website! Here you can follow my legislative work in the Massachusetts State Senate, read recent news about our district and Commonwealth, and learn how to get in touch with me.

It is an honor to represent the nine communities of the Hampden and Hampshire District.

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Newsletter

In the News!

April 11, 2024

Westfield ahead of new federal PFAS contamination limits

(WWLP- Duncan MacLean) – The Federal Environmental Protection Agency has announced new, stringent limits for levels of PFAS contamination in...
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April 1, 2024

State leaders in Russell discuss opioid epidemic in rural areas

(WWLP-  Melissa Torres, Emma McCorkindale) – Senator John Velis, who chairs the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and...
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March 25, 2024

West Springfield honors Route 20 as ‘Medal of Honor Highway

(WWLP- Kaylee Collins)  A ceremony was held in West Springfield Monday morning to celebrate a portion of Route 20 in...
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March 22, 2024

Mass­a­chu­setts Senate unan­i­mously passes revenge porn bill

(Spectrum News- Amanda Keane) Massachusetts is one of only two states in the nation without revenge porn laws on the books, but legislators are one...
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March 20, 2024

Elected officials lend support to libraries, readers’ freedom

(REMINDER- Tyler Lederer) At a legislative breakfast Feb. 16, library advocates told local legislators to prioritize funding libraries and promoted...
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March 18, 2024

Ending veteran homelessness is achievable

Pairing housing with support services is the key to success. (Boston Globe Editorial Board) Governor Maura Healey earlier this month...
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March 18, 2024

State lawmakers, city councilors discuss violent repeat offenders in Springfield

(WesternMass News-Maria Wilson - Lawmakers paying a visit to Springfield’s City Council meeting Monday night to discuss possible legislation to...
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February 22, 2024

Getting Answers: New gun reform bills proposed, what are the differences?

(WesternMass News- Amanda Callahan) In the past six months, both the Massachusetts House and Senate passed bills aimed at gun reform in the...
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February 14, 2024

Westfield High School celebrates Community Closet reopening

(Reminder- Amy Porter) Westfield High School on Feb. 12 celebrated the grand reopening of its newly refurbished Community Closet, which...
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February 9, 2024

Velis Amendment to Firearm Bill Receives Praise

(Westfield New) During the Senate’s gun bill debate yesterday, an amendment by Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) was unanimously adopted with...
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What I’m up to on Instagram

There is nothing better than sitting down to read a good book! April is a very special month for Team Velis as it recognizes and brings awareness to two topics that are close to home for my incredible staff. Last week the Westfield community gathered together during a solemn ceremony at the Sons of Erin to honor and remember Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers who lost his life earlier this year while serving our nation. Looking for something for your student to do this school vacation week? The MSBA just announced that they are accepting applications from Massachusetts first graders for their 15th annual "My Ideal School" contests! Sending my best wishes for success to the EHS We The People Class who will be down in DC this weekend to represent Massachusetts at the National We The People Competition! I was proud to join the Holyoke and Chicopee District Courts for the launch of their Access to Treatment Services program, known as CHATs, earlier this week. Through the CHATs program recovery coaches and coordinators will be made available at the district courts to share treatment resources to those struggling with an opioid use disorder.

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