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.

In the News!

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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February 6, 2024

Sen. Velis reflects on 2023, focuses on future

(Reminder- Trent Levakis) State Sen. John Velis joined Holyoke Media for an end of year discussion to reflect on 2023...
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February 2, 2024

State Sen. Velis alarmed over pharmacies limiting Narcan access

(Daily Hampshire Gazette- Scott Mezback) — State law requires the overdose prevention drug naloxone — known by its brand name,...
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January 23, 2024

HERO Act will address issues facing Veterans in Massachusetts

(WWLP-Ellen Flemming) – Governor Healey testified Tuesday before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs on why the HERO Act should...
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January 22, 2024

Lawmakers calling for increase to naloxone access in the state

 (WWLP- Kristina D'Amours) – State leaders are demanding increased access to naloxone, the life-saving opioid reversal drug. Lawmaker’s calls are...
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January 16, 2024

Some Massachusetts assisted living facilities charging families rent after loved ones die

(WBZ News- Cheryl Fiandaca) WBZ-TV's I-Team has learned that most assisted living facilities in Massachusetts use landlord tenant agreements that...
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January 14, 2024

What Can States Do to Support Youth Mental Health? feat. Senator John C. Velis

(MGH Clay Center for Healthy Minds) To address the youth mental health crisis, we need to approach it from different...
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January 11, 2024

Armbrook Village Assisted Living in Westfield to receive Purple Flag for Dementia

 (WWLP- Emma McCorkindale) A Westfield senior living center earned the first Purple Flag Dementia Care Accreditation in western Massachusetts Thursday....
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