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!

March 9, 2023

‘This is outrageous’: Advocates urge state to take control of four nursing homes slated to close

(Boston Globe - Kay Lazar) Advocates for elderly and disabled nursing home residents in Western Massachusetts are urging state regulators...
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March 8, 2023

Sen. Velis Visits OnPoint NYC, Harm-reduction and Overdose-prevention Center

(Health Care News) At the end of February, state Sen. John Velis visited the East Harlem location of OnPoint NYC,...
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March 3, 2023

Girls State a family tradition for Westfield student in Beacon Hill program

(The Westfield News/MassLive - Amy Porter) On Feb. 28, Madison Koziol of Westfield, a junior at Pope Francis Preparatory School...
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March 2, 2023

Senator Velis’s Message: Mental Health and Substance Use Big Problems Not Talked Enough About

(Holyoke Media) Last week Senate President Spilka announced new committee assignments for the 2023-2024 legislative session. Senator John Velis (D-Westfield)...
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March 2, 2023

Getting Answers: Mass. DPH to hold public hearing on nursing home closures

(Western Mass News - Paris Dunford) As the announced closures of four nursing homes here in western Mass., a hearing...
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March 2, 2023

Holyoke Soldiers’ Home gets new name, new state oversight

(Western Mass News - Paris Dunford) A name change has come to the Holyoke Soldier’s Home, as well as a...
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March 1, 2023

Families of closing Chicopee nursing homes say they are being offered placements in Pittsfield, Boston

(MassLive - Jeanette DeForge) Brenda Bauer and her family all live in the same area so when her brother got...
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February 26, 2023

New agriculture committee puts focus on region

(Daily Hampshire Gazette - Sydney Ko) Western Massachusetts will have ample representation on a new legislative committee focusing on agriculture....
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February 25, 2023

‘It’s flooding an already completely congested market.’ Nursing home closures in Western Mass. leave families and hospitals scrambling.

(Boston Globe - Kay Lazar) The abrupt announcement that four nursing homes in Western Massachusetts will be closing this spring...
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February 17, 2023

‘Breaking through the barriers’: MassHire Holyoke plans to expand efforts to aid workers recovering from addiction

(MassLive/The Republican - Jonah Snowden) MassHire Holyoke Career Center intends to expand on the work done by its Recovery Ready Workplace...
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What I’m up to on Instagram

Calling all elementary school teachers, MassDOT’s annual “Name A Snowplow” Contest is now accepting entries. This contest gives classrooms the chance to help name a MassDOT snow plow for the 2024/2025 winter season and win school supplies for their classroom!📚❄️ Here in Massachusetts, we are proud to stand by and support our Veterans, not just on Veterans Day, but every day. This week I had the honor of attending events for two incredible programs that are directly impacting the lives of those who served year-round. Last evening I was proud to join the Westfield Police Commission to celebrate and recognize Chief Valliere's four decades of service to our community. Congratulations on your well deserved retirement! Happy Veterans Day! Earlier today the Westfield community came together to properly retire worn and tattered American flags with honor at the Westfield Sportsman Club. Yesterday the final beam was put in place at the Holyoke Veterans Home, a major milestone that moves our community closer to finally achieving a new state of the art facility that is befitting of the service and sacrifices of our Commonwealth's veterans.

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