Author: john_velis

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Local legislators presented a check from the Commonwealth of Mass to the PHIWM

(The Republican- Pam Mastriano)- Local legislators presented a $200,000 check from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) to support its 413Cares initiative, which connects people with the critical resources they need in an online portal. The event took place at PHIWM offices, 127 State Street in Springfield.

The check presentation was attended by State Senator Adam Gomez, State Representatives Michael Finn and Carlos Gonzalez, and an aide representing Senator John Velis, along with representatives from organizations partnering with the Public Health Institute on the 413Cares initiative.

“413Cares has truly modernized and expanded how residents access resources here in Western Massachusetts. Their easy-to-use and central location provides information about countless different programs – dramatically simplifying a once daunting task for those seeking help.” Shared Senator John C. Velos I am proud to have joined my colleagues to support this invaluable asset for our region in the FY24 Budget.” 

The funding was secured for 413Cares in the FY2024 state budget as the result of a legislative earmark, sponsored by Representative Finn and Senator Gomez. Funding was secured through the Department of Public Health.

Launched in 2019 by PHIWM with the support of Baystate Health, 413Cares.org is an online community resource database for Western Massachusetts. The platform has reached more than 100,000 searches and over 111,000 interactions with programs in the region. Top searches were for housing, food resources and health-related resources.

PHIWM has received funding from the Commonwealth in the past two legislative budgeting cycles to support 413Cares, which is managed by PHIWM. Resources from the State have been used to collect data during and after the pandemic and have also been utilized to improve and update the 413Cares.org website, and raise awareness of the resource in the region.

This year, the state resources are funding three new regional partners to provide outreach, promotion and support of the platform: Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Quaboag Hills Community Coalition, and the Hilltown Community Health Center. This is in addition to existing regional partner Community Action Pioneer Valley, funded by Baystate Health.

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Weekly Update- December 23rd

Happy Holidays Everyone,

This time of year can be wonderful with all the family and friends in town. But it can also be stressful, and I hope you all are able to take some time to rest during this busy season. And with tomorrow being Christmas Eve, be sure to put to in a good word for my son, Carson, if anyone happens to run into Santa Claus.

This month also marks open enrollment season for the Massachusetts HealthConnector. This state program can help you find affordable insurance plans as well as connect you with MassHealth should you qualify. During open enrollment, anyone can sign up to try and find more affordable coverage. If you need assistance doing so, my office is readily available.

Monday morning was the official check presentation for the most recent funding in the state budget allocated to 413Cares. This wonderful organization helps connects those in need with local services and resource throughout our region. This could be food, housing, recovery services, or mental health counseling. This group does fantastic work and I was proud to work with my colleagues in our region to secure $200,000 in funding for them in the state budget.

As a typical near the end of the calendar year, this week was busy with a flurry of citation presentations, award ceremonies, and retirement celebrations.

Monday evening, I joined community members in bidding farewell to Robert Whitney and Madelyn Miller, two long serving members pf the West Springfield Council on Arts. I presented them with citations from the Senate for both having served for over seven years on the Council. Afterwards I stopped by the West Springfield’s City Council to help recognize Councilor Eger and Councilor Sullivan during their last Council Meeting. It’s always great to help celebrate the contributions folks make to our communities and I wish all four the very best.

Wednesday afternoon marked the first Westfield Volunteer of the year awards in two years. From nine nominees, who had to be nominated by their peers, four were chosen as the 2022 and 2023 man and woman volunteers of the year. My team presented all of them with citations from the State Senate. Congratulations to Michael Raposo, Sheila Elmer, Patricia Steele-Perkins, and Bob Plasse for these well-deserved awards! Our community is lucky to have you.

Wednesday night marked the final City Council Meeting for Easthampton councilor, Dan Rist. Having served on the council for twenty-seven years, Dan was one the original city council members when the town reincorporated into a city in 1996. Congratulations on your retirement, Dan!

This week, my team hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday and in Holyoke on Wednesday. Next week, we will be in Russell on Tuesday from 11:30 to 12:30 and in Southampton on Wednesday. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Happy Holidays,

John Velis

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Weekly Update- December 16th

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone is staying warm this week. This one was certainly one of the colder ones that we have had so far this season. I just want to remind everyone too that should you be in need of utility assistance or think you might qualify, my staff is readily available to assist.

On Monday, four of my own bills had a hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security related to improving our Commonwealth’s public safety systems and supporting our law enforcement officers. This is the just the start of the legislative process and I’m looking forward to continuing to advocate for these bills in the new year.

After the hearing, I was honored to join hundreds of Goldstar families for 12th Annual Military Friends Foundation Military tree dedication in the State House as well. The Military Friends Foundation is a wonderful nation-wide organization that does incredible work supporting those who have lost a loved one who served in the military. It was a truly special event of recognition and remembrance and a big thanks to this group for organizing as well as inviting me.

On Tuesday, I joined the Western Mass Police Chiefs Association for their meeting in Holyoke. It was great to hear updates about the different departments in the region and discuss some of the challenges they are facing.

Thursday afternoon, I was delighted to join the Holyoke Community Roots Neighborhood Services for their monthly veterans’ luncheon, this month of course being themed for the holidays. This is such a great organization and a great group of vets. I’m already looking forward to the next one.

A Congratulations is in in order for Fran Liptak for her retirement from the Westfield Light Board! On Thursday afternoon I had the opportunity to present her with an official citation from the State Senate for twenty-seven years of distinguished public service. Thank you, Fran! You will be missed.

Friday afternoon, I was asked to speak with some of my fellow (if a bit younger) Bombers from the Westfield High Current Events Class. I cannot stress enough the importance of civic engagement, especially in our youth, and it was great to chat with this group of hardworking students and future leaders.

This week, my team hosted office hours at the Chicopee COA on Tuesday and the West Side COA on Wednesday. Next week, we will be at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:30. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Happy Holidays,

John Velis

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Happy 387th birthday to the National Guard!

(WWLP- Ellen Fleming) A birthday celebration of sorts was held at the State House Wednesday. Memorial Hall was packed for the 387th anniversary of the country’s first National Guard regiment.

On this day in 1636, the first militia regiments in North America formed in the Commonwealth. The militia was organized into regiments, three which became the Massachusetts Army National Guard. The Guard has fought in all of the nation’s major wars, and currently fights in Iraq and Afghanistan. The guard also has boots on the ground in Massachusetts currently assisting with the migrant crisis.

State Senator John Velis of Westfield, a Major in the National Guard, was acknowledged by Governor Maura Healey during the ceremony for his work with those in emergency shelters.

“Just look what they do, right? Civil unrest, helping out, giving people shots. I mean, driving busses, currently the migrant stuff. Just a lot of different things, that’s in addition to going to war, so really happy to be proud of it, it’s where I’m from, I love this state. Now to be apart of the National Guard, it’s moving,” said Senator Velis.

The Governor and Commander in Chief of the National Guard spoke Wednesday on the importance of the work they do everyday serving our country.

“We call upon you, this country calls upon you, this state calls upon you, and we need you, to do so many things, and you always rise to the challenge,” said Governor Healey.

The event ended with Major General Gary W. Keefe, alongside the youngest and oldest serving National Guard member cutting a birthday cake with a ceremonial sword.

Awards were also given out, and Colonel David Halaski-Kun was honored for saving a woman’s life on the Mass Pike in Chicopee. Colonel Halaski-Kun is the Wing Commander of the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield.

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Weekly Update- December 9th, 2023

Hello Everyone,

I hope you all stayed warm on this chilly December week. I am keeping my fingers crossed about some snowfall in the coming weeks.

Monday morning was a busy day on Beacon Hill with a hearing for the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security and a hearing for the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, which I Chair. During the hearing, one of my bills S.1275, An Act establishing a commission to study the availability of a continuum of care for persons, was heard. This bill would establish a commission to study the availability of resources and continuation of care for persons with substance use disorders.  As committees begin wrapping up hearings ahead of reporting bills out, I look forward to continuing to advocate for legislation to support our communities.

On Tuesday I had the honor of visiting the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club to celebrate state funding for their new teen center that will begin later this upcoming spring. I was proud to work alongside the MA Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, and my colleagues, to secure over $70,000 for the teen center and am beyond excited for this project.

Thursday marked the 82nd anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor.  To commemorate, the Westfield Veterans Council held a remembrance event at Half Mile Falls Park right here in downtown Westfield.  We cannot forget those we lost that day and all the lives we lost throughout the second world war. It was my honor to speak at this event and I am grateful to the Council for putting this on.

On Thursday I was also thrilled to present a Citation to Carter Janik at Chicopee City Hall. Carter is a student at Chicopee Comp High School who recently went to the SkillsUSA competition, which is focused on helping students with career readiness, and professional skills. Carter was named the National Champion-Gold Medal winner at the district and state competitions. Great work Carter!

It’s always wonderful to support fundraising in our community, and on Friday I joined community members at the Holyoke Council on Aging to celebrate generous donations from the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival Committee to the to the River Valley Counseling Center and the Forum House. Both entities are focused on helping our communities with mental health and have made lasting impressions on people for many years.

This week, my team hosted office hours at the Agawam COA on Monday.  Next week, we will be at the Chicopee COA on Tuesday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am and the West Side COA on Wednesday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.  If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 527-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Happy Holidays,

John Velis

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SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET TO CLOSE FISCAL YEAR 2023 PASSED BY SENATE, SIGNED INTO LAW  

Bill passes shortly after being received from House, clears way for funding of emergency shelter aid and worker contracts 

BOSTON (12/05/2023) – Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate took final action on a supplemental budget designed to close out Fiscal Year 2023. The Senate’s supplemental budget totals $3.1 billion and contains several provisions to support the ongoing operations of programs and services that benefit the residents of the Commonwealth.  

To address the ongoing humanitarian emergency shelter crisis, the final bill allocates $250 million to be spent to address costs associated with sheltering eligible families, including by making funding available for temporary emergency shelter sites for families on a waitlist for permanent shelter.  The final bill also stipulates that a portion of the $250 million be spent on support services and resources so that individuals and families can address the complex issues and challenges they face, as well as reimbursements to school districts for increased enrollment costs associated with an influx of migrant students. 

To ensure oversight of spending on the emergency shelter crisis, the bill requires robust reporting every 14 days. In addition to $250 million for the emergency shelter system, the budget provides $10 million for resettlement agencies to assist immigrants and refugees and authorizes the use of up to $2 million in available funds from the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to support career centers in their efforts to assist immigrants and refugees in securing federal work authorizations. 

“The Senate understands how much of an impact our work has on the residents of the Commonwealth—especially when pay raises for hard-working employees and funding for emergency shelter is on the line,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’m proud of the urgency the Senate has repeatedly shown in getting this bill to the Governor’s desk, and I’d like to thank all of my colleagues in the Senate for getting this done, especially Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues and Senate Minority Leader Tarr.” 

“The Senate again acted swiftly and decisively to close the books and pass the closeout supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2023. With $250 million in emergency funding, we met the challenge of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis head-on. We also allocated $378 million to fully fund over 90 collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) for state workers, absolved a $100 million pension liability from the 2015 Early Retirement Incentive Program, and dedicated substantial funding to special education and disaster relief for municipalities across the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “This would not have been possible without the hard work of the Senate Ways and Means staff, and the Senate conference committee conferees. I would like to thank my Senate colleagues, whose invaluable input and counsel always guided our revenue discussions. I would also like to thank Minority Leader Tarr, whose viewpoint I always respect; but especially Senate President Spilka, for her continued steadfast and compassionate leadership through these ever-changing times.” 

“Yesterday, I joined many of my colleagues at the State House in passing the FY’23 closeout supplemental budget and sending it to the Governor’s desk without further delay. This spending package includes critical funding for initiatives throughout the Commonwealth, including the authorization of contracts for many hard-working state employees.” shared Senator John C. Velis (D- Westfield) “With additional and important funding allocated for our Commonwealth’s emergency shelter system, I look forward to continuing the conversation and review of our shelter program.” 

Other notable items in the closeout supplemental budget include: $378 million to fund collective bargaining increases for state workers; $75 million for school districts impacted by special education tuition rate increases; $15 million for disaster relief for municipalities impacted by storms and natural disasters that occurred in 2023; and a supplemental $100 million pension payment to remove any further increased liability resulting from the 2015 early retirement incentive program. The largest spending item in the bill was related to health care costs provided through MassHealth. 

A version of this supplemental budget having passed the House and Senate, it was sent to the Governor on Monday, December 4, 2023, and signed the same day. 

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Weekly Update- December 2nd, 2023

Happy December Everyone,

I hope everyone enjoyed their thanksgiving last week.  It’s hard to believe that December is already here; this year has absolutely flown by.  With the holidays fast approaching, lights have been going up all over town, stores have been redecorating, and holiday spirit is evident!  Just this past weekend, I attended the City of Westfield’s tree lighting ceremony with my family right here in the center of town and am looking forward to many more holiday events throughout our communities.

Even as we close out the year, we’re keeping a full schedule here in the legislature.  Monday morning, I attended a virtual meeting with representatives from Strongest Families Institute.  This organization provides people of all ages with mental health services where and when they should need it.  Access to mental health treatment is one of the pressing issues of our time and the good work done by this group is going a long way to equalizing access.  Thank you to SFI for taking the time to speak with me and my staff. 

Wednesday morning, Representative Sena and I were thrilled to host an interactive briefing at the State House to highlight our legislation to create a grant program to help schools create robotics program.  A very talented group of students from Wellesley High School and Shirley-Ayers High School came to Beacon Hill to both demonstrate their skills in robotics as well as teach some legislators and staffers how to use them.  Students like these and their drive to become engineers are an excellent reminder on the importance of STEM programs in schools and the need to invest in our future. On top of being excellent guests too, my team had a great time learning how to use these robots.  I’m looking forward to having more students engage with robotics as a result of my bill!

This week I also joined Baystate Noble for their “Grand Rounds” series, an awesome opportunity to talk to their employees about some of my legislative priorities relating to medical services and our health care system. Thanks to their team for the invite!

Thursday morning, I had the pleasure of meeting with the good folks from Achieve Greatness Inc, a  non-profit focuses on spreading awareness about fentanyl to our youth through education efforts. This group does great work in educating our kids on the dangers of drug use while simultaneously building a network for kids come to come together and grow.

This week, my team hosted office hours at the Westfield COA on Monday, the Russell COA on Tuesday, and the Southampton COA.  Next week, we will be hosting office hours at the Agawam COA on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm.  If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 527-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Sincerely,

John Velis

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Regional roadmap seeks to address youth mental health ‘crisis’

(Daily Hampshire Gazette- Maddie Fabien) In response to the youth mental health crisis, as many experts have called it, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts has worked with over 25 organizations and many stakeholders on a regional roadmap designed to get youth the help they need.

The roadmap, which was presented at a well-attended UMass Amherst forum in November, focuses on the prevention of mental health conditions as well as the promotion of mental health wellness. Its authors also throw their support behind several pieces of legislation currently before the Legislature designed to address the crisis.

…

“This pain is being felt universally throughout my district and beyond,” said state Sen. John Velis, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use & Recovery.

“We need to have a very holistic approach to this; it needs to be school-based behavioral health, it needs to be increasing the number of beds that are out there for inpatient psychiatric beds,” Velis said. “But 90% of our kids are in the Massachusetts public schools, so [schools are] a good place for us to invest some significant resources.”

One bill before the committee would establish a child and adolescent behavioral health implementation coordinating council, which would create a three-year plan to establish a statewide school-based system.

Velis said the largest concern and area of opportunity in the bill is to “make sure that we’re not going in with a broad brush and saying… we know what is best for the entirety of kids in Massachusetts.”

“It needs to be very specific and individually-based based on the communities in question,” he said, adding that even between communities like Easthampton and Holyoke, which border one another, the needs of students differ.

Another proposed bill would allow schools to seek reimbursement for Medicaid-covered services, which would support school health programming and services.

The report also recommends a bill that would update the physical education mandate in grades K-12 to make mental health education a learning requirement in all public and private Massachusetts schools.

The bill does not mandate any specific curriculum, but rather aims to provide students with a holistic understanding of health that recognizes the relationship between physical and mental health.

“The research shows that early interventions work, so if we can get kids when they’re younger, the hope is that we might be able to get them the help that they need to prevent some of those downstream manifestations of these behavioral health concerns,” Velis said.

FULL ARTICLE

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Weekly Update- November 25th

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone,

I hope that dinner on Thursday was spent with loved ones and that amid all the excitement and stress of preparation and travel, everyone also took some time to reflect on what they are thankful for this year.  I know for myself that it’s a long list, but at the top of it is my family. 

It was a still a busy week in the district ahead of the holiday. Monday morning was the groundbreaking for the Appleton Mills Project in Holyoke.  This revitalization project will be restoring the currently unused Appleton Mills building to create 88 units of affordable senior housing. As the cost of housing continues to skyrocket, seniors on a fixed income  are some of the hardest hit and this project will go a long way to protecting one of our most vulnerable populations.  

On Tuesday, I got to take part in of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions: serving dinner down at the Forum House in Westfield.  This organization does amazing work and helps those with disabilities enter and stay in the workforce.  They are a great group to work alongside, and I thank them for inviting me to serve their holiday meals.  I’m already looking forward to next year. 

Tuesday also marked another hearing in the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.  Among the many bills that were brought for a hearing, one that I had introduced, S.1133, An Act to establish the Massachusetts judicial security act, was also brought forward.  This bill, if enacted, would protect the personal address information of judges from being posted publicly or being brokered by private institutions such as data firms. The functioning of our court system rests on our judge’s ability to do their jobs without fear of retribution. But unfortunately threats to our judges, and their loved ones, has been on the rise in recent years.  This bill would go a long way towards protecting them and I was proud to have introduced it.

As many of you know, today is Small Business Saturday.  Here in Western Mass, we are lucky to have a thriving local retail economy and the holiday season makes up a significant portion of income for many of these businesses.  When out shopping for presents this year, make sure to give the stores owned by our family, friends, or neighbors the consideration they deserve. 

This week, my team hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday.  Next week, we will be at the Westfield COA on Monday from 12:3pm to 1:30pm, the Russell COA on Tuesday from 11:30am to 12:30pm, and the Southampton COA on Wednesday from 9:30am to 10:30am.  If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 527-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Sincerely,

John Velis

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Weekly Update- November 18th

Hello Everyone,

This week was another busy one. Monday morning, I chaired a hearing for the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. Aptly following the passage of Veterans’ Day on Saturday, the committee and I heard many bills pertinent to the wellbeing of our veterans here in the Commonwealth. The work to support our veterans and service members doesn’t stop after Veterans’ Day and the chairmanship of this committee is a position in the State Senate that I am extremely honored to hold. Some of you may have heard that the Governor filed a veterans’ omnibus package recently as well. As we continue our review this legislation, it is my hope that we will focus on the tangible ways we can improve supports in the Commonwealth for those who have served.

In addition to committee work this week, the Senate debated the FY23 close out supplemental budget. After the House passed their version last week, the Senate version was introduced and debated on the chamber floor on Tuesday. On this bill, I introduced an amendment, which passed, creating a bipartisan commission to both thoughtfully and realistically review our state’s emergency shelter response, and its financial impact and sustainability, and make recommendations by March 1st. The reality is that our state’s emergency shelters program was never meant to handle the number of individuals that it is currently housing today, and we need to take a hard look at our current shelter structure and what our Commonwealth’s off-ramp is going to be. I believe this is a much needed first step to improving our state’s shelter system, and I am grateful for the bipartisan support to get this work started. The next step is for the Senate and House to negotiate differences between their two supplemental budgets.

Back here in Western Mass though, my team and I have been all over the district this week too. Three businesses cut their grand opening ribbons this week; the Homestead Funding Corporation in West Springfield, the new financial Literacy exhibit at the Westfield Children’s Museum, and Jones Karate & Ju-Jitsu in Chicopee all opened their doors to the public. Congratulations to all. On Thursday we also welcome the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development, Secretary Lauren Jones, to Dean Technical Institute in Holyoke to celebrate Apprenticeship Week! Apprenticeships and trade work are such an important part of our educational system and I’m grateful to the Secretary for the visit.

This week, my team hosted office hours at the Chicopee COA on Tuesday and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday. Next week, we will be at the Easthampton COA from on Tuesday from 10:30am to 11:30am .If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 527-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. I would also like to remind everyone that my office will be closed on both Thursday and Friday for the holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving,

John Velis

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