Author: john_velis

 Hello Everyone,   

We had a landmark week in the State Senate.  On Thursday the Senate voted unanimously to pass the final Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Conference Committee Bill.  This vote was the final step in the legislative process before the Governor signs the bill. 

The tragedy that struck the Home was fresh when I was elected as state Senator, not two months before the special election.  At that point, all I could do was listen and console.  I met with families and staff.  I heard their stories.  I came as close as I could to understanding their pain. Since then, I have worked diligently to make sure the resources and staff for the Home were strengthened to prevent another outbreak.  When the bond bill to rebuild the Home was put forth, I knew that this legislation had to pass to ensure our future generations of Veterans would be taken care of.  

 I want to thank my dutiful staff, my colleagues in the Legislature, and all the families who were brave enough to share their stories.  Without the hard work of so many Veterans and incredible advocates,  the new Soldiers’ Home would still be nothing more than a hope.  There is still much work to be done in terms of both the physical construction of the Home and in my continued advocacy for our Veterans: tasks that I am very much looking forward to.    

This week the Legislature’s Aviation Caucus also met for the first time this session and I was honored to be elected as co-chair of the caucus.  This group of Senators and Representatives convenes on legislation relating to all things aviation in the Commonwealth, with a focus on making sure that air traffic remains an economic driver while co-existing with the communities who are home to airports.   

On Wednesday I toured the Ferry Street project in Easthampton.  As with many of the towns and cities in the region, Easthampton is home to a number of run down mill and factory buildings.  The Ferry Street Project’s purpose is to rehabilitate these buildings into commercial and residential space.  This project will preserve our history while expanding our community.  Thank you to Mayor Nicole LaChappelle and Rep. Carey for coming along as well.   

A major reform of the unemployment solvency rate passed the House and Senate this week.  Following unprecedented and unwarned spike in the assessment formula, many small business faced huge rate increases. This legislation fixes the problem and will ensure that small businesses do not have to deal with surprisingly large rates. I anticipate that the Governor will sign the bill soon.  

I want to remind everyone that the general population is now eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine. Many vaccination sites, including the Eastfield Mall and CVS Pharmacy locations, are now offering walk-ins. Head to vaxfinder.mass.gov/ to find locations and appointments near you. 

Recently I’ve started sending out newsletters from my office.  You can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis

Hello Everyone, 

After an extended and arduous session in 2020, budget season is officially underway yet again in the State Senate.  This week has been filled with meetings of all sorts from constituents to organizations as well as my elected colleagues in the legislature.  I have filed a number of amendments that will specifically benefit our district and I look forward to advocating on behalf of them during the Senate’s budget debate.   

One such meeting was with Pamela Schwartz, the director of the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness.  She and I discussed many of the housing challenges facing our region from both before the pandemic and those created by it as well many pieces of legislation pertinent to these issues.  Western Mass is lucky to have her working for us and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with her to help curb housing inequity in our area .    

I also had the pleasure of having a similar meeting with David Stephens, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Council on Aging.  He and I talked about the current issues facing seniors and COAs and what the legislature can do to best aid this group that was so severely  affected by the pandemic.   

Friday afternoon, the House-Senate Conference Committee appointed to reconcile differences between versions of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Bond Bill announced that they reached a compromise. The final conference report authorizes $400 million in bonds for the design and construction of a new facility for the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and $200 million in general obligation bonds for Veteran housing across the State.

From the very start—after last years tragedy—families and friends of veterans reached out to me with a very clear message: get this done. From listening sessions with families, to standouts at the Home, to the vigil that took place last month to mark the one anniversary, this has been a truly long and enduring process. We fought for this Home reconstruction for months.

I want to thank all the Veterans, families, and community members who have advocated alongside me for a new Holyoke Soldiers’ Home facility for so long. We are one step closer towards making it a reality. Now that differences between the Senate and House bills have been reconciled, the Conference Committee report will head back to each Chamber for an acceptance and enactment vote. If enacted, it will then go to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The town of Tolland had their annual town meeting this week to which I was lucky enough to be invited.  Aside from being one of my favorite New England traditions, the town meeting is in my opinion, the cornerstone of our democracy, with residents voting on major municipal matters from town-bylaws to budgets. This is just the first of many town meetings throughout the district as Montgomery, Russell, Southwick, and Southampton will be holding their respective meetings very soon.  

The Kiwanis Club of Westfield unveiled a new memorial bench at Stanley Park to honor Veterans.  While the bench honors all Veterans, it has a special intention to those that we tragically lot at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home last spring.  As a Veteran and the Chairman of Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, it was an honor to attend the ceremony. 

I want to remind everyone that the general population is now eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine. Many vaccination sites, including the Eastfield Mall and CVS Pharmacy locations, are now offering walk-ins. Head to vaxfinder.mass.gov/ to find locations and appointments near you. 

Recently I’ve started sending out newsletters from my office.  You can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

It’s been another full week here in the state Senate. I want to remind everyone that the general population is now eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine. Many vaccination sites, including CVS Pharmacy, are now offering walk-ins. The Eastfield Mall will be accepting walk-ins starting Monday. Head to vaxfinder.mass.gov/ to find locations and appointments near you. 

This  past Tuesday, as the newly appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, I participated in an oversight hearing on the Office of the Child Advocate’s report investigating the death of Fall River teenager David Almond. David was a kind and caring 14 year old who tragically died in this past October after police found him bruised, emaciated, and living in abhorrent conditions. His death was heartbreaking and preventable.  As Vice-Chair of the committee, I’m going to work diligently alongside DCF and other responsible agencies to make sure that something of this nature never happens in the Commonwealth again. 

This week I also had the pleasure of meeting the greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s new Executive Director,  Eric Ouelette.  The Greater Westfield Area makes up most of my district and as we come out of the pandemic, partnering with our local business leaders will be paramount to a true and speedy economic recovery.  I look forward very much to working closely alongside Mr. Ouelette as I have with past Chamber Directors.   

As some of you may already know, I was nominated by Senate President Karen Spilka and subsequently awarded a opioid fellowship through the National Conference of State Legislatures. This week I met with an addiction specialist, Dr. Peter Friedmann and Baystate CEO, Michael Knapik to discuss area efforts and best practices to combat the opioid crisis.  As the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery, I’m going to learn as much as I can from experts and use that knowledge to create the best policy to help those suffering from addiction.   

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The COVID-19 pandemic has had profound impacts on the mental health of people of all ages, and now more than ever it is critical to reduce the stigma around mental health struggles that commonly prevents individuals from seeking help. If you are struggling, know that you are not alone and that help is available. Resources like the Massachusetts Network of Care can connect residents with community services and treatments and my office is always available to provide connections as well. 

I would also like to throw a special shoutout to the Westfield State Women’s Lacrosse team for winning the MASCAC conference against Framingham State this week.  We’re all rooting for them as they prepare for the NCAA championship. Go Owls! 

Recently I’ve started sending out newsletters from my office.  You can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone,  

Some personal news to start. I’m happy to announce that after almost a year of engagement, my then fiancée and now wife, Emily, and I were finally married! We were able to celebrate our wedding and her birthday this past weekend and I want to thank everyone who has shared kind messages with us. 

Besides the happy news, I was still able to get out in the district and get some work done this week.  I met with President Royal from Holyoke Community College to discuss legislative priorities and to get an update on how the college is doing in general.  HCC is an asset to our workforce and in turn, community as whole.  I look forward to working with President Royale to find new ways to improve and expand higher education in the district.   

I also had the pleasure of meeting with Girls Inc. later in the week.  This is a very social organization whose goal is to empower young women through athletics and academics to prepare them to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers that women so often face.  I can’t wait to see the leaders and innovators that these young women are going to become.    

This was also the first week that all Massachusetts residents were eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations.  I recently had my first vaccination myself and I encourage all those who are eligible to do so as well.  The shots are safe and free. It’s an important way for us to protect ourselves and our loved ones.  Sign ups can be done online at vaccinesignup.mass.gov/#/ or over the phone at 2-1-1. 

Last week the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Holyoke Soldiers Home bond bill that will finance the reconstruction of a new facility. Next week the Senate will vote on its own version of the bond bill. Ensuring that the $400 million needed for the reconstruction is secured has been my priority since day one and I am proud to announce that the full amount is included in the Senate’s version. 

Recently I’ve started sending out newsletters from my office. You can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

I think I called it early when I said, “Happy Spring” a couple weeks ago and while we had a great and productive week over in the State Senate, this last snow was a crumby end to it.   

As I’m sure many of you are aware, there is currently a bond bill to finance the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home making its way through the legislative process.  I met with Board of Trustees of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home to discuss the specifics of the bill and I’m also proud to report that later in the week, the bill was passed by the House.  It’s next step is to pass through the Senate before finally going to Governor Baker’s Desk.  I have been and will remain a staunch advocate for the Home throughout this entire process.  

Speaking of deserving groups and building reconstruction, I also met with the Massachusetts School Board Authority this week to advocate on behalf of new construction projects in Agawam and Holyoke.  Both school districts deserve new buildings to properly serve their hardworking staff and students.  I hope very much that my letter and testimony to the MSBA will help these projects proceed.   

I was also lucky enough to go on a virtual art tour this week and look through the works of two young artists from the Department of Youth services.  Despite their circumstances, these kids still pursued their passion and made some great art.  I’m very much looking forward to what these kids will do in the future.   

On Thursday I met virtually with an advocacy group of constituents out of Granville to discuss climate legislation.  Climate Resiliency is going to be one of the most pressing issues as we move into the mid-century and I will always do what’s best for the Commonwealth when it comes to legislation of this nature.   

I want to remind everyone that the General Public will  be eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations starting this Monday April 19^th.  I encourage all those who are eligible to get the vaccine to do so. It’s an important way for us to protect ourselves and our loved ones.  Sign ups can be done online at https://vaccinesignup.mass.gov/#/ or over the phone at 2-1-1.   

Finally, I’d also like to congratulate the UMass Men’s Hockey team on winning the NCAA Championship last Saturday night.  It was a great game and a huge shutout.  They may not be in our district but we are still proud nonetheless that Western Mass’s very own Minutemen took home UMass’s first Men’s’ NCAA Championship ever.  Go UMass! 

I’ve also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/  and you can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

John Velis 

Greetings Everyone, 

I hope you’ve all been enjoying this excellent weather.  I almost can’t believe what a beautiful spring we’ve been having.   

To start the week, the bond bill that would finance the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was the subject of another hearing by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Expenditures, and State Assets.  The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is an essential service for Veterans in the Commonwealth, a population amongst which I proudly count myself.  I testified strongly in favor the bill and I would like to stress again how important it is that we pass it quickly so that DCAMM, the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, has as much time as possible to work on the design.     

There was also another hearing this week held by the Special Joint Oversight Committee on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home COVID-19 outbreak.  This week’s hearing was focused on the structure of healthcare at the Home and what failures of this structure contributed to the tragedy in the spring of 2020.  These testimonies are crucial to knowing how we can rebuild the Home to make sure that an outbreak like the COVID-19 never happens again and that Veterans in the Home receive the world class care they deserve.   

This past Tuesday I had a introductory meeting with officials from the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, including Executive Director John Beatty. This executive task force works to promote and strengthen the Commonwealth’s six military installations and their impact on local communities and economies at the federal, state and local level. As Chairman of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, I will be working closely with the Task Force this session on legislative issues.  

On Friday I joined Representative Pease and Westfield City Officials at a ribbon cutting ceremony for three new businesses in Downtown Westfield! Hilltown Chic, Be Bella Boutique, and Boho Hair studio are three new women-owned businesses now open on School Street, and I was honored to help celebrate their grand opening.  

I’d also like to congratulate the UMass Men’s Hockey team on winning the NCAA Semi finals this past Thursday night.  It was a late one but worth the watch for an overtime after midnight win.  They may not be in my district per se but we are still proud nonetheless that Western Mass’s very own Minutemen will be going for the Championship tonight.  Go UMass! 

I’ve also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/  and you can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

John Velis