Author: john_velis

(BOSTON – 5/19/2021) On Monday, May 17^th, the Legislature’s Aviation Caucus held its first meeting during the 192^nd legislative session. Representatives, Senators and members of the airport industry virtually gathered to discuss legislation and initiatives impacting aviation in Massachusetts. During the meeting Representative Natalie M. Blais (D-Sunderland) and Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield) were elected as co-chairs of the Caucus by their fellow colleagues.  

“One of my goals as Chair of the Aviation Caucus is to ensure that my colleagues in the legislature are as informed as possible about the aviation industry and how it impacts our Commonwealth,” said Senator Velis. “Prior to representing Westfield and Barnes Regional Airport, I didn’t know much about aviation myself. But this sector has a huge impact on our communities and our economy, and it’s so important that we are recognizing that and working alongside them on the issues they face.” 

The Massachusetts Legislative Aviation Caucus was the first pro-aviation legislative caucus established in the country. According to members, they work to promote and support airports, aviation, and the high tech jobs in the aviation field throughout the Commonwealth.  

All Legislators are welcomed to join the caucus, especially those with an interest in aviation or who represent airports, aviation-related businesses and industries, and their employees. Many elected officials were present during Monday’s meeting, including Western Massachusetts State Representatives Dan Carey (D-Easthampton) and Kelly Pease (R-Westfield). They were joined by representatives of the Massachusetts Airport Management Association, airport officials from across the state, and other aviation industry members. Several pieces of legislation related to airports and aviation-related business were discussed during the meeting.  

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to identify ways the Legislature can support this vital transportation sector in the Commonwealth,” said Representative Blais. “Looking longer term, I am excited about the future of aviation and the policies we will need to consider as a Commonwealth to ensure the safe integration of technology including but not limited to unmanned aircraft systems.” 

Both Representative Blais and Senator Velis stated that they anticipate the Caucus to meet monthly. They hope to also begin site trips to airports and airfields across the state sometime this summer. 

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(BOSTON – 5/20/2021) On Thursday, May 20^th, the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously voted to enact the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Conference Committee Bill. The compromise bill had been released Friday, May 12^th, by the House-Senate Conference Committee. Senator John C. Velis, who represents the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and has led the charge for a new facility, spoke during the Senate’s debate of what this project means to his community.  

“This has truly been a long and emotional process and one that started well before this legislation was first filed. From the very start, families and Veterans gave me a very clear message: Get this done,” said Senator Velis. “It is these families, these Veterans, these advocates, and these experiences that have motivated us throughout this long and enduring process.  We could not let them down and I am proud to say that we have not let them down.” 

The final bill includes the $400 million needed for the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and $200 million for the expansion of Veterans housing services across the Commonwealth. It had previously been enacted by the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 18^th. 

“The funding authorized in this bill will ensure that the future residents of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and Veterans across our Commonwealth receive the care with honor and dignity that they have earned in service to our nation,” said Senator Velis, who is also Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “Todays vote brings us one step closer towards fulfilling that mission, and I want to thank all the Veterans and advocates throughout the Commonwealth who have worked so hard for this project.” 

The State is currently working towards an August 1^st VA Veterans State Home Construction Grant Program deadline. DCAMM, the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, cannot begin the design process for the project until the Bond Bill is signed into law. If the August 1^st deadline is met, the state would be eligible to receive 65% federal reimbursement for the $400 million Holyoke Soldiers’ Home reconstruction project. 

Now that the bill has been enacted by both chambers, it will go to the Governor’s desk for his consideration.  

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(BOSTON 5/27/2021) On Thursday, May 27^th, the Massachusetts State Senate finalized their budget for Fiscal Year 2022. Over 900 amendments were considered over the three day debate including over 30 that were filed by Senator John C. Velis.  

Senator Velis secured the following 10 amendments that will provide funding for municipalities and organizations throughout the Second Hampden and Hampshire District: 

• Amendment 173: Allocates $100,000 to Holyoke Community College to implement a 1 year child-care pilot program to reduce barriers for parents attaining education 
• Amendment 177: Allocates $50,000 to the Enchanted Circle Theater in Holyoke for education resources and programming 
• Amendment 603: Allocates $59,800 to the Westfield Police Department for an Apex Police Training Simulator that focuses on de-escalation techniques 
• Amendment 687: Allocates $50,000 to Girls Inc. of the Pioneer Valley for programming 
• Amendment 864: Allocates $75,000 to Baystate Noble Hospital for a community grant program to prevent and treat addiction to opioid and related substances 
• Amendment 865: Allocates $25,000 to the Town of Southwick for Economic Development and to encourage local downtown shopping 
• Amendment 868: Allocates $50,000 to the Agawam Council on Aging for the Agawam Senior Center 
• Amendment 872: Allocates $25,000 to the Easthampton Community Center  
• Amendment 874: Allocates $15,200 to the American Legion Post 124 in the City of Westfield for repairs and renovations 
• Amendment 922: Allocates $50,000 to the City of Holyoke for repairs and renovations at the Holyoke War Memorial

Senator Velis also secured several amendments for organizations and initiatives that will benefit the entire Commonwealth. The following 5 amendments were adopted unanimously: 

• Amendment 34: Allocates $100,000 to the Mass Animal Fund to provide spay and neuter services and vaccinations to animals in need throughout the Commonwealth 
• Amendment 409: Allocates $100,000 for a state-wide pilot program to increase access to Narcan and naoloxone kits for school districts 
• Amendment 478: Allocates $800,000 to RecoveryWorks of Mass General Hospital for their work in providing employment opportunities and supports to individuals throughout the Commonwealth who struggle with substance use disorders. 
• Amendment 490: Includes language to ensure that the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home has an Ombudsman’s office operating for residents and families 
• Amendment 530: Allocates $500,000 to expand the Women Veteran’s Outreach Program in the Department of Veteran Services and to complete a study on the changing needs of Women Veterans in Massachusetts 

“Over the past few months I have been able to meet with organizations throughout my district and across the entire state. On top of the line-item funding that is included in the original budget, it is my job as Senator to file and fight for amendments that will benefit our district and our Commonwealth,” said Senator Velis. “I am proud that my team and I were able to bring this important funding back home and am grateful to my Senate colleagues for supporting my state-wide amendments for Veterans, Animals, and individuals facing substance use disorders.” 

Now that the Senate budget is complete, it will go to a conference committee where differences with the House’s budget will be reconciled. It will then go to the Governor’s desk for his consideration.

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(BOSTON 5/26/21) On Wednesday, May 26th, the Massachusetts State Senate voted to adopt budget amendment #530 sponsored by Senator John C. Velis.  This amendment would provide $500,000 to expand the Women Veterans outreach program at the Department of Veteran Services and to conduct a study on the changing needs of Women Veterans in the Commonwealth.   

“While women have been a crucial part of the US armed forces since the Second World War, it was less than a decade ago that they were finally allowed to serve in combat roles,” said Senator Velis. “By year 2040, it is estimated that Women Veterans will make up nearly 40% of our Veteran population in Massachusetts.  They are the fastest growing demographic of Veterans and we must ensure that our Commonwealth is meeting their needs.” 

The report would study in depth the current housing options for women veterans, the quality and availability of physical, mental, and reproductive healthcare, the availability of care for military related sexual trauma, and how to improve women Veterans outreach initiatives.  The study would be due no later than January 1^st, 2022 to the State Senate.   

Senator Velis, the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, is a US Army Veteran himself and is still currently a major in the Army Reserves.   

“I’ve had the honor of training and serving alongside many women in the military.  It’s no secret that they face an entirely different set of challenges than their male counterparts,” stated Senator Velis. “Many of the services that our state provides for Veterans were not implemented with Women Veterans in mind. Women veterans have different medical needs, housing needs, and regrettably often need sexual trauma care.  This study is the first step to making sure they get what they need and that no women Veterans fall between the cracks.” 

The current Women Veterans outreach program in the Department of Veteran services is only a single-person position that is funded at $116,243 in the Senates original budget. Senator Velis noted that this low funding limits the programs ability to reach out and connect with women Veterans about benefits and resources available to them from the state.  

“I’m proud to say that the armed forces have, as a general trend, have moved to equality between the genders.  I want to make sure that this trend extends to Veterans who return to private non-military life.” said Senator Velis.   

The amendment to the budget was adopted unanimously by the Senate. Now that the Senate budget is complete, it will go to a conference committee where differences with the House’s budget will be reconciled. It will then go to the Governor’s desk for his consideration.   

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(BOSTON 5/26/2021) On Wednesday, May 26^th, the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously adopted two amendments sponsored by Senator John C. Velis during its Fiscal Year 2022 Budget debate. Amendment #478 provides $800,000 to RecoveryWorks, an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital that provides employment opportunities and supports to individuals throughout the Commonwealth who struggle with substance use disorders. Amendment #409 allocates $100,000 for the creation of a state-wide pilot program to increase access to Narcan and naloxone kits for school districts.  

“Re-entering the workforce is such an important step for individuals in recovery. It is a chance for them to grow and regain self-confidence, develop tangible skills, and make connections that will lead them further down their career paths. Most importantly though, employment provides individuals in recovery with a stability that is difficult to find elsewhere,” stated Senator Velis, who is Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “Unfortunately there still exists a deep stigma around substance use disorders, especially when it comes to employing someone who is in recovery. That is why the work of RecoveryWorks is so important and why the funding in this amendment is so critical.” 

RecoveryWorks provides participants with career advice and job search coaching; continued clinical support during the job search and initial employment; ongoing on-the-job mentorship;  and assistance with legal and healthcare issues. While in the program participants must also agree to pursue addiction treatment as well. They also serve as liaisons to employers for up to five years in order to facilitate and ensure the participants are securing an effective long-term job. 

The Senate also voted unanimously to adopt amendment #409, which provides $100,000 for a state-wide pilot program to increase access to Narcan and naloxone kits for school districts. 

“Western Massachusetts, and our Commonwealth as a whole, has seen far too many lives lost due to opioid overdoses, and we continue to fight this epidemic every single day. Increasingly concerning is the growing rate of opioid use in high school students, ” said Senator Velis. “The reality is our Commonwealth will continue to see this issue grow in this age group and opioid overdose-related deaths can be prevented when naloxone is administered in a timely manner. We can and must increase access to these life-saving medications in our communities, because in those terrifying minutes, every second is so critical.” 

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 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