Category: Senate Session

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May 2nd, 2021 – Weekly Update

Happy May Everyone,

We had a big week over here in the State Senate.  I’m very proud to announce that the Bond Bill to fund the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home passed the Senate.  After months of working tirelessly with staff, family, and residents, this is a huge step towards creating a new Home where we can care for our veterans with the dignity they deserve.  The bill still hasn’t been signed into law yet , but I’m hopeful and will continue to work relentlessly to push this through. 

Apart from the preparation for the Bond Bill, I was able to still get out into the community and meet with some constituents this week.  On Monday, I took a meeting with the 509 chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).  As the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, I look forward to working with them on policy in the future.

I also met with Westfield State University’s student government this week to provide them with my annual update about the State Legislature.  I’m very proud to have Westfield State in my district.  These students are going to be our next generation of leaders and I’m always to happy to talk to them about what’s going on in the Legislature.

I was also able to tour another one of my favorite places in Westfield this week, the Boys and Girls Club.  I, alongside State Senator Lesser from Springfield and Representative Pease from Westfield, toured their new addition.  We also toured their new kitchen which has been vital during the course of this pandemic.  We’re lucky to have such a hardworking and dedicated staff at our local Boys and Girls’ Club. 

Also congratulations is in order for Miren Neyran Alcantara from Holyoke Community College and Miranda Kamukala of Springfield Technical Community College, two constituents of mine who are being celebrated this week by the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges for being some of the highest academic achievers in our state’s entire Community College System! Both were named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Massachusetts Academic Team for their outstanding academic achievement and student service. The community colleges in our region have some truly incredible students and congratulations to both on their achievements.

This Sunday marks Easter in the Greek Orthodox church!  My family and I are very proud of our Greek heritage and faith.  I’m very excited to be able to celebrate with them and I hope that as we move out of the pandemic, gatherings like this become more and more common.  στην υγειά μας!

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

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Massachusetts Senate Advances Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Bond Bill

(Boston–04/29/2021) On Thursday, April 29, 2021, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill authorizing $400 million in bonds for the design and construction of a new facility for the soldiers’ home in Holyoke. It also authorizes the issuance of $200 million in general obligation bonds to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for Massachusetts veterans across the state, with an emphasis on those areas not primarily served by the soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or Holyoke.

“Massachusetts has always been a leader for veteran services, and this bill reflects the Senate’s deep commitment to those who have served our nation,” stated Senator John Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “While our veteran population and their medical needs are changing, the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home’s mission remains the same: to provide care with honor and dignity. This bond bill will ensure that the next generation of residents at the Home receive the care with honor and dignity that they have earned in service to our country.”

“The funding in this bill will ensure that we begin to rethink how we deliver care to veterans of every generation across Massachusetts,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Ensuring that our veterans are connected to their communities is an important factor in ensuring that their physical and mental health is taken care of, and so I am proud of the steps we have taken to ensure geographic equity and accessibility, especially for our women and LGBTQ veterans, as well as veterans of color. Our quick action in passing this legislation will help ensure we maximize federal funds in this important endeavor.”

In passing the $400 million bond authorization for a new soldiers’ home in Holyoke, Massachusetts is eligible to receive up to 65 per cent in federal reimbursement through the Veterans Affairs State Home Construction Grant Program. The existing soldiers’ home in Holyoke was built in 1952 with many triple and quadruple-bed rooms. The bill passed by the Senate will advance the construction of a modern facility with a “small house” concept to meet the needs of future generations of veterans.

“To meet the needs of the ever changing veteran population, the bill adopted today is a reflection of the strong advocacy of the members of this Senate to begin providing the long-term care services desperately needed for all veterans across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways & Means. “I want to thank Senate President Spilka for her leadership along with Senators Rush, Velis, Feeney and others for their contributions to improve the bill to address regional equity and increase accessibility to services for our veterans who are not served by the soldiers’ homes in Chelsea or Holyoke.”

The Senate adopted an amendment on the floor to ensure that construction of the project utilizes a diverse workforce and provides for well-paying, middle class jobs. The amendment inserts Project Labor Agreement language that mandates a pre-bid, pre-hire labor agreement for the construction of the new facility in Holyoke, which will ensure that the workforce is local, diverse, inclusive, well-trained, safe and skilled.

Historically, such agreements on large taxpayer funded projects result in the completion of construction on-time and on or under budget. Additionally, this amendment mandates bold action to establish, recruit, and assist women, minority, and veteran owned businesses who may participate in the design and construction of the facility. The bill establishes the Access, Inclusion, and Diversity Committee to help set and monitor progress of diversity and inclusion goals and recommend solutions and programs to meet them, throughout the design and construction of the facility.

“The new Holyoke Soldier’s Home should be a safe, comfortable and welcoming facility worthy of its residents and their service to this country,” stated Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets. “Our veterans deserve the very best in care and treatment. The passage of this bond authorization will ensure that their needs are met for generations to come. I am proud that the Senate added additional language during our debate that strengthens the bill to reflect our Commonwealth’s collective values. It is critical that significant taxpayer funded projects of this scope be completed on-time and on-budget with a diverse, local, safe, well-trained and highly skilled workforce. Additionally, we should be working diligently to assist women, minority, and veteran owned businesses in creating jobs and opportunities now and in the future. The bill we passed today accomplishes these goals by authorizing funding for a modern facility for our Commonwealth’s veterans while expanding opportunities for many local working-class people in the construction trades.”

As part of the Senate’s commitment to increase geographic equity and accessibility for all veterans, the bill requires the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), in consultation with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) and the Department of Veterans

Affairs (DVA), to hold hearings across the state to better understand the regional long-term care needs of veterans throughout the Commonwealth. Based on these hearings, communities will be better positioned to advocate for the $200 million authorized in new capital spending for long-term care services for veterans across the continuum of care, including potentially new “small home” satellite veterans’ homes, or new or expanded capital supports for community or home-based care.

One of many amendments adopted on the floor also requires the Department of Veteran’s Services to consider the needs of veterans in designing facilities to ensure new facilities meet the needs of a changing veteran population, while another requires plans for new long-term care facilities to prioritize equitable access, regardless of race, religion, sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

The bill must now be reconciled with the version recently passed by the House of Representatives.

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March 21, 2021 – Weekly Update

Happy St. Patrick’s Day Folks, 

It was another busy week here in the State Senate.  This week marked the first hearing on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Bond Bill.  Elected officials, family members, veterans’ advocates, and myself testified before the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on the specifics of the bill, which would allow the state to build an entirely new facility.  The need for a new Home has existed for far too long and the tragedy that occurred there this past spring has only made that more apparent.  Our veterans are the best of us and therefore they deserve the best from us. 

This past Thursday’s Senate session was fruitful as well.  The Senate passed a coronavirus relief package aimed at small businesses. Among other things, it would make PPP loans non-taxable income and extend the tax filing deadline until May 17th.  As the light at end of the tunnel for this pandemic gets brighter and brighter, it’s paramount that the legislature continues to focus on the keystone of our economic recovery: small businesses.   

In addition to the hearing about the bond bill this week, the Special Oversight Committee on the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke also held a hearing on Friday.  We heard testimony directly from Mark Pearlstein, who was appointed by the Governor to conduct an independent investigation on the COVID-19 outbreak at the Home.  The purpose of these hearings is to find out the underlying institutional causes that led to the tragedy at the Home last spring and to make sure something like this never happens again.   

Friday morning I also joined some of my colleagues and officials from Mercy Medical Center for their virtual legislative breakfast. It was an informative meeting where we heard directly from Mercy leadership about how the Center has adapted to COVID-19 to serve our communities. 

On Wednesday I had the pleasure of presenting citations to two retiring Westfield Police officers, Terry Manos and William Ulrich.  With a combined sixty-four years on the force, they did an excellent job serving and protecting our community.  Thank you to the both of them and everyone here in my office is wishing them a happy retirement.   

I’d also like to commend the staff and students at Holyoke Community College for being ranked amongst the best community colleges in the United States by AcademicInfluence.com this week.  They were 20th out of 839 schools across the country.  They’re deserving of it and I know they will continue to help build a stronger workforce for the entire region.   

This week, the Governor also announced new updates to the Vaccine eligibility timeline. On March 22nd, individuals 60+ and workers in certain sectors will become eligible.  On April 5th, individuals 55+ and those with one comorbidity will become eligible.  And on April 19th, the general public will become eligible.  If you have any questions on your eligibility, please visit www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine  or my website link which I mention below. 

Recently, I also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/  To sign up for my quarterly newsletter, head to 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. 

Sláinte! 

John Velis 

Senator Velis presents Senate citations to Westfield Police officers, Terry Manos and William Ulrich, who retired this past year after 32 years each of service.
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Senate Passes Comprehensive Unemployment and Business Support Bill

Comprehensive bill includes COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave, updates to Unemployment Insurance and Paycheck Protection Program loans, extends tax filing deadline.

(BOSTON–03/19/21) Ten weeks after Senate President Karen E. Spilka promised swift action on COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a comprehensive bill that would guarantee five paid days off for every employee in the Commonwealth. The bill also seeks to stabilize the state’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) trust fund, provides substantial tax relief to businesses and workers, and delays the state tax filing deadline.

“In January, I declared that we must act quickly to provide our workers with COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave, and today the Senate has delivered on that promise,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I am proud of the collaboration that brought about this agreement, which will provide needed relief for both businesses and workers. As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 emergency, these measures will provide stability to our economy, and keep workers safe.”

“As we slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, I am proud of the collective action taken by the Senate and House to pass this comprehensive bill that strikes a balance to help businesses, workers, and jumpstart an equitable recovery for our Commonwealth,” stated Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “With more people getting vaccinated by the day, and our economy re-opening, this bill will bring much needed relief to small businesses, keep our essential front line workers safe, and target tax relief to lift up low-income families who lost jobs during this pandemic. Time is of the essence, so I look forward to this comprehensive relief package becoming law.”

“This bill provides critical support for the many businesses and residents who have continued to struggle financially during this pandemic,” said Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “The changes to unemployment insurance, PPP loan tax status, and the tax filing deadline will provide much needed stability and flexibility during an incredibly stressful time,”

To help protect employees on the front lines, and prevent the further spread of COVID-19, this bill ensures that all workers in Massachusetts have access to paid leave if they are unable to work as a result of a COVID-19 infection or a quarantine order. Significantly, given the state’s push to increase vaccination rates, employees will be able to use this paid leave time to take time off to receive the vaccine. In addition, the legislation provides for leave if the worker needs time to care for a family member unable to work because of COVID.

Under this legislation, employees are eligible for up to five days of paid leave, at their regular rate of pay, capped at $850 per week—which is the same maximum weekly benefit provided for in the Massachusetts Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) law. Employers covered by federal legislation providing for paid leave will have the cost of providing such leave paid for through the federal tax credit. For all other employers, the bill creates a $75 million COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Fund to reimburse eligible employers for providing their employees with emergency paid sick leave. The state requirement for paid leave would extend until September 30, 2021 or until the fund is exhausted.

The COVID-19 public health crisis has created a surge of pandemic-related unemployment claims, which has depleted the Commonwealth’s unemployment trust fund, necessitating borrowing from the federal government to pay out those benefits. The bill therefore authorizes up to $7 billion worth of borrowing to replenish the UI trust fund and to repay all federal UI loans, funded by an employer charge, and creates a separate time-limited employer assessment to repay interest on federal UI loans by their due dates to ensure the solvency of the UI trust fund.

The Senate accepted an amendment from Senator Patricia D. Jehlen (D-Somerville) to establish a commission on the solvency of the UI trust fund to pursue long-term solutions for solvency. The commission convenes a balance of business and advocacy interests with the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce to report on changes required to ensure a solvent trust fund.

The bill also provides much-needed UI-related relief to businesses and employees. For businesses, the bill prevents increases in the UI rate schedule for 2021 and 2022, providing employers with needed stability and relief as the Commonwealth continues to recover. For unemployed workers, some navigating the UI system for the first time, the bill waives tax penalties on UI benefits in 2020 and 2021. It also mirrors federal tax provisions included in the recent American Rescue Plan and excludes $10,200 of unemployment compensation received by an individual with a household income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level from gross income for tax purposes, putting up to $500 into the hands of lower income unemployed individuals. This would apply to individuals making $25,760 or under, or a total income of $53,000 for a family of four.

Further relief for businesses comes in the form of a change in state tax policy regarding PPP loans. In Massachusetts, corporate excise, but not personal income tax, is tied to the current federal Internal Revenue Code. As a result, Massachusetts’ tax law treats forgiven Paycheck Protection Program loans differently depending on whether the recipient small businesses is organized as a pass-through entity or a c-corp. This bill conforms to federal law and ensures that all forgiven PPP loans, advance Economic Injury Disaster Loans and payments made under the federal Small Business Debt Relief are excluded from gross income, regardless of how the business is organized.

“With the tax filing season upon us, the inclusion of language from my PPP loan forgiveness bill will ensure that thousands of businesses won’t be hit hard with a significant, potentially insurmountable, tax burden amidst the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated Senator Eric P. Lesser (D-Longmeadow), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. “Over 140,000 businesses across the Commonwealth have received Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration, and have been asked to be patient, flexible, and resilient in order to keep their lights on. It’s unfair for our state to hit them with an unexpected tax. This is a critical measure for speedy economic recovery.”

Finally, to align state tax deadlines with federal tax deadlines, the bill extends the Commonwealth’s tax filing deadline from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. This tax flexibility, similar to a delay authorized last year by the Legislature, will provide stability and ensure residents have time to prepare and file taxes as the state continues to weather the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill now goes to the House for further action.

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Velis one of twenty legislators across the country to be selected for opioid fellowship

(BOSTON 3/4/2021) – Last week the National Conference of State Legislatures announced that they had selected twenty state legislators from across the country to participate in their 2021 Opioid Policy Fellows Program. Among those selected was Senator John Velis (D-Westfield). Prior to his selection and the application process, Senator Velis had been nominated for the fellowship program by Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland).  

“Recovery—and the struggles of addiction—are issues that I personally understand and want to positively impact,” said Senator Velis, who is Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. “I believe one of the long-lasting impacts of this pandemic is going to be the negative effect this period of isolation and stress has had on those suffering with mental health disorders and substance abuse. For many people these two issues are co-occurring, and I’m looking forward to learning more about what we can institute here in Massachusetts to help address these problems.” 

The program is designed for legislators who are emerging leaders in opioid and substance use disorder issues and is supported by health professionals, addiction experts, and policy specialists. The fellowship will include a series of seminars and conferences that focus on policies to prevent, intervene and treat opioid misuse, addiction and overdose. The program will also address the intersections of opioid use with mental health, maternal and pediatric health, human services, and criminal justice.  

“This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from those who have been studying issues of opioid addiction and substance use disorders for years,” said Senator Velis. “In addition to speaking with subject matter experts, this is also a chance to learn about innovative programs that other states have implemented that we here in Massachusetts might be missing out on. This is all about taking those best practices and policies that are out there and figuring out how we can implement them here in the Commonwealth to help save lives.” 

“So much of our world has changed due to the ongoing pandemic, and that includes how to best offer assistance to those with addiction and substance use disorders,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Senator Velis has been a longtime advocate for those in the recovery community and it’s for that reason I was thrilled to nominate him for NCSL’s 2021 Opioid Policy Fellow Program and congratulate him on his selection. I look forward to him sharing with the Senate more about his experience so that we can continue to build on our progress to help those most in need as they continue to recover.” 

Senator Velis was appointed Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery last month. The Chair of the Committee is Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). 

“We always make better policy when we bring our most real vulnerable experiences to this work. I have much admiration for Senator Velis’ decision to share his own journey through addiction and use it to inform how we go about helping others,” said Senator Cyr. “Our committee work will benefit from his pursuit of further study on opioid policy.” 

The first conference for the program will be held virtually on the weekend of March 26th. There will be a series of shorter virtual webinars throughout the later spring and summer, and organizers hope to hold a second weekend conference in person in September.  

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February 21, 2021 – Weekly Update

Hello Everyone, 

I hope you’re all doing well. I know many of you reached out to my office this week regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, especially on Thursday when the appointment website went down. This is completely unacceptable, and the system absolutely has to be improved.   

When individuals 65+ and those with 2+ comorbidities became eligible to book appointments this week, over a million new people became eligible. The state received just over 110,000 doses from the federal government this past week, and we simply do not have the vaccines at this time for everyone to get an appointment immediately. That being said, it should not be this difficult to access the site, book an appointment, and get clear information. Although Governor Baker is unilaterally overseeing the vaccine rollout and vaccination locations, I will continue to communicate these issues and advocate for improvements. Next week, the Legislature will be holding a public, livestreamed oversight hearing on Thursday to hear directly from Administration officials on the rollout of the vaccine process and the website itself. We expect answers from those responsible for this failure and a better system must be delivered for our residents.  

This Friday marked the official end of “bill filing” season.  After weeks of requests, research, and revisions, my staff and I are excited to announce all the bills that we’ve filed in the Senate so far. I will still have the ability to file bills through the entire two-year session, but submitting by this deadline ensures that they will be heard by a committee promptly. 

I’m also excited to announce that for this upcoming Legislative session, I will be the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities as well as the Vice-Chair of  the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery.  As a veteran, I’m especially proud to announce my Chairmanship of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.  All of these are policy areas that I’m passionate about and I’m very much looking forward to a productive Legislative session.   

As a part of the bill filing process, my staff and I have been taking meetings with many constituents and experts regarding issues facing the Commonwealth.  Among those meetings I took this week, one that stands out is the meeting I had with Maryanne Frangules, the founder of the Massachusetts Organization of Addiction Recovery (MOAR).  We discussed how COVID-19 has exacerbated difficulties for those suffering from addiction and how the Legislature and especially my new position as Vice-Chairmanship of  the Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery can best help them in the upcoming session.   

Thursday morning, I met with the Western Mass Legislative delegation to discuss how Baystate’s pending consolidation of psychiatric beds in the region and Holyoke Medical Center’s acquisition of Providence Behavior Health Hospital will affect the area.  As always, we will work with our partners in both the Legislature and in the private sector to insure the best possible outcome for the patients of Western Mass.   

Recently, I also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/ To sign up for my quarterly newsletter, head to 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 Velis 

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Velis named Chair of Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee

BOSTON (2/17/2021) – On Friday the Massachusetts State Senate announced new committee assignments for the 2021-2022 legislative session. Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) was named the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. When asked about his new position, Senator Velis stressed the importance of delivering for those who have served our country. 

“Those in our Armed Forces are selfless and courageous individuals who lay their lives on the line in defense of our great country. In turn, we need to do everything we can to make sure we are properly assisting and caring for those who serve and have served.” said Senator Velis, who is a Veteran and Major in the U.S. Army Reserves himself. “Our Veterans have their own unique needs and skillsets, and I am incredibly excited to chair the committee directly tasked with all aspects of Veteran affairs.” 

Senator Velis will chair the Joint Committee alongside State Representative Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham). Senator Velis noted that he has filed several pieces of Veteran Affairs legislation on his own already and that he hopes to see several major Veterans Bills be signed by Governor Baker this session. 

In addition to his chairmanship, Senator Velis was also named Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, and Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.  

“Both of these committees will be working on issues very near and dear to my heart,” said Senator Velis. “As someone who went through the special education system in Westfield, and as someone who has had their own struggles in recovery, I look forward to lending my personal insight to these committees as we work on legislation that will benefit residents across the Commonwealth.” 

Senator Velis will also be sitting on five other joint committees in the 2021-2022 legislative session, including the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security, the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight, and the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development.  

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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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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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