Author: john_velis

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January 24th, 2021 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone,

Things are starting to pick up again as a new session begins. My staff and I are excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work as I start my first full term as your State Senator.

This week marks what would have been the 92nd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King as well as a very profound national transition for our country. I hope all of you had a chance to celebrate on Monday.

On Wednesday, I virtually met with Robert Roose, the Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Medical Center, to discuss substance use disorders and how the pandemic continues to detrimentally impact people living with addiction. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with Dr. Roose and brainstorm potential legislation to help others struggling.

Later on Wednesday my office held another virtual listening session for families who currently have loved ones at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. I invited family members to share their stories and I give my deepest gratitude to those who did. It was insightful to hear from families about the current status of the Home and concerns that still exist.

On Thursday the Legislature’s Special Oversight Committee on the Soldiers’ Home held a public hearing where I was able to raise many of the concerns I have heard. Members of the administration, as well as Holyoke Soldiers’ Home employees, testified and fielded questions about staffing and labor-related issues among other topics. It is essential that we ensure the Home is moving forward in the right direction, so that our current and future Veterans get the care they deserve.

On Friday I was glad to join the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation in Springfield to help with the delivery of winter coats they were getting via the Coats4Vets program. My newly-elected colleague Senator Gomez was also there helping out and it was great to see all the donations come in that will go to our Veterans.

In this new legislative session, I will also be putting together newsletters from my office that can be sent right to your email inbox. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, head to www.senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/

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 C. Velis

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January 31, 2021 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone,  

Hard to believe we’re already at the end of January! 2021 is moving along and I hope this new year has been good to you all so far. This week I had several meetings regarding potential legislation to file in this new session, as well as the COVID-19 vaccine distribution process. 

 On Monday morning I met with Dave Cruise, President and CEO of the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board. We had a informative conversation about companies and businesses in our district and how the Legislature can support them. Monday afternoon I sat down with Mayor Humason and Representative Pease to talk about our legislative priorities and how we can work together to benefit the City of Westfield.  

On Tuesday I met with Westfield City Councilor Kristen Mello and other community members to discuss PFAS and a new potential study that would look at the impact of the contamination in food sources across the state.  

This week my staff and I also met virtually with representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense to talk about potential legislation for Veterans and active military members in the Commonwealth. While I will be refiling several pieces of Veterans affairs legislation from my time in the House, I have a few new interesting initiatives I will be pursuing as well.  

Earlier this week, the Baker Administration announced that individuals who are 75+ years old can begin to book appointments through mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when Phase 2 begins on February 1st. I have heard from many constituents this week about the difficulty and confusion of signing up for a vaccine appointment on the site. While the Governor is unilaterally overseeing the vaccination distribution, my office has been communicating with the Administration frequently to make our concerns clear.  

This week I co-sponsored legislation to greatly improve the current vaccination booking process. SD300, An Act streamlining COVID-19 vaccination sign-up in Massachusetts, directs the Department of Public Health to immediately establish an accessible, one-stop online sign-up for COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as a 24/7 phone hotline in multiple languages. Ensuring access to the vaccine is crucial to recovering as a Commonwealth.  

Last week several of my colleagues and I also sent a letter to Governor Baker asking for increased vaccination preparations in Hampden County, and I am glad that Eastfield Mall in Springfield will now be a mass vaccination site. I will continue to advocate to improve the vaccination process however I can, and my staff is available to assist with any questions or concerns you may. In addition, I will be sending out COVID email updates as new information becomes available. You can sign up to receive them at senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-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.  

Sincerely,  

John C. Velis 

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Velis Calls for Centralized Booking for Vaccine Registration, Co-Sponsors Bill to Improve System

(Boston 1/28/2020) Today Senator John Velis co-sponsored legislation with Senator Eric Lesser to improve the COVID-19 vaccination sign-up system in Massachusetts. The bill, An Act streamlining COVID-19 vaccination sign-up in Massachusetts, has been filed as an emergency law and would take effect immediately if passed and signed by the Governor.  

“I have heard from so many constituents that they have been unable to sign up for vaccine appointments. With each vaccination location utilizing a different booking system, the process is too difficult and flat out confusing, especially for older individuals who might have trouble using the internet to begin with” said Senator Velis. “A centralized system must be implemented, so that Massachusetts residents can easily sign up for vaccine appointments as they become available.” 

Earlier this week, the Baker Administration announced that the first priority group in Phase 2 (individuals who are 75+ years old) may begin to book appointments to receive the vaccine on February 1st and beyond. The Administration also announced several new vaccination sites across the state and released information on how to sign up for an appointment. 

Currently, eligible residents must first find a vaccination site near them on the state’s COVID-19 vaccine website and then book an appointment through that location’s appointment system. With each location having a different system, many Massachusetts residents have reported difficulty in finding appointments. 

The bill directs the Department of Public Health to immediately establish an accessible, one-stop online sign-up for COVID-19 vaccinations for both desktop computer and mobile phones. It also requires the immediate implementation of a phone hotline in multiple languages, to be staffed 24/7, and directs the Department of Public Health to notify residents of these streamlined options for vaccination sign up using a text-based notification system, such as “AlertsMA”. 

“We need a clearer system here, we need more resources for residents who have difficulty with websites like these,” said Senator Velis. “We all understand that the vaccination output is lagging behind the demand right now, but we need more clarity for our residents and this legislation will greatly improve the current system.”  

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‘We never received that request’: General says Massachusetts National Guard was initially unaware of rising death toll at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

January 21st, 2020 – Stephanie Barry – MassLive, Photos by Sam Doran (State House News Service)

HOLYOKE — Ten months after the coronavirus tore through the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, the head of the state’s National Guard contingent testified before a legislative oversight committee that he never received a call for help from the facility when the disease took hold in March.

Maj. Gen. Gary W. Keefe, adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard and the new chairman of the Soldiers’ Home board of trustees, said he and 102 members of the guard arrived at the home late that month, when veterans began dying at an alarming rate, encountering carnage many staff have since recounted to a litany of investigators.

…

Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, a committee member and combat veteran who has emerged as an advocate for the facility and families of veterans, challenged Sudders on the hierarchy that includes the Department of Veterans Services.

He pointed to a blistering report commissioned by Baker and authored by Boston attorney Mark Pearlstein that heaped blame for the death toll on upper management at the Soldiers’ Home and middle management for the state.

“Does it make sense to have that added layer of bureaucracy?” Velis asked Sudders. “The more people you have in that chain of command, the more instances of potential breakdown.”

Sudders stood behind the chain of command and highlighted the hasty reforms the state is pursuing, including a “refresh” of the Holyoke facility, staffing changes and a sprint toward a new, state-of-the-art home with a $300 million price tag.

Some of Sudders’ own testimony suggested she was unfamiliar with the culture at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home until the crisis, including haphazard staffing.

“I was frankly stunned that there wasn’t a permanent schedule at the home,” Sudders testified, referring to staffing plans, though she maintained the levels were “adequate.”

Velis suggested Walsh’s call for help may have gotten lost in the tangled chain of command. In response to a request for comment, a spokeswoman for Sudders referred to a page in the Pearlstein report that concluded the call for the National Guard came to a halt with former Veterans’ Services Secretary Francisco Urena, whom Walsh emailed directly. Two days later, the cavalry arrived when other state leaders got wind of the magnitude of the crisis, the report says.

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Health officials testify on the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at Holyoke Soldiers’ Home

January 21, 2020 – Audrey Russo, Morgyn Joubert – Western Mass News

SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) — Some of the state’s top health officials testified before state lawmakers Thursday on the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.

The joint legislative session looked to get to the bottom of staffing levels at the facility, where more than 75 veterans have died after testing positive for COVID-19.

Legislators not only discussed recent changes to how staffing is managed but also the requirements set to become a superintendent.

“You’re not giving staff certainty on their schedule, and people were having, not knowing what their schedule is going to be,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders.

Sudders fielded questions from legislators on why staff turnover rates were so high at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.

Members of a joint legislative committee tasked to investigate the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the facility. On Thursday, they were eager to address the staffing shortages and other problems that caused the pandemic to spiral out of control.

“There was not the internal processes, clinical management, and operations, to withstand a pandemic,” she explained. “There are many nursing homes in Massachusetts that faced the pandemic, including Chelsea, but their internal structures didn’t collapse.”

The lawmakers questioned Sudders as to why a licensed nursing home administrator is preferred, but it’s not a requirement of a potential superintendent. That is a requirement at private facilities at the state.

Sudders said the distinction isn’t rigorous enough when it comes to the actual healthcare experience. She believes even a licensed nursing home administrator couldn’t have reigned the pandemic in, given the home’s operational failings.

“I don’t think one person would have been able to have stopped that,” she noted.

One of the committee members, State Senator John Velis, said the goal is to find solutions.

“We need to transition to the going forward part of this,” Velis said.

Velis added that after speaking with families, his concerns about staffing linked to the home’s ability to facilitate resident visits once again.

“You’ve got all these veteran residents not able to speak to their families, talk to their families in a meaningful way. I would say so I’m concerned about that impact,” he noted.

In-person visits are canceled for the time being at the home.

Acting Superintendent Val Liptak and the state’s Veterans Services Secretary Cheryl Poppe also testified on Thursday.

The legislative committee’s report is due in the spring, roughly one year since the outbreak began.

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Senator Velis, Legislators, Bring up Concerns during Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Oversight Hearing

BOSTON (1/22/2020)

On Thursday the Legislature’s Special Oversight Committee on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home held a virtual public hearing for administration officials and staff to directly testify. Senator John Velis, who represents the city of Holyoke and sits on the committee, stated that the hearing was an opportunity to bring up concerns and learn more about how to improve the Home.

“It is clear that staffing and oversight problems at the Home have existed for a long time. I have heard many concerns from families and staff directly, and it was critical to bring these issues up,” said Senator Velis. “The goal is to figure out how we can address these problems going forward so a tragedy like last spring never happens again.”

Major General Gary Keefe, who was recently named the new Chair of the Soldiers’ Home Board of Trustees, was among those who testified in front of the committee. General Keefe is the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard and was in charge of the guardsmen who were deployed to the Home in March to respond to the outbreak.

General Keefe said that when he first arrived at the Home at the end of March, “it was bedlam.” Responding to a question about the chain of command at the Home, the General stated that a standardization of policies and regulations at the Home is badly needed.

One of the first to testify was the Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Marylou Sudders. After a series of questions regarding staffing levels and administration positions at the facility, the Secretary noted that they are continuing to work to improve staffing levels and that recruitment is always a challenge.

In a comment to the Secretary, Senator Velis said that families have continued to report that staffing shortages at the Home have contributed to visitation problems. “All these families want to do is see their loved ones. The isolation that COVID-19 has brought upon these Veterans is terrible, and I am worried about the impact this time period will have on their mental health.”

Secretary Sudders responded that shutting down visitations last spring and then later this fall again were some of the hardest decisions she has ever had to make. She said that she was hopeful that family visits and socialization with other residents will improve with increased vaccinations and new testing models. She also stated that she has asked Secretary of Veteran Services Cheryl Poppe to come up with a new visitation model for the Home.

Another topic discussed was the recommendations the architecture firm, Payette, has made for a new Soldiers’ Home facility. Their plan, which was commissioned by the Baker administration, calls for 180-204 beds for the new Home, a decrease from the pre-COVID capacity of 235 beds.

Senator Velis stressed that the bed projection needs to be increased, mainly because there is no way to accurately predict how many Veterans will rely on the Home in the future. “I would rather be in a position 20 years from now where we’ve got a few vacancies as opposed to waiting lists where constituents can’t get a bed at the Home.”

Kevin Jourdain, the former Chair of the Board of Trustees, also testified on Thursday that the number of beds should not be decreased. “We can’t predict the next war, the next military conflict. We’re supposed to be building a facility for the next 100 years, not for the next 10 years,” said Jourdain.

Mr. Jourdain also emphasized the importance of instituting an ombudsman’s office at the Home to ensure that residents and families have an confidential and independent resource to reach out to when issues arise. In the FY’2021 budget, an amendment by Senator Velis to provide funding for an

ombudsman’s office at the Soldiers Home’ was successfully adopted. Mr. Jourdain stated that such a position would greatly help to improve oversight of the Home.

The hearing, which lasted from 1PM until just before 7PM, is the first the Committee has held in the new year. A report from the Committee, along with possible legislation, is due by the end of March.

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Photos from the virtual hearing with Senator Velis, General Keefe, Secretary Sudders and Secretary Poppe

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Sweeping Economic Development Bill Authorizing $627 Million for COVID-19 Recovery Signed into Law

BOSTON (1/15/2021) – On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the Massachusetts Legislature passed $627 million in funding for a sweeping economic recovery and development bill which will provide much-needed support to businesses, investments in infrastructure, and creation of new jobs in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill was signed into law on January 14, 2021.

An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth provides the residents of Massachusetts a COVID-19 relief and recovery package that will provide support to the restaurant and tourism sectors, small businesses, and those who have been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic, while also creating a Future of Work Commission, establishing protections for student loan borrowers, and ushering in zoning reforms that will encourage housing development in our communities.

“This new law will help stabilize our economy and lead us to a strong economic recovery from this pandemic,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This legislation provides immediate relief to those sectors of the economy hit hardest by the pandemic, while making key policy changes, particularly in housing, that will fuel future economic growth. I want to thank Chairman Michlewitz for his stewardship of this bill and for Chairwoman Ferrante and Representative Wong for their work on the conference committee.”

“I am thrilled this legislation is now law so that we can begin to provide a necessary boost to our economy as it recovers from the dire effects of COVID-19,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Legislature recognizes the need to be bold when addressing the challenges facing restaurant and small business owners, cultural attractions and other key sectors that will keep our economy strong. I am particularly pleased this bill includes the long sought-after housing production reforms that the Senate has supported for years. I want to thank Senators Lesser, Rodrigues and my colleagues for their attention to this critical bill and for acting with urgency to move it forward in the legislative process.”

“Tonight, our economic relief package was signed into law by Governor Baker. In a time of crisis for our Commonwealth, the Legislature completed one of the most important economic recovery and investment packages in recent history. With the inclusion of urgently needed small business and restaurant relief, new protections for over 1 million student loan borrowers, and the most progressive and far-reaching housing reform in decades, this legislation will bring needed relief to families, small businesses, and communities hit hardest by COVID-19,” stated Senator Eric P. Lesser, Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies (D-Longmeadow).

“This bill provides critical relief to those who have been the hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. So many businesses and individuals have struggled during these difficult times, and this is really the State Government responding,” said Senator Velis, Assistant-Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development (D-Westfield).

The bill includes the following bonding authorizations and policy changes.

COVID-19 pandemic relief and recovery

Bonding Authorizations

● $30 million for the state’s COVID-19 Payroll Protection Program

● $20 million for restaurant COVID-19 recovery grants

Policy Changes

● Limits fees charged by third-party delivery services for restaurants to 15% during the COVID-19 state of emergency; prohibits third-party delivery service companies from reducing rates for delivery drivers or garnishing gratuities as result of the limitation

● Creates a commission to examine and make recommendations on addressing the recovery of the cultural and creative sector, including the arts, humanities and sciences, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Housing

Bonding Authorizations

● $40 million for a program to redevelop blighted buildings

● $50 million for transit-oriented housing developments

● $10 million for climate-resilient affordable housing developments

● $5 million for a Gateway Cities housing program

Policy Changes

● Implements zoning reform to help cities and towns approve smart growth zoning and affordable housing by lowering the required vote threshold for a range of housing-related zoning changes and special permits at the local level from a two-thirds supermajority to a simple majority

● Requires designated MBTA communities to be zoned for at least one district of reasonable size, in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and requires such housing to be suitable for families with children

● Increases the state low-income housing tax credit program cap from $20,000,000 to $40,000,000

Employee protections, business growth, and equity

Bonding Authorizations

● $35 million for a Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation matching grant program to community development financial institutions for small business loans and grants

● $27.7 million for a new Employment Social Enterprise Capital Grant Program

● $20 million for a Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation small business grant program

● $14M million for travel and tourism grants

● $10 million for regional and community assistance planning grants

Policy Changes

● Enables, via local option, the creation of tourism destination marketing districts (“TDMDs”), made up of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts, for the purpose of generating local revenue dedicated solely for the promotion and marketing of specific regions of the Commonwealth

● Amends the statutory definition of wait staff employee to include a person in a quick service restaurant who prepares or serves food or beverages as part of a team of counter staff

● Provides that the taking of family or medical leave shall not affect an employee’s right to accrue vacation time, sick leave, bonuses, advancement, seniority, length-of-service credit or other employment benefits, plans or programs

● Exempts natural hair braiding from the definition of hairdressing, and exempts natural hair braiding from rules and regulations pertaining to aesthetics, barbering, cosmetology, electrolysis, hairdressing and manicuring

● Encourages the PRIM Board to use minority investment managers to manage PRIT Fund assets, where appropriate, and to increase the racial, ethnic, and gender diversity of Fund investments

● Establishes a commission of experts, industry members, academics, and elected officials to research and propose policy solutions that ensure the future and sustainability of local journalism in Massachusetts

Student protections

● Establishes a Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights regulating the licensing and operation of student loan servicers by the Commissioner of Banks

● Creates a Student Loan Ombudsman within the Office of the Attorney General for the purpose of receiving, reviewing and assisting in the resolution of complaints from student loan borrowers; authorizes the Ombudsman to assist with repayment options, applying for federal loan forgiveness programs, ending wage and tax refund garnishments, resolving billing disputes, and obtaining loan details

Agriculture and rural support

Bonding Authorizations

● $20 million for rural community development and infrastructure grants

● $2 million for an urban agriculture grant program

Policy Changes

● Expands the Food Policy Council to include an expert in healthy soil practices; codifies the definition of ‘healthy soils;’ gives the Commission for Conservation of Soil and Water the ability to establish a Massachusetts Healthy Soils Program and Fund

Technology and innovation

Bonding Authorizations

● $52 million for the Technology Research and Development and Innovation Fund

● $15 million for lottery IT infrastructure

● $10 million for the expansion of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Innovation Initiative (M2I2)

● $5 million for the Massachusetts Broadband Incentive Fund

Policy Changes

● Creates a special commission on the future of work to conduct a comprehensive study relative to the impact of automation, artificial intelligence, global trade, access to new forms of data and the internet of things on the workforce, businesses and economy.

● Clarifies that carsharing platforms may obtain insurance coverage from non-admitted carrier and that carsharing platforms do not need their own insurance-producer or broker licenses to offer or maintain insurance policies for carsharing vehicles or drivers.

Other bonding authorizations include

● $102,304,000 for local economic development projects;

● $12.5 million for the Commonwealth Zoological Corporation;

● $15 million for trial court virtual mediation services;

● $6 million for Massachusetts Cultural Council grants;

● $5 million for Mass Cultural Council public school grants;

● $20 million for Mass Cultural Council cultural facilities grants;

● $15 million for vocational technical school expansion grants; and

● $15 million for higher education workforce grants

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January 18, 2021 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday season—even though it may not have felt as festive as usual. I’m already looking forward to the next one and hopefully in 2021 we will be able to celebrate with our loved ones.

I know that many of you have reached out to my office about the COVID-19 vaccine. As of right now, the Commonwealth is still in Phase I of the vaccination schedule. This includes almost all healthcare workers, our first responders, and congregate living residents. If you have any questions about the vaccination schedule, please do not hesitate to call my office.

This new year also marks the beginning of the 192nd General Court and I’m looking forward to my first two-year session as your state Senator. With the new session comes the start of filing new bills. My staff and I are busy researching what legislation we can introduce to best serve the district and the Commonwealth as whole. I’ve been taking meetings all month with advocacy groups, constituents, and other legislators to discuss possible legislative ideas. This week included discussions with animal rights advocates, Holyoke community members, and Lisa Sheehan of Agawam High School on several different topics.

On Thursday I had a chance to sit down and talk to Westfield’s new State Representative, Kelly Pease. We had a great conversation about Westfield and some of the challenges our City is facing. I was glad to share some advice from my time as State Rep, and am looking forward to working alongside Representative Pease to advocate for Westfield.

In this new legislative session, I will also be putting together quarterly newsletters from my office that can be sent right to your email inbox. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, head to www.senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/

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 C. Velis

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Velis, Boldyga Pass Legislation for Local Veterans Committee

Main St. in Agawam to also be named the George Washington Memorial Highway

AGAWAM (1/13/2020) – In the remaining days of the 2019-2020 legislative session State Representative Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) and State Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) ushered through the Massachusetts Legislature a bill filed on behalf of the Agawam Veterans Council to commemorate a historic route traveled by George Washington. 

H2974 An Act Establishing the George Washington Memorial Highway was enacted by the legislature on January 4th and signed into law by Governor Charlie Baker. It designates a portion of Main St. in Agawam from the Connecticut border to the intersections of Route 75 and 147 to also bear the name of the nation’s first president. 

Representative Boldyga said he was fascinated to learn about the historic route when the Veteran’s Council first approached him about it.  “It is one of those little known parts of history that you’re not going to read about in school textbooks” said Boldyga. “I am honored to have worked with the Agawam Veteran’s Council and Senator Velis to pass the legislation and preserve a piece of local history that we can share with future generations” he continued. 

George Washington traveled the route twice. The first time in 1775 on his way to Cambridge to take command of the continental army and the second in 1789 as he toured New England on his way to Boston as President. In 1932 a private organization placed markers along the route to celebrate the bicentennial of Washington’s birth. 

Aldo Mancini of the Agawam Veterans council said that with the bill’s passage, the portion of the route that runs through Agawam now has an official state designation and will include proper signage. “ We’ve been working on this for several years and are very grateful to Representative Boldyga and Senator Velis for their commitment to work with us and get this done. Sadly, before the bill passed a fellow council member who helped lead the effort passed away, so in some ways this was also to honor him.” said Mr. Mancini. 

“It is always rewarding to work alongside constituents to get a bill that is important to the community across the finish line,” said Senator Velis. “The historical relevance of this route is truly fascinating, and I am grateful to have learned from and worked alongside Representative Boldyga and the Agawam Veteran’s Council.”

Representative Boldyga and Senator Velis said they plan to host a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Agawam Veteran’s Council sometime this Spring. 

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Sen. John Velis Maintains Perfect Voting Attendance in Senate

BOSTON (1/12/2020) – As the 191st legislative session ended last week, Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) completed 2020 without missing a vote in the Massachusetts State Senate.  

“My job is to represent the people of the Second Hampden and Hampshire district on every single legislative matter that comes before us in the Massachusetts State Senate,” said Senator Velis. “At the end of the day, whether you agree with my votes or don’t agree with my votes, I was elected to participate in the process and take these difficult votes. One thing I can guarantee is that nobody will ever accuse me of ducking or running from a tough vote.”  

Prior to his election to the Senate in May, Senator Velis was the State Representative for Westfield in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He did not miss a vote in the House during 2020 as well. 

In the seven months Senator Velis has been in the Senate, the legislature has worked on a number of important bills, with a strong focus on COVID-19 and economic recovery. The Senator noted that he considers every bill on its merits, not by what political party put it forward, and stressed the importance of listening to different perspectives when considering a bill. 

“The Second Hampden and Hampshire district is politically diverse like no other, and it has been critical for me to listen to the different perspectives in our communities,” said Senator Velis. “I am focused on the needs of my constituents and our district, and that will always be my priority.” 

With the 191st session ending last Tuesday, the 192nd legislative session began Wednesday morning. Senator Velis was sworn in remotely for a full two-year term to the State Senate on Wednesday before the new legislative session began.  

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