Author: john_velis

Hello Everyone,

We have reached the month of August and I am hoping we get a few more weeks of sunshine before the fall begins. I am looking forward to more outdoor events and meeting with constituents: its my favorite part of the job!

Especially with the COVID-19 Delta variant, I want to remind everyone to please get their vaccine. The vaccine is safe, effective, and is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Vaccine locations and information can be found at: mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need help setting up an appointment.

It has been busy as ever in the legislature. Many of you are undoubtedly aware that Massachusetts, like other states, has received a significant amount of Federal COVID Relief Funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. This one-time aid of $5.3 billion will be absolutely critical as we return from the pandemic and continue our economic recovery. The Legislature has started holding public hearings to determine how to best utilize these funds. As economy recovery from the pandemic gets underway, hearing from my communities of what is sorely needed will be imperative in determining where the funding is distributed.

This past week consisted of a lot of planning for the last month of the summer. I spent part of my week planning a Veteran court listening session in Holyoke. I proud to be the Senate Chair of Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and have made supporting Veterans and their families a major priority of my legislative agenda this session. Over the past couple of months, the Committee conducted listening sessions at Veteran Centers across the Commonwealth to hear about the various issues Veterans are facing across our great state. In a couple of weeks, I will be holding a listening session to discuss Veteran Courts and how the legislature can ensure the best possible outcome for our Veterans. I’m excited for my colleagues to come to Holyoke and meet with major Western Massachusetts stake holders to see the unique issues our Veterans face.

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter.

Sincerely,

John Velis

Hello everyone and happy August! 

I hope that we can all make the most of our final month of summer. I wish any of you taking trips or breaks this month a very relaxing time.  

I want to remind you all that the COVID-19 vaccine has been proven to provide a strong degree of protection against the new variant, and I ardently hope that anyone in our community who has not yet received a vaccination will chose to get one. You can find locations and appointments at vaxfinder.mass.gov/ at no financial cost to you. Our community will thank you! 

Last weekend, I had a great time serving as an official volunteer pitch counter at Westfield’s New England Regional Babe Ruth Tournament. While I was a little nervous about messing the count up, I think I did alright. Congrats to all the players who participated! 

On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of accompanying Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Mike Kenneally, Representative Duffy and Acting Mayor Murphy on a walking tour of Holyoke. Together, we visited The Plan Beauty Salon, Crave Food Truck, City Sports Bar, and El Paraiso Colombiano Restaurant. It was great to connect with these small business owners and learn more about how our state government can support them. I believe that businesses such as these constitute an integral component of Holyoke’s community, and I look forward to having similar conversations in other communities in our district. 

On Wednesday, I met with Holyoke officials to discuss several affordable housing projects throughout the city. I believe we should strive to support residents of our communities, and it was great to hear the officials’ thoughts on the matter. 

I would also like to share great news about the Baker-Polito Administration’s recent announcement of MassTrails Grants for communities across MA. These grants will provide funding for trails across the district, with some funding coming from municipality pledges as well. Westfield received $61,500 from the state to conduct a feasibility study and conceptual design for a Columbia GreenWay multi-use trail connector to Southampton Road. Southampton received $50,000 from the state for phase II of the Manhan Meadows trail restoration project and also received $100,000 for a rail corridor acquisition from the Easthampton town line to Southampton Center. Lastly, Granville and surrounding towns received $42,452 for maintenance of the Lake District trail system. These sums will certainly do a great deal for the trails in our communities, and I am excited to see them be put to use. 

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com. I have also started sending newsletters out from my office, and I invite you to sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the letter via email. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

As I write to you, we are entering the final week of July, and I am reflecting on all that our team has accomplished over the first two summer months. I have had the pleasure of meeting with constituents and elected officials alike, attending and speaking at various community gatherings, and advocating for causes and bills that I believe to be essential to our Commonwealth. Although some of these meetings have been held virtually, I have been thankful for the opportunity to attend many in-person gatherings as well. With patience, we will eventually return to a state of everyday life uninhibited by the pandemic. 

I began this past week by meeting with MassDOT administrators and Southwick officials for a discussion of the current state of transportation systems in Southwick. On Tuesday, I joined state legislators for a meeting with Judges and Officers at the Roderick Ireland Courthouse in Springfield to discuss the courthouse’s need for repairs. The deficiencies in the building, which include ventilation problems and mold, are putting the health of those in the building in jeopardy. It is completely unfair to expect members of our community to work under these concerning conditions, and we must devote time and attention to rectifying this problem. 

On Wednesday, the Senate voted unanimously to pass a supplemental budget which will provide much-needed additional funding to programs across the Commonwealth. This week the Baker-Polito Administration also announced construction grants to municipalities through the Shared Streets & Spaces program. I am happy to announce that Holyoke received $73,100 to install pedestrian safety beacons to better serve recreational and open spaces. Southampton also  received $123,644 for new sidewalk to improve safety and walkability among key locations, including Town Hall, the Senior Center, and the library. 

Later on Wednesday, my colleague Senator Finegold met with me to talk about Holyoke Medical Center. Senator Finegold has several community health centers in his Lawrence district, and we discussed how we can collaborate to support these smaller health centers in our respective districts. 

On Thursday, I attended the Easthampton Fire Department swearing in ceremony for new firefighters. I want to extend my congratulations and appreciation for these new firefighters. You provide a vital service for your community, and we are extremely grateful for your decision to serve. 

Lastly, I would like to provide an update on the work I have been doing as Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery and as part of my Opioid Policy Fellowship with the National Council of State Legislatures. It is very important to me to be as informed as possible on every aspect of fighting the opioid crisis, from both a medical and legislative standpoint. To further this goal, I have been meeting with experts in their field in order to learn all that I can.  

On Tuesday, I met with the RIZE Foundation to discuss Opioid Use Disorders. It was great to be able to learn from this admirable foundation and exchange ideas with regards to how we can take more steps to promote harm reduction practices in Massachusetts. On Wednesday, I conversed with Dr. Robert Valuck from the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention. We discussed steps that Colorado has taken in order to make medically assisted treatment more available and ways in which our own state could learn from them. I am always thankful for these conversations as well as for the experts’ willingness to take time out of their days to share their thoughts and knowledge. I am hopeful that Massachusetts can continue to increase accessibility to resources for those suffering with substance use disorders. It will truly save lives. 

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413)-572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

It’s hard to believe that we’re already halfway through the summer. While the weather sure has tried to put a damper on things, my office and I have continued to stay busy. This week involved quite a bit of driving across the state and district and has made me appreciate even more how great our region is. 

This week began with a trip out to Central Mass. As many of you may know, I have the privilege of serving as the Chair of the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee. I had the pleasure of joining Representative Pease and other committee members as we began the first of several tours/listening sessions across the Commonwealth. We toured the Montachusett Veterans Outreach Centers in Gardner and Winchendon. These centers do a great job assisting Veterans in finding housing as well as different counseling and mental health services. 

As Vice-Chair of the Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, I spent some time this week with SEIU Local 509 caseworkers in the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to better understand their roles and how they communicate with DCF in Boston. As we transition out of the COVID-19 Pandemic and optimistically move forward to how things used to be, it is important for policy makers across the state to have a better understanding of how difficult situations with DCF evolved over the past year and what we should be doing to meet the new challenges that have arisen as a result. 

On Thursday the Senate passed its Chapter 90 Transportation Bill to provide direct support for roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure in our communities. Westfield is set to receive over $1.2M, Southwick is set to receive over $400K, and all municipalities in the district are receiving substantial funds as well. These funds will help communities invest in projects to improve local infrastructure and transportation systems. Related to transportation services, I am happy to announce that the Easthampton RMV will also be reopening for in-person services on August 2^nd. 

I did get the chance to spend some time in the district with constituents this week as well, which is always some of my favorite moments of the week. On Thursday I was in Westfield to meet with a constituent about legislation regarding the creation of a new suicide prevention hotline number in Massachusetts, an important initiative that the Legislature is pursuing.  

On Friday I had the honor of attending the graduation ceremony at Westfield Tech for their Aviation Maintenance Technology Class. This course is such a tremendous program that prepares students with the tangible skills they need to succeed in the aviation industry. Congratulations to all the graduates! 

Friday afternoon I was able to drop by the law firm of Bacon and Wilson to welcome them to their new Westfield office with a citation from the Senate. Unfortunately I was unable to join them at their ribbon cutting event a few weeks ago, however it is important to me to celebrate all of our local businesses and organizations! Afterwards I swung over to Southwick to join residents at the Southwick Village Retirement Community for a fantastic meet and greet coffee hour and to share Senate updates.  

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413)-572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

I hope that you all had a pleasant long weekend and the wet weather didn’t do too much to dampen your holiday spirits! While less than ideal for outdoor gatherings, the recent rain is great for our local farms and greenery. On the Fourth itself I joined community members for the annual Wyben 4^th of July of Parade and I want to thank all the organizers who make this great event possible each year.  

After enjoying the break ourselves, my office got back into the swing of things on Tuesday with another busy summer week. Tuesday I went down to the State House where I co-chaired the first hearing for the Joint committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. At the hearing, I was thankful for the opportunity to testify in support of the SPEED act, a bill devoted to supporting the families of military service members who are moving to Massachusetts. This key piece of legislation would support the spouses of military members by accelerating MA’s professional licensure procedure so that they are not left unable to work for an extended period of time after moving to the Commonwealth. In order to support the children in these families, the bill would allow advance enrollment for students so that they will not have to miss days of school. I believe that, in order to uphold our state’s commitment to supporting the work of military members, we must pass this legislation. Furthermore, the passage of this bill would have the added benefit of signaling to the Federal Department of Defense and military officials that Massachusetts military bases, like Barnes in Westfield, are well supported and are viable for federal investments. 

Also on Tuesday Senator Gomez presented a joint Senate citation from our offices to Chicopee Police Officers Wanat and Delarosa, who heroically saved a little girl’s life after nearly drowning on June 12^th. While I could not attend the ceremony due to the Veterans hearing in Boston, I am grateful for Senator Gomez for presenting the citation. Thank you to Officers Wanat and Delarosa, and all the police officers in our communities, for all that you do to keep us safe every single day.  

On Wednesday I had a great time getting interviewed by a student from Westfield State, Lyric Lamafdelaine. We chatted about how I got into politics, and it was my pleasure to be able to help out with their school project. Afterward, I attended a hearing for the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities where we went over several different pieces of legislation. I strongly believe in the importance of the work done by this committee and I am honored to serve as its vice chair. 

On Friday I had several great meetings with constituents in our district. One expressed their hopes of starting a business in the area, and the other shared plans to join the Airforce, allowing me the opportunity to talk a bit about my own military experience. I always enjoy the chance to speak with residents and hear about their ambitions and contributions to our community.  

I finished out the week on a saddening yet significant note at the 75 year memorial of the B-17 crash at Mount Tom in Holyoke. For those who may be unfamiliar with the tragic event, 25 servicemen returning home from WWII lost their lives in 1946 when their B-17 plane crashed into Mount Tom. Congressman Neal, Representative Duffy, Mayor Murphy, and I attended the memorial event alongside family members and the Mount Tom Memorial Committee. We remembered and honored those aboard the plane for their service to our nation. We continue to be thankful for all the brave American men and women who put their lives in danger every day in order to protect our citizens. 

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (617)-722-1415, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

We have reached the month of July, and it has certainly been feeling like summer outside– I hope that everyone has managed to stay cool during this very warm week! I also want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! Unlike last year, we can be grateful for the opportunity to have festive barbeques and poolside gatherings, surrounded by friends and loved ones. I have been looking forward to this patriotic weekend, and I hope that you all get the chance to enjoy it! 

This past week was a busy one and I was able to attend various events and meetings. On Tuesday, I was glad for the chance to speak with Department of Defense Officials about the SPEED Act that I filed in support of military families. This bill will help to make transitions easier for military families who are moving frequently by speeding up licensure processes for spouses and allowing advance enrollment for students to prevent them missing days of school.  

On Wednesday I attended a tour of the Lyman Terrace in Holyoke where I was joined by Senator Markey and Holyoke officials. It was exciting to see how the structure of the low-income housing complex is being updated to be more protective of our environment. Projects like these, especially when it comes to moving toward more sustainable models of living, are so important for our communities! 

On Thursday I was able to be at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the River Valley Co-op in Easthampton. For those of you who may not be familiar, the River Valley Co-op started in Northampton, and the Easthampton store is its second location. The Co-op specializes in local fresh food and groceries, and the stores are welcome to everyone, not just those with co-op ownership, making this new location very beneficial to those in the Easthampton community. 

This was not the only ribbon-cutting ceremony I attended this week, as Crystals of Mind in Westfield also had its grand opening. On Friday, I attended the event with Mayor Humason. The store features many items including crystals, handmade jewelry, soaps, and candles. I have faith that this store will be a welcome addition to Westfield. 

On Friday, I met with Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal. We discussed the $100,000 Senate budget amendment I secured for a childcare program at HCC. This program will support students who are parents, helping them to earn their degrees while having a safe, reliable place for their children when in classes. I am hopeful that this program will be a great help to these students, and I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss it with President Royal. 

To finish out a busy week, I had a great time celebrating the 4th at the Granville Driving Parade on Saturday. After the event, we were graced with a musical performance at the Town Green by “”Bad News Jazz & Blues Orchestra.” It was wonderful to be out in the community and hear some music. Not having these valuable community events for such a long time was truly difficult, and I am so glad for the opportunity to connect with residents in our communities.   

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

BOSTON (07/15/2021) — The Massachusetts Legislature on Thursday passed a bill that will invest $350 million in municipal transportation and selected statewide transportation infrastructure projects.

The bill, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, authorizes $200 million for municipal roads and bridges through the chapter 90 program and $150 million to support statewide projects to address congestion, support electric vehicle infrastructure, prioritize bus infrastructure, and improve public transit.

“As travel returns to pre-COVID levels, our transportation system has a vital role to play in getting us back to better,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Chapter 90 proposal advanced by the Senate and House today authorizes $200 million for roads and bridges across our state and makes additional investments in emerging electric vehicle infrastructure which will greatly benefit the Commonwealth’s residents. Passage of this legislation is critical to maintaining a transportation system that is sustainable, reliable, accessible and climate resilient. I am grateful to Senators Rodrigues, Boncore, and Feeney as well as Speaker Mariano, Rep. Michlewitz, Rep. Straus, Gregoire and their staffs for their collaboration.”

“I would like to thank Chairs Michlewitz, Straus and Gregoire, as well as Senate President Spilka and her colleagues, for their work on the Chapter 90 bill,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This bill not only authorizes $200 million for roads and bridges but advances our priorities by investing in projects that municipalities will use to improve our transportation system, such as increased access to transit and specifically buses.”

“As we continue building back to our new better, Chapter 90 funding remains an important mechanism through which the state can directly support cities and towns in Massachusetts,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D -Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka and Senators Boncore and Feeney for their leadership, and to my colleagues in the Legislature for their urgency to direct funding to projects that will make a real difference in their communities and strengthen our local infrastructure across the Commonwealth.” 

“These critical funds will ensure that our transportation needs are addressed all across the Commonwealth” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “I want to thank the Speaker, Chairs Straus and Gregoire, and our colleagues in the Senate for the hard work they put into this legislation, and for continuing to prioritize out transportation system”. 

“It’s so important that we continue to invest in the roads and bridges and infrastructure in our communities that all of our residents rely on,” stated Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “These funds will have bring much needed improvements to our transportation system and and have a really tangible impact on our quality of life.”

“Public transportation is a public good. The $350 million investment is among the largest Chapter 90 bond bills to date and represents the Legislature’s commitment to safe roads, reliable bridges, and modernized transit infrastructure,” said Senate Transportation Committee Chair Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop).  “In addition to funding shovel-ready projects, the Chapter 90 bond bill makes statewide investments support public transit, address traffic congestion, and advance electric vehicle infrastructure and fleets.” 

“This legislation recognizes that in addition to the backlog of local roads in need of repair, there is an unmet need  for local projects that benefit all modes of transportation, and I am pleased that the legislature was able to provide municipal assistance for road work and expanded funding for towns and cities to advance public transit and reduce congestion,” said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. 

“The funding provided through this critical legislation allows our cities and towns the ability to move forward on the necessary repairs and improvements to keep our roads, bridges and infrastructure safe for the residents of our communities,” said Representative Gregoire, co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets . “I am grateful to Speaker Mariano for the opportunity to play a small part in its passage.”

“The members of the Senate Republican Caucus are pleased to join with our colleagues in passing Chapter 90 legislation that will provide valuable resources to our cities and towns to construct and maintain the roads and bridges all of us depend on every day. Road paving, bridge construction and repair, and similar projects are important to our economy, our safety, and our quality of life, but their costs can be a major challenge for municipal budgets,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester). “The spending authorizations contained in this bill will provide the resources and support needed urgently to respond to that challenge and make those projects possible this year.”

“The long-standing state-municipal partnership established under the Chapter 90 program is critical to helping cities and towns meet their transportation infrastructure needs. Today’s agreement continues the House and Senate’s ongoing commitment to support this important road and bridge program. Combined with the funding increases for targeted municipal transit-related grants, this bond bill will allow cities and towns to focus on addressing some of their most critical transportation needs,” stated House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading).

The bill includes the following components:

• $200 million in chapter 90 funding for cities and towns for projects to maintain, improve, and repair roadways, bridges, sidewalks, and bikeways.

• $25 million for the Municipal Small Bridge Program to support replacement or preservation of structurally deficient local bridges critical to local communities and not eligible for existing federal aid programs.

• $25 million for the Local Bottleneck Program to address localized traffic bottlenecks and invest in infrastructure to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and reduce idling and greenhouse gas emissions.

• $25 million for Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure to support municipalities and regional transit authorities in their efforts to install EV infrastructure and purchase EVs and zero-emission vehicles. 

• $25 million for Transit-Supportive Infrastructure to create dedicated bus lanes, enhance bus stops and train stations, support passenger safety, upgrade technology and modernize infrastructure to meet demand and increase frequency of public transit services, and improve access to public transit.

• $25 million for Bus Prioritization and Enhancement Projects to support municipalities in their efforts to create bus rapid transit lanes, construct catenary wires for electric trolley buses, purchase equipment for transit signal prioritization, and make improvements at bus stations and stops.

• $25 million for Enhancements at Transit and Commuter Rail Stations to support municipalities in their efforts to construct parking lots and structures, drop-off and pick-up zones, electric vehicle charging stations, park-and-ride locations, bicycle parking or bicycle cages, and accommodations for micro-mobility devices.

The bill also includes language clarifying that transportation infrastructure projects are an allowable use of American Rescue Plan Act funds, consistent with U.S. Treasury guidelines. Having been passed by the House and Senate, the legislation now goes to Governor Baker for his signature.

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(WESTFIELD 6/25/2021) During the week of June 20th, Senator John Velis spoke at three different Chamber of Commerce meetings throughout Western Massachusetts. The meetings were held by the West of the River Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 22nd, the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 25th, and the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, also on Friday, June 25th. 

Due to the enduring adverse impact to the economy brought on by the pandemic, the work done by Chambers of Commerce to support local businesses is especially critical.  On Tuesday, Senator Velis emphasized this importance: “We have to continue to look at how our Commonwealth is supporting businesses and a lot of good work happens right here within Chambers of Commerce.”

In the Senator’s accompanying comments to the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, he noted the Legislature’s commitment to supporting this economic recovery. Senate budget investments in the economy and workforce include $50M for adult education services for workforce skills, $23M for summer jobs and work training for at-risk youth, and $10M devoted to connecting workers with higher-paying jobs through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund. Senator Velis personally sponsored additional amendments as well, including $100,000 to Holyoke Community College for a child-care program to help parents get workforce training and $800,000 to help individuals in recovery find and maintain work through RecoveryWorks. 

Senator Velis was joined at this informative event on Tuesday by Senator Adam Gomez, Representative Michael J. Finn, Mayor Bill Sapelli of Agawam, and Mayor Reichelt of West Springfield. The West of the River Chamber of Commerce represents businesses from Agawam and West Springfield.

Senator Velis also served as the Keynote Speaker at the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce event on Friday. The event was held at the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club with businesses from the surrounding area present. Senator Velis updated the Chamber on legislative news and incoming federal funding.

The Chicopee event was the first of two Chamber events on Friday as Senator Velis later spoke at a luncheon held by the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. He was joined by Representative Patricia Duffy and Jeff Hayden, Holyoke Community College’s VP of Workforce Development. The three facilitated an engaging conversation with regards to workforce training, workforce obstacles, unemployment, and state resources. 

During the conversation Senator Velis stressed the importance of expanding vocational and technical schools. “There are so many employers who are looking for skilled workers and so many students who are unaware of the opportunities open to them,” said Senator Velis. “We have fantastic technical schools in our communities, but their capacities are limited. We need to invest more into them.”

At all three events this week, Senator Velis informed Chamber members of legislation being passed in the Senate and encouraged them to reach out to his office with concerns or questions about state resources.

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Hello Everyone,

I want to wish a happy belated Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures out there. I hope that everyone was able to enjoy last Sunday and took advantage of the beautiful weather.

This week, I attended an Opioid Policy Fellowship Webinar with the National Council of State Legislatures. The conversation was centered around how other states are taking action to deal with substance use and what we can learn from them here in Massachusetts. As a part of this continued work, I also spent some time on Tuesday with Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Medical Director of the Substance Use Disorders Initiative at Massachusetts General Hospital.

On Monday, I met with Representative Duffy and Spiros Hatiras, President and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center. We discussed how the center is adapting to more normal operations due to the decrease in COVID cases across the state. If you have not had the chance to get vaccinated yet, please consider visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov to find a vaccine location near you. It’s important for me to stay connected with our health care system and I was fortunate this week to also meet with the Massachusetts Nurses Association to discuss their legislative priorities.

With in-person gatherings starting again in our communities, I was glad spend some time at district events this week. On Thursday, I was in Agawam to attend the ribbon cutting of the Morgan Sullivan Bridge project with Lt. Governor Polito, Senator Gomez, Mayor Sapelli and MassDOT officials. On Monday evening, I was fortunate to be at the retirement party for Southwick Police Chief Bishop. His service to the Southwick community is truly incredible and I wish him all the best in retirement. Later that evening I made it over to Granville for their Select Board meeting.

This week I was also fortunate to attend and speak at several Chamber of Commerce Meetings around the district. On Tuesday I gave a legislative update to the West of the River Chamber which consists of Agawam and West Springfield businesses. On Friday I was the keynote speaker at the Greater Chicopee Chamber’s meeting and then later joined the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce for a great discussion on workforce training and workforce obstacles.

On Thursday in formal session, the State Senate passed a critical amendment to change the line-of-duty death benefits standard for police officers. Many of you undoubtedly heard of the recent death of Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia, who died earlier this month trying to save a drowning boy who also passed away. This tragedy exposed a glaring loophole in the current benefits standards where pension benefits are only given to a police officer’s spouse if the officer is killed by assault or in a car crash. Drowning is not included, and in order for Officer Familia’s family to receive benefits, this loophole must be closed. Officer Familia selflessly and courageously put himself in harm’s way to try to save the life of a human being. The fact is police officers throughout our state do this on a daily basis, and when a tragedy occurs, it is our duty as a Commonwealth to take care of the family they leave behind. Passing this amendment was an absolute necessity, for Officer Familia’s family and for all the families of police officers in our state. 

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter.

Sincerely, John Velis

Hello Everyone,

I hope that as many of you near your summer breaks, you have all been able to find a pleasant balance between “work and play.” It’s certainly been easy to enjoy the outdoors with the weather we’ve been having and the easing of mask mandates for vaccinated individuals. If you have not yet been vaccinated, please consider visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov to find a vaccine location near you.

This weekend is Juneteenth and this is the first year the day is marked as an official State Holiday in Massachusetts. Juneteenth commemorates the real end of slavery in the United States, an ending that came over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was actually issued. This weekend I encourage you all to reflect on our nation’s history and the distance we have come.

This week, there are a few congratulations in order for a handful of outstanding individuals in our community. Firstly, I would like to extend my regards to Francine Tishman and Janet Cain for their distinction as Southampton Council on Aging volunteers of the year. Tishman and Cain were recognized for going above and beyond during the pandemic in their commitment to their volunteer work with the Council. Southampton is lucky to have them.

I also want to commend students from Westfield who have recently completed the Bridge to Adulthood program. This program aims to uplift individuals with disabilities by offering them the freedom to make choices and cultivate their living skills. The Bridge to Adulthood proclaims a mission of “providing meaningful support and services for individuals” through “setting goals of each participant’s unique needs, and by enriching the lives of participants and their families with information, support and encouragement.” I am thankful for the presence of such an institution in our community.

This week I also participated in several Legislative committee hearings. On Tuesday I submitted testimony to the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery on bills I filed related to student’s health. One of these bills would require that schools permit absences for behavioral health concerns, an issue that is simply not talked about in our school system. On Thursday I testified in front of the Committee on Economic Development in support of a bill filed by my colleague Senator Gomez that would legalize sports wagering in Massachusetts. While many sports wagering bills have been filed this session, this bill is the only one that would allow small retailers like restaurants and bars the opportunity to offer sports wagering to their patrons as well.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to attend a few different events in the district this past week. On Tuesday, I attended a tour of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke. The Paper City was the birthplace of the sport all the way back in 1895. Interestingly, it was invented by the YMCA’s director at the time as a sport for “businessmen” and was went by the title “mintonette.” I had a great time learning a bit more about the sport and the cultural contributions of Western Mass at the Hall of Fame.

Saturday marked the Grand Opening of the Dreamer Dispensary in Southampton, an event which I attended. The shop is the first licensed recreational cannabis dispensary in the town of Southampton and Saturday afternoon’s opening was an action-packed celebration that featured food trucks, hot air balloons, and even a local band, the “Changes in Latitude”.

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter.

Sincerely,

John Veli