Category: First Responders

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December 13th, 2020 – Weekly Update

Hi Everyone,  

I can’t believe that it’s already December, it’s getting colder every day!  

This week the state released its initial COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan with the hope that vaccine inoculations can begin as early as next week. The distribution timeline is divided into phases, and the first phase will prioritize health care workers and the most vulnerable residents in our communities. The vaccine will be free to all and insurers will not charge co-pays or out-of-pocket costs. These developments are really encouraging, but it’s important to remember that this is not going to be an immediate process. COVID-19 is just as dangerous today as it was before this news, and we need to continue to wear masks and social distance so that we can get through this together. You can find out more about the vaccine distribution at Mass.gov/COVIDvaccine. 

This past Monday, I hosted a Zoom forum with legislative colleagues and Commissioner Jane Ryder of the Department of Developmental Services. We discussed challenges that Adult Day Programs in our region are facing and how to improve communications and financial supports from DDS to these organizations. Tuesday night I joined the Holyoke Democratic City Committee for their virtual meeting honoring State Representative Vega as Democrat of the year. Representative Vega has been an incredible advocate for Holyoke during his time as a legislator, and I was proud to speak about my friendship with him and our work together.  

Wednesday and Thursday were full of meetings in the community. I joined Holyoke’s Public Safety Committee meeting Wednesday night and had another informative meeting with Southampton Town Administrator Ed Gibson on Thursday afternoon. On Wednesday I also met with Jay Kumar, the owner of Universal Plastics in Holyoke, to hear about challenges businesses like his have been facing.  

This Saturday Army and Navy played 121st football game in their historic rivalry. One of my colleagues, Senator Mike Rush, is a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy and we realized that this is the first time in modern history that the Senate has a sitting Senator enlisted in each of the branches. Considering this, we decided to make a friendly wager on the game: loser must post a video singing the opposing branch’s fight song. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to hearing Senator Rush’s beautiful rendition. For updates on our wager, feel free to visit my social media channels at @SenJohnVelis.  

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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December 6th, 2020 Weekly Update

Hello Everyone,  

I hope you all had a great week and are staying safe and healthy during these difficult times.  

It is clear from this week’s data reports that the rate of COVID-19 cases in our communities is rising. Currently Southwick, Chicopee, and Holyoke are designated as red communities, while Westfield, Agawam, and Easthampton are designated as yellow communities. It is imperative that we continue to stay vigilant as we move into these winter months. While news surrounding a vaccine is extremely promising, we are not there yet, and we need to be mindful of the interactions we are having with others. 

This past Friday, the Senate and House came to agreement on a final FY2021 budget after differences between the two chambers were worked out in conference committee. I was proud to vote for this final legislation, which provides critical support and investments to our community while remaining fiscally responsible. I am also glad that my amendments providing funding for the Holyoke Soldiers Home, the Holyoke and Westfield Boys & Girls Clubs, Baystate Health and the Agawam Police Department survived the conference process and are included in the final bill. Now the budget will go before the Governor for his consideration.  

Tuesday morning I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony of Compass Recovery in Agawam, where I was honored to present them with a Senate citation in recognition of their opening. The treatment center will provide partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient services for those struggling with substance abuse disorders. 

On Wednesday I attended the services for Staff Sergeant Mark Johnson, a 2015 graduate of Agawam High School who recently passed away while stationed in Fort Hood, Texas. Sgt. Johnson served as a Squad Leader in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve in Romania and was a recipient of numerous military honors. His service inspires us all, and his passing is a tragic loss for our entire community.  

Thursday morning I was in Agawam for the grand opening of Vanguard Renewables’ new Organics Recycling Facility. The recycling facility’s innovative process converts expired and unsafe food waste into renewable energy. Vanguard Renewables is the largest organics recycler in the Northeast and will process nearly 500,000 tons of organic waste into renewables energy in 2021. It was truly incredible to tour the facility and learn more about how this process works firsthand.  

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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After victory, Velis prepares for first full term in state Senate

November 11, 2020 – The Reminder – Dennis Hackett, Reminder Publishing File Photo

WESTERN MASS. – After securing the Second Hampden and Hampshire District state Senate seat during the Nov. 3 election, state Sen. John Velis discussed his goals and challenges ahead of his first full term in office.

Before getting into anything, Velis said one of his top priorities was helping the area recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“First and foremost has to be COVID-19 recovery; it’s going to be an immediate and all-consuming issue in terms of how we recover. Small business, the hardships people are facing in the Second Hampden and Hampshire District, it’s absolutely critical to advocate for them,” he said.

While the Senate and House are facing difficult budget seasons, Velis said he is going to make sure his constituents have a seat at the table.

“We’re entering a difficult budget season with the House releasing theirs next week and then the state Senate releasing theirs the following week. Every lawmaker is going to be asked to do more with less. I need to zealously advocate for the constituents that elected me to ensure we have a seat at the table,” he said.

One of the ways Velis said he wants to stand out in legislature is by providing a bipartisan voice in the state Senate.

“One thing that is a priority of mine is continuing to be that voice in Massachusetts politics that doesn’t look at things just through the lens of the political party that happens to be next to my name. I think that’s critical to our nation, the healing and the working together,” he said.

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November 22, 2020 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone,  

 This week the Senate unanimously passed our final FY2021 budget after a two-day debate concerning 450 amendments. This $46 billion budget makes important investments in the Commonwealth and local infrastructure, while remaining fiscally responsible during these unprecedented times. I am proud that my amendments allocating funds for local organizations in our district were also adopted during the debate.  

On Wednesday the Senate adopted my amendment providing $200,000 for the creation of an ombudsman’s office at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and $200,000 for increased and improved resources to increase the quality for residents. The ombudsman office will be an independent and confidential resource for residents and families to turn to when issues or concerns with care arise, and will be able to properly investigate problems before they grow. In addition to these amendments, the Senate’s final budget appropriates $25.5 million to the Home’s administrative account, $1.5 million higher than last year’s funding, which will help the Home increase staffing levels and meet other deficiencies. The Senate’s level of commitment to the Home and our Veterans is clear, and these funding investments are powerful steps towards reforming the Home. 

On the first day of debate, the Senate adopted two of my other amendments allocating funds to organizations in our district. I was proud to secure $50,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield and another $50,000 for the Boys & Girls Club for Greater Holyoke, both of which have gone above and beyond throughout this pandemic to help those struggling in our communities. I was also glad to see my amendment was adopted to allocate $100,000 to Baystate Health and $50,000 to the Agawam Police Department for their opioid addiction treatment and prevention programs. Problems with opioid addiction and substance use disorders have only gotten worse during COVID-19, and it is critical that we are supporting our hospitals and first responders who work to help those struggling.  

One of the real tangible focuses in the Senate’s budget is on helping our economy and local communities recover from the lasting impact of COVID-19. The budget invests $46.4 million for a new Economic Planning and Response Program, which will provide grants and loans to small businesses. The budget also creates and funds programs to educate and train Massachusetts workers for new lines of work, including $40.6 million for adult basic education services and $10 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to help connect residents to jobs. To aid local communities, the budget appropriates $1.129 billion in unrestricted general government aid to support community investments and help municipalities recover.  

The Senate and House will now meet to work out differences between their two different budgets, before a finalized version is sent to the Governor for his consideration.  

Although budget debate and work took up almost all of my week, I still had a few events and meetings that I was able to attend. On Monday I spent some time at the Holyoke Boys & Girls Club handing out groceries to community members. Helping those struggling with food insecurity is one of the major ways the Club has stepped during this pandemic, and I was glad to help out. Tuesday morning my staff and I joined in on a call with Western Mass Housing First to talk about their work and how they are adapting with COVID-19 rates back on the rise.  

Thursday I joined the Massachusetts Airport Management Association and officials from Barnes Regional to receive updates from the Federal Aviation Association and MassDOT. And on Friday I had my bi-weekly meeting with Holyoke Community College President Royale, where we discussed remote classes and what resources the college has been providing to students.  

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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Senate Passes FY 2021 Budget

Includes increased funding for sectors impacted by COVID-19, including housing and childcare

(BOSTON – 11/18/2020) The Massachusetts State Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a $46 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21), after adding $36.1 million in targeted investments over the course of two days of deliberations. Passed with bipartisan support, the budget aims to move the Commonwealth towards an equitable recovery by making critical investments in sectors impacted by COVID-19 including early education and childcare, food security, housing supports, and public health.

“With a second surge of COVID-19 upon us, we must do everything we can to shore up critical resources for those most in need so that we can begin to build towards an equitable recovery,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This unprecedented budget is a testament to the challenges we face as a Commonwealth, but I am confident Massachusetts will emerge stronger and more resilient than before. I am thankful for the hard work of Chair Rodrigues, his team, Vice Chair Friedman, Assistant Vice Chair Lewis and the entire Senate Committee on Ways and Means for the budget they produced and finalized under these very difficult circumstances.”

“Under difficult circumstances because of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am proud of the Senate’s ability during these last two days to meet the moment, engage in respectful debate, take action to protect our most vulnerable and set the Commonwealth on a path toward an equitable recovery,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Under the leadership of Senate President Spilka, the Senate has taken important steps this week to confront the unprecedented challenges brought on by this public health crisis and pass a fiscally responsible budget plan that further protects access to child care, health care, housing, public transportation and economic opportunity. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate for their tireless work and passionate advocacy over the course of our debate.”

“This budget makes important investments in our State and local infrastructure, while remaining fiscally responsible during these difficult and unprecedented times,” said Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “The Senate has made a strong commitment to maintaining critical levels of funding for education, health care, and transportation, while also making sure that those struggling during this pandemic are getting the support and financial relief that they need.”

As COVID-19 continues to spread across our Commonwealth, the Senate budget preserves access to essential services for our most vulnerable residents. The budget funds MassHealth at a total of $18.2 billion to maintain critical access to affordable health care coverage for over 1.9 million people, ensuring that comprehensive care for our most vulnerable children, seniors and low-income residents is protected in the middle of a public health crisis. The Senate’s budget also includes targeted investments to maintain and expand access to mental health care, while strengthening public health infrastructure at the local, state and regional level to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senate’s budget protects Massachusetts students and educational institutions. Continuing the Senate’s long-standing support of targeted investments in education, this budget holds harmless Chapter 70 funding in a manner consistent with the agreement reached between the Senate, House and Administration in July by providing $5.283 billion, an increase of $107.6 million over FY20. 

This additional level of investment will allow all school districts to maintain foundation spending levels while accounting for enrollment and inflation changes. The budget also includes $345 million for the Special Education (SPED) Circuit Breaker, reimbursing school districts for the cost of educating students with disabilities at the statutorily required 75% reimbursement rate. In addition to ensuring stability for the state’s K‑12 population, the Senate’s budget takes steps to invest in childcare providers and higher education institutions—both of which are critically important to the state’s economy and recovery in midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senate’s budget recommends a total of $46 billion in spending, a 5.5% increase over the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) General Appropriations Act. This spending recommendation is based on a revised tax revenue estimate of $27.592 billion, which provides for $3.558 billion less in available revenue than the original consensus revenue estimate originally agreed upon in January 2020. To close this anticipated revenue shortfall, the FY21 budget includes $1.5 billion from the Stabilization Fund, ensuring a majority of the Stabilization Fund balance remains for future years; $1.38 billion in available federal supports; and more than $400 million in new revenue initiatives. Among those initiatives, the budget includes provisions such as accelerated sales tax collection and a new fee structure for Transportation Network Companies. The budget also avoids drastic budget cuts while leaving the Commonwealth in a sound fiscal position moving forward.

Additional education investments include:

  • $5.283 billion for Chapter 70 education funding
  • $345 million for the Special Education Circuit Breaker
  • $115 million to reimburse public school districts for costs incurred when students leave to attend charter schools
  • $82.2 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs
  • $560.4 million for the University of Massachusetts, $308 million for the fifteen community colleges, and $285.5 million for the nine state universities; and $2 million for grants offered through the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative to support high school students with intellectual disabilities ages 18–22 with access to higher education opportunities
  • $40 million for a new reserve to cover parent fees for families receiving subsidized childcare for the remainder of FY 21
  • $3.0 million for Rural School Aid, after adding $1.5M on the floor
  • $1.5 million for the Civics Education Trust Fund

Additional health investments include:

  • $500.3 million for Adult Support Services, including assisted outpatient programming and comprehensive care coordination among health care providers
  • $163.6 million for a range of substance abuse treatment and intervention services
  • $94.5 million for children’s mental health services
  • $45.2 million for domestic violence prevention services
  • $35.4 million for early intervention services, to ensure supports are accessible and available to infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities
  • $17.5 million for Family Resource Centers to meet increased demand for services
  • $1.7 million for the State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) program to support a more effective local and regional public health delivery system

In addition to these health care investments, the Senate’s budget takes meaningful steps to expand access to care. It includes provisions that prohibit insurers from denying coverage for mental health services and primary care services solely because they were delivered on the same day in the same facility.  This important measure will remove a significant financial barrier to the integration of primary care and mental health. The budget, through the amendment process, also includes provisions that further expand reproductive health care options.

The Senate is committed to building an equitable recovery while dismantling the systemic barriers that exist in our society. To that end, the Senate’s budget creates and invests in programs to educate, train and prepare Massachusetts workers.

Opportunity investments include:

  • $40.6 million for adult basic education services to improve access to skills necessary to join the workforce
  • $20 million for summer jobs and work-readiness training for at-risk youth
  • a Community Empowerment and Reinvestment grant program to provide economic supports to communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system
  • $10 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to connect unemployed and under-employed workers with higher paying jobs
  • $6 million for Regional Economic Development Organizations to support economic growth in all regions of the state
  • $5 million for Community Foundations to provide emergency economic relief to historically underserved populations across the Commonwealth
  • $3 million for the Secure Jobs Connect program, providing job placement resources and assistance for homeless individuals
  • $2 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Access to affordable housing, which has taken on new urgency for many during the COVID-19 pandemic, is a key Senate priority for recovery. The Senate’s budget recognizes the crucial importance of housing to the Commonwealth’s recovery efforts and invests over $540 million in housing stability programs to support many families, tenants and property owners in this time of crisis.

Housing investments include:

  • $180.7 million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters
  • $135 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
  • $50 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), as well as emergency changes to the RAFT program to increase the maximum amount of rental assistance that a household can receive from $4,000 to $10,000 and allow eligible households facing a housing crisis to access both RAFT and HomeBASE.
  • $53.4 million for assistance for homeless individuals
  • $27.2 million for the HomeBASE diversion and rapid re-housing programs
  • $12.5 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), which provides rental assistance to people with disabilities, and $2.5 million for grants to improve or create accessible affordable housing units
  • $10.5 million for housing vouchers for Department of Mental Health (DMH) clients to transition into housing and community-based services
  • $4.75 million for the Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs)
  • $3.9 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including $250,000 for homeless LGBTQ+ youth
  • $2.5 million for the Office of Public Collaboration to support housing dispute mediation efforts across the Commonwealth
  • $1.3 million for the Tenancy Preservation Program 

In addition to these critical investments, this budget includes additional protection measures to ensure the state’s residents most at risk of eviction in the middle of a pandemic are kept safe and secure in their homes. Through the amendment process, the budget also includes a provision that would simplify the application process for RAFT and protect the credit rating of individuals who face eviction due to COVID-19 by sealing eviction records. This proposal provides additional protections and resources to tenants suffering a COVID-19-related financial hardship, as well as stability as they await short-term emergency rental assistance.

Food insecurity has become one of the most prevalent consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting children, adults and seniors alike. The Senate’s budget therefore prioritizes access to food resources across the Commonwealth.

Food insecurity investments include:

  • $30 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program
  • $13 million in Healthy Incentives Programs to ensure vulnerable households have continued access to food options during the pandemic
  • $1.2 million for Project Bread to support the Child Nutrition Outreach Program (CNOP) and the FoodSource Hotline

The Senate’s budget supports cities and towns while allowing them flexibility to confront the unique challenges facing them by directing significant resources to local and regional aid.  This includes increased funding for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to $94 million to ensure that commuters, students, seniors and people with disabilities have access to reliable public transportation during this time of critical need. Along with traditional local aid, the Senate’s budget level funds payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land to $30 million.  PILOT funding has been a beneficial source of local aid that provides cities and towns with additional resources to support core public services.

Local investments include:

  • $1.129 billion for unrestricted general government aid to support community investments in education, health care, public safety and roads and bridges
  • $32.6 million for the Board of Library Commissioners, $11.5 million for regional library local aid, $12 million for municipal libraries and $4.4 million for technology and automated resources
  • $18.2 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture and creative economy initiatives
  • $17 million for local Councils on Aging to strengthen programs and services in senior centers in communities across the state.

A Conference Committee will now convene to reconcile the differences between the Senate budget and the version passed by the House of Representatives last week.

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Legislature’s Soldiers’ Home Oversight Committee Holds First Public Hearing for Families

HOLYOKE (10/20/2020) 

The State Legislature’s Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Oversight Committee held its first public hearing at Holyoke Community College today for family members to share testimony regarding the COVID-19 outbreak at the Home, which tragically led to the deaths of 76 veterans.  

Senator John Velis, who represents Holyoke and the Soldiers’ Home, sits on the Committee and was among those who helped organize the hearings. In his opening remarks, Velis said how grateful he was to the families for sharing their stories. 

“I will never be able to truly understand the pain you and your families endured, and I can only imagine how difficult it is to relive those tragic months last spring,” said Velis. “Your strength, your courage, and your determination to seek justice and a better future for the Home, is inspiring. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here today.” 

The Committee heard from a number of different families during the hearing, which lasted for over three hours. Written testimony was also submitted to the Committee as well.  

Laurie Mandeville-Beaudette was one of the family members who testified during their hearing. Her Father, James Mandeville, had lived at the Soldiers’ Home for 16 years, and passed away in April from COVID-19. She said it was extremely difficult not to be able to be there to help her father. 

“He constantly complained during our Facetime calls that he felt like he was in prison. He couldn’t understand why I couldn’t be there with him. I was his daughter, his voice, his best friend. He relied on me for almost everything,” said Mrs. Mandeville-Beaudette. “Please do not let a disaster like this ever happen again.” 

Mrs. Mandeville-Beaudette also stated that she believed that the small room sizes, lack of PPE and proper sanitation, and poor medical decisions by administrators created “the perfect storm” for COVID-19 to run rampant in the Soldiers’ Home. 

Cheryl Turgeon also testified during the hearing. Her father, Dennis Threshner, is still a resident at the Home. In her testimony, she noted how many other families have been impacted and how important it is for the Home to be upgraded.  

“To the other 76 veteran’s family members, I hear your voices and you are not forgotten,” said Mrs. Turgeon. “They [current residents] need a new home, they need adult daycare, they need protections.” 

Senator Walter Timilty is one of the co-chairs of the Oversight Committee. After the hearing, he expressed how moving and emotional the testimonies of the family members were. 

“The heartfelt testimony that was offered today is vital to the Special Committee’s oversight process. What these veterans and families have endured is a true tragedy of epic proportions. I am so very thankful that these family members were able to summon the strength to share the tragic stories of their heroic loved ones with the Committee today,” said Timilty. “It was a very emotional hearing. It is my fervent hope that through the sharing of these stories, that we as a committee are able to find answers for those who were lost to the COVID-19 outbreak at the Soldiers’ Home.” 

The Committee will hold a second public hearing for families virtually on Thursday, October 22nd, and two hearings for Soldiers’ Home staff next week on Tuesday, October 27th and Thursday, October 29th.  

 When asked about the Committee’s work moving forward, Senator Velis stressed the importance of translating what they hear in the hearings into tangible recommendations and reforms. 

“For us to truly understand the necessary steps needed to better the Home and its veterans, it is essential that we fully grasp the magnitude of the events that transpired, and that is why these hearings with families, staff, and others are so critical,” said Velis. “The Home means so much to our veterans and our community, and we in the legislature need to make sure we are responding to every single issue and concern that contributed to this tragedy.” 

The Committee has a deadline of March 31st to file a report on its investigation and recommendations along with any possible legislation. 

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Senate Passes Legislation Ensuring Safe Patient Access to Emergency Care

(BOSTON – 10/22/2020) The Massachusetts State Senate today passed An Act to ensure safe patient access to emergency care, also known as “Laura’s Law,” in memory of Somerville resident Laura Beth Levis, who died in 2016 from an asthma attack just steps from an emergency-room door.

Levis, 34, was a vibrant, Harvard University editor who walked to the emergency room of CHA Somerville Hospital before dawn one September morning but was unable to get inside. Her attack intensified, and she collapsed before help could arrive. Numerous safety failures at the hospital, including inadequate ER signage, lighting, and an abandoned hospital security desk, all played a role in her tragic death.

“Laura Levis’ death was preventable, and this bill takes common sense steps to protect others in similar situations,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D – Ashland). “Peter DeMarco’s efforts to share his wife’s story speak to his remarkable resolve and commitment to helping others. I am grateful to him, as well as Senators Pat Jehlen, Michael Rodrigues, and Jo Comerford for proactively leading the way to make sure that Laura’s story is not repeated.”

“When people are in need of emergency services, every minute counts and the dim lights and unclear signage took minutes from Laura that cost her life,” said Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville), the lead Senate sponsor of the bill. “We simply do not want this to happen to anyone again, and we believe this legislation is one step toward saving lives with clear signage, lighting, way finding and better security monitoring of emergency department entrances.”

“This is a commonsense bill that will save lives,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Access to emergency care starts with making sure emergency rooms are clearly identifiable and reachable for patients in crisis. I applaud Senator Jehlen for her hard work on this important bill and my colleagues in the Committee for advancing it to the Senate for consideration.”

“Needless tragedies like what happened to Laura Levis must never happen again,” said Senator Jo Comerford, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health (D-Northampton). “Thanks to the leadership of Senator Jehlen, the Senate President, and our Senate Ways and Means Chair, the Senate took action today to make sure that our emergency rooms are well-lit, well-marked, and accessible day and night. I hope this bill quickly advances to the Governor and becomes law.”

“A well placed sign with clearly understandable directions can not only prevent navigating a hospital campus from being a burden, it can save a life when time counts in an emergency,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R – Gloucester). “This bill will ensure that some simple and powerful tools are always at work when we need them to get access to care.”

Laura’s story was chronicled in the Boston Globe story “Losing Laura,” written by her husband, Peter DeMarco, who has worked with Jehlen and Barber’s offices on passing the bill.

“We assume that hospitals have proper signage and lighting and security, but Laura’s death proves that isn’t always true. The hospital where Laura went didn’t even have something as simple as an illuminated Emergency sign above the right door for her to have used,” DeMarco said. “If Laura’s Law had existed that sign would have existed. She would have walked through the door, and she’d be alive today.”

Under Laura’s Law, the Department of Public Health would be required to create state standards for all hospital in Massachusetts to ensure safe, timely and accessible access to emergency departments.

According to DeMarco’s Globe story, Laura chose a locked door to try to access the emergency room because the correct door was not properly marked. Though Laura was on surveillance video, the hospital security desk was left unattended all night, so no one saw her. When a nurse from the emergency department eventually looked out the door for Laura, she did not see her, as the spot where Laura collapsed was in near darkness.

“Laura lost every coin flip that morning. But If you’re having an asthma attack, or a heart attack, or you are about to die from a drug overdose, a single impediment to getting inside an emergency room as quickly as possible can mean the difference between life or death,” DeMarco said. “I hope so much that through Laura’s death, someone else’s life will be saved. It’s why this bill needs to pass.”

Laura’s Law would not go into effect until after the governor’s Covid-19 state of emergency has been lifted. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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2nd Holyoke Soldiers’ Home hearing will feature staff accounts of coronavirus outbreak

October 27, 2020 – MassLive/The Republican – Stephanie Barry, Photo by Don Treeger

HOLYOKE — The second hearing before a legislative oversight committee on the COVID-19 crisis at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke is set to highlight accounts from staff who cared for sick and dying patients during the outbreak.

The hearing Tuesday at Holyoke Community College comes a week after an initial, in-person hearing largely featuring families of veterans. They testified about fathers and husbands who were sickened by or succumbed to the virus as the state-run nursing home for veterans reportedly descended into chaos.

……

State Sen. John Velis, D-Westfield, represents a district that includes Holyoke and is a veteran himself. He said he and his staff have mulled feedback he received in “listening sessions” with families over the summer and the first round of hearings.

Velis said he plans to press witnesses on Tuesday about the need for an ombudsman to act as conduit between the veterans and their families and the staff and administrators of the Soldiers’ Home.

“Families and residents need an independent, impartial and confidential person to talk to when things come up,” Velis said. “An ombudsman would be that independent watchdog on the ground who investigates issues when they arise.”

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October 18th, 2020 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone! 

I hope everyone had a great week and was able to enjoy the long weekend. I had plenty of meetings and events in the district this week, and have some updates regarding early voting and the Soldiers Home Oversight Committee to share. I also am excited to announce a new addition to my Senate Staff, Katie Verra! Katie is my new Chief of Staff & Legislative Counsel, and we are so excited to have her join the team. She recently received her J.D. from Suffolk University, and brings a wealth of experience in fiscal policy analysis and legislative drafting. Welcome Katie! 

Early voting began this past Saturday, October 17th! In addition to in-person voting on November 3rd, there will be early in-person voting available at a secure location in your City or Town from October 17th until October 30th. If you live in Westfield, you can vote at City Hall on any weekday from 9am-5pm, Saturdays from 9am-2pm, and Sundays from 11-4pm. If you live in Southwick, you can vote at Town Hall on any weekday from 8:30am-4:30pm (Thursdays until 6:30!), and on Saturdays/Sundays from 8am-12pm. If you live in another municipality, you can go to www.MassEarlyVote.com to find your early voting location and schedule, or give my office a call and we can help.  

Next week, the Legislature’s Soldiers Home Oversight Committee will be holding two public hearings for family members and health care proxies to share their testimonies directly with the Committee. The first hearing will be in-person at Holyoke Community College on Tuesday October 20th at 11am, and the second hearing will be held virtually on Thursday October 22nd at 12pm. Over the past months, I have held my own listening sessions with family members of those who lost loved ones, and I can tell you that their experiences are not only heartbreaking, but shine a lot of light onto how we can improve the Home moving forward. We need their voices, and I am grateful to all who are going to testify during these hearings.  

This past Tuesday I had a great meeting with SolaBlock’s founders Jason Laverty and Scott Longley. SolaBlock is an Easthampton-based company focusing on developing sustainable solar-wall systems that would enable almost any building structure to extract and use energy from the sun. We need to continue to develop sustainable energy sources, and it is great to see companies  utilizing Western Massachusetts manufacturing opportunities. Later that day I visited the Westfield Fire Department where I learned more about the department’s operations, and got to watch them conduct practice scenario training on firefighters who have been incapacitated and need assistance. They were also kind enough to feed me dinner! It is always great to see first hand how our first responders prepare and train, and many thanks to Fire Chief Egloff for the invitation.  

On Thursday morning I participated in a very productive virtual discussion with the West of the River Chamber of Commerce alongside several of my legislative colleagues. The Chamber has many business members from Agawam and West Springfield, and we discussed the challenges that businesses are facing and how we in the legislature can help. Navigating the recovery and reopening process is not going to be easy, but it is critical that we are meeting the changing needs and concerns of our local businesses. 

On Friday I joined other Western Massachusetts legislators for a call with MassDOT Secretary Pollack for a discussion regarding developments with the Valley Flyer project. The Valley Flyer train, which has a station stop in Holyoke, is an important mode of transportation for so many in our communities and we are looking forward to its expansion. Later on Friday, I went over to the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation’s empowerment center in Agawam to help pass out food kits. The MMSF has done such a great job of helping veterans and community members get access to the food they need during these difficult times, and I greatly appreciate their work.  

On Saturday I joined the Westfield Council on Aging for their “Serving up Senior Safety” Luncheon. We distributed lunches to nearly 200 seniors in the community and shared information on local resources and how to stay safe during COVID-19. Later that evening, I joined the Agawam Police Department for a ride-along, where I got a chance to see what their officers go through on a daily basis and how they prepare. It is so important to get out and see this work for myself. These experiences are truly eye-opening, and I am grateful to have been able to join them. 

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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October 11th, 2020 – Weekly Update

Hello all,

I hope everyone is doing well. I know we had some intense storms this week and I want to send my thanks to all the municipal public safety and public works departments who were on call for storm damage and power outages. Southampton in particular had over 400 residents without power and my office was able to facilitate communication between Eversource Energy and the Southampton Fire Department; who were then able to work together to restore power. 

This week I hosted a meeting with legislative colleagues, community activists, and UMass Amherst researchers on the existence and dangers of PFAS in our food sources. Among other things, we discussed the possibility of a pilot study at UMass that would look at eggshells from communities with high PFAS levels like Westfield and Hyannis. This pilot study could lead to expanded studies that would help us determine what products have PFAS in them, where they come from, and how we can best address PFAS in our food sources. Our communities deserve to know what we are consuming and there was great legislative interest in the study.

I also want to acknowledge that this past week was Mental Illness Awareness Week. Those dealing with mental and behavioral health issues often do not get the help and support they need because of the stigma surrounding the topic. These issues are only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and we have seen rates of depression increase during these past several months. As a member of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, I am proud that the State has launched their new “More to the Story Campaign”, which is focused on normalizing conversations and reducing the stigma around mental and behavioral health issues. People often mask what they are going through. But there is always more to the story and we can all do more to help those who are struggling. To find out more about the campaign and other related resources, please contact my office. 

This past Monday morning I had a meeting at the Holyoke Health Center with E.D. Jay Breines, Representative Vega, and Representative-Elect Pat Duffy on the impact of the health center on the greater Holyoke area and how we in the legislature can support them. Later on Monday I joined Mayor Sapelli of Agawam for a tour of Belt Technologies. It’s always eye-opening to see how businesses have adapted to meet the challenges of COVID-19. We need to continue to provide support to them as we go through these recovery stages. 

Tuesday morning, I went over to the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Food Pantry to spend some time helping out. Food insecurity is still one of our largest challenges for our most vulnerable populations and it is great to see how these organizations and volunteers go above and beyond to provide groceries and resources.  

On Friday, I had a virtual meeting with Secretary Sudders from the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and many legislative colleagues on the proposed closing of Farren Health in Turner Falls and the proposed patient transfer to Mount Saint Vincent in Holyoke. My colleagues and I have deep concerns about such a change taking place during this pandemic, and I advocated for delaying the move and for increased guidelines and resources to be provided for residents, staff, and families. After this meeting, I went over to Holyoke to present Esme Power with an official Senate Citation. Esme was recently named a delegate to the national Girl Scout Council, and has spent time advocating for people to vote and use their voice! I am so proud of the great youth in our communities, and congratulations to Esme. 

I wrapped up Friday night by spending several hours on a ride-along with the Westfield Police Department. I believe in rolling up my sleeves and seeing things first hand and these ride-alongs are an important opportunity to see the daily work of our law enforcement officers. I am grateful to WPD for letting me come along. 

This week I also had a variety of meetings with economic experts and the Ways and Means Committee to talk about the State Economy. The fact remains that it is still hard to predict exactly what our economic recovery is going to look like without a federal package. This budget is going to require strategic planning and we are looking at all options. We need to be fiscally responsible for the long-term and not dig ourselves into a hole while at the same time provide funding and clarity for those struggling in our communities. I will continue to update you all as the budget moves along. 

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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