Category: Uncategorized

Hello everyone,

I hope you all had a great week! With the Senate having passed its budget the week before Memorial Day I was overjoyed to have been able to spend this week connecting with constituents and attending events across our district.

On Monday I had the opportunity to join a number of our district’s thoughtful Memorial Day ceremonies. I kicked off the day bright and early to join community members from Agawam and West Springfield for the annual wreath laying at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge. Later that morning I joined Easthampton for their parade and ceremony followed by a visit to the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery’s annual ceremony before ending my day in Russell. I am so grateful for all those who helped organize these events and the countless other observations of Memorial Day this week to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

With high school graduations right around the corner I had the opportunity to join Westfield’s Dollar for Scholars annual award night on Tuesday. Congratulations to all the recipients, I have no doubt you all have bright futures ahead of you!

Speaking of graduations, this past Thursday the Westfield Technical Academy Aviation Maintenance program had a special send off for their graduating seniors over at Barnes Municipal Airport. Over the past few years these students have had an incredible high school experience learning how to repair and maintain aircrafts to help prepare them to become FAA certified mechanics following graduation. We are beyond lucky to be one of the very few schools in the country to provide our students with this opportunity and help prepare them for a thriving workforce. Congratulations to all the graduates!

On Thursday evening my good friends from the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery held a public policy forum right here in Western Massachusetts. As the Senate Chair for the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery I was proud to update all those in our region dedicated to helping those with substance use disorders about legislation before the committee and our monumental substance use disorder bill that was signed into law a few months ago.

This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Russell, and I was thrilled to connect with constituents at our Southampton office hours on Wednesday morning. Next week Team Velis will be hosting office hours on Monday at the Agawam Council on Aging from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you are unable to make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Best,    

John Velis  

Senate upholds ongoing fiscal responsibility, protects core services, and reinforces the state’s economic foundation in the face of federal uncertainty

(BOSTON—5/22/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today approved a $61.4 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). Over three full days of debate, the Chamber adopted 493 amendments, adding a total of $81.1 million in spending for statewide initiatives and local priorities for communities throughout the Commonwealth to the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s originally proposed budget.

The final budget—which safeguards the state’s financial health, protects the state’s most vulnerable residents, and makes investments that reinforce the Commonwealth’s economic vitality in the face of mounting federal threats—was passed with bipartisan support by a vote of 38-2. It neither raises taxes nor spends dollars from the state’s stabilization fund—also known as the ‘Rainy Day Fund’—which currently stands at a historic $8.1 billion.

“This budget reflects the Senate’s commitment to a Commonwealth that carefully balances investing in our people with responsible money management so we can protect our residents, communities and economy for years to come,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate’s statewide approach to investment delivers resources to every part of the state and protects our most vulnerable residents, while our continued focus on education and mental health ensures that residents have they keys to unlock the doors of opportunity. I am profoundly grateful to each member for their contributions to this budget, to Chair Rodrigues and his staff for their tireless and inclusive work, as well as Vice Chair Comerford, Assistant Vice Chair Feeney, and each of the committee members for their commitment to shaping the state’s investments in our collective future.”

“The Fiscal Year 2026 $61.4 billion budget overwhelmingly passed by the Senate makes highly impactful and transformative investments in education, transportation, local aid, health and human services, housing, public safety, and other vital areas. This budget is centered on the principle of fiscal responsibility, never more important with the continuing economic uncertainty at the federal level,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The budget reflects the Senate’s deep and steadfast commitment towards achieving long-term sustainability while protecting core services for our most vulnerable populations. Thank you to all my Senate colleagues, especially members of the committee, whose thoughtful input, advocacy, and collaboration helped to develop and shape this comprehensive budget plan. Thank you to the committee staff, whose tireless work was largely responsible for producing this budget. Lastly, I would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to Senate President Spilka for placing her trust in me, and for her compassionate and resolute leadership as we work together to rebuild our economy and grow our state’s long-term economic health.”

“This budget is a testament to the Senate’s collective values and our shared responsibility to invest in every community and every person in the Commonwealth—from the Connecticut River Valley to Cape Cod. By prioritizing education, transportation, health care, and support for municipalities, we are not only addressing immediate needs but also laying the foundation for a more equitable and resilient Commonwealth amid a time of great national turbulence and strife,” said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka and Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues and their teams for leading this responsive, steadfast, and compassionate budget. Our work is far from over, but today, we move forward with the goal of ensuring that all Massachusetts residents have the opportunity to thrive.”

“The Fiscal Year 2026 Senate budget represents a common sense, pragmatic spending approach ahead of imminent economic headwinds and federal uncertainty,” said Senator Paul R. Feeney (D-Foxborough), Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “It is a balanced, spend-within-our-means budget that uses the revenue we have available today, without increasing taxes, to invest in the most pressing needs of the Commonwealth. With smart investments in childcare, career and technical education, housing, education, economic development, public safety, and more, the Senate’s budget represents a values driven approach that lifts up the priorities of taxpayers across the Commonwealth, meets the needs of the most vulnerable, and maintains our state’s competitiveness.”

The Senate’s final budget increases spending by $3.7 billion over Fiscal Year 2025, with the majority of the increase attributed to MassHealth. Aligned with estimated tax revenue growth, the spending plan is based on a consensus tax revenue estimate of $41.214 billion for the coming fiscal year, a 2.25 per cent increase over the current fiscal year’s benchmark. Based on Fair Share surtax revenue estimates, the Senate’s budget proposal included $1.95 billion in education and transportation investments, an increase of $650 million over the last fiscal year.

Fair Share Investments

The Senate’s budget includes $1.95 billion in Fair Share surtax revenues, consistent with the consensus revenue agreement reached with the Administration and House of Representatives.

The Senate budget uses these revenues to support quality public education investments and the state’s transportation infrastructure, two cornerstones of the state’s economic foundation. Together with the Senate’s $1.28 billion Fair Share supplemental budget proposal passed earlier this month, total support this year for Fair Share supported statewide transportation and education projects amount to over $3 billion.

To brace for potential federal actions, the Senate’s FY26 budget deposits $165 million of surtax revenues into the Education and Transportation Reserve Fund, maintaining the Senate’s steadfast commitment to prioritizing fiscal responsibility in the face of rising uncertainty. By doing so, the budget sets aside a downpayment that will help maintain commitments to public education programming and transportation infrastructure in the event of economic disruption due to potential federal actions.

Notable Fair Share Education investments include:

· $325 million for the Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) grant program, which is matched with $150 million in funds from the General Fund and the Early Education and Care Operational Grant Fund, for a total investment of $475 million.

· $265 million for Student Opportunity Act (SOA) expansion, as part of a $460 million increase from FY25 to support the fifth year of the implementation of the Student Opportunity Act and provide $150 in minimum per-pupil aid.

· $170 million for universal free school meals.

· $120 million for universal free community college, including non-credit tuition funding for those seeking to become emergency medical technicians and paramedics.

· $100 million to maintain financial aid programs for in-state students attending state universities through MASSGrant Plus, which is in addition to the $175.8 million for scholarships funded through general revenue.

· $98 million for childcare supports, coupled with a $192.8 million increase in the General Fund to maintain the current capacity and rates of the childcare financial assistance program.

· $50 million for school transportation reimbursement costs.

· $14 million for the State University Supporting Urgent Community College Equity through Student Services (SUCCESS) Program.

· $10 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative (CPPI), matching $17.6 million in general revenue for a total of $27.6 million, to support a pathway to universal pre-kindergarten expansion, including in Gateway Cities and the Summer Step Up program.

· $20 million for early literacy initiatives and programs.

· $8 million for the Reimagining High School Initiative.

· $5 million for school-based mental health and wraparound services.

Notable Fair Share Transportation investments include:

· $350 million, in addition to $150 million from the General Fund, for a total of $500 million to support Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operations, including key initiatives like low-income fare relief, year-round ferry service and the MBTA Academy. Together with the Senate’s recently passed Fair Share supplemental budget, the Committee has proposed dedicating $820 million in operating resources to fully fund MBTA’s operations for FY26.

· $120 million to support Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) across the state. Together with resources from the General Fund, the bill provides a record $214 million for RTAs. The Fair Share portion of the funding includes:

o $66 million in direct operating support for RTAs.

o $40 million to support complete fare free fixed-route access across all RTAs.

o $10 million to incentivize connections between regional transit routes and local economic hubs.

o $4 million to support expanded mobility options for the elderly and people with disabilities.

· $78 million for debt service for expanded new bond capacity for the Commonwealth Transportation Fund (CTF) for essential transportation projects across the Commonwealth.

· By committing $600 million annually to the CTF, the Senate will unlock additional bond capacity for critical transportation projects over the next ten years.

· $52 million in operating support for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).

Education

The Senate FY26 budget supports students of all ages by maintaining investments in public education at every level. The budget fully funds the fifth year of the Student Opportunity Act, provides a historic funding commitment to the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), and stands with public and private institutions of higher education at a volatile time.

With a $1.71 billion total investment in early education and care, the Senate’s budget builds on last year’s passage of the EARLY ED Act, supporting the sector’s workforce, protecting programming, and maintaining access to affordable care for families facing economic pressures.

Notable education funding includes:

· $517.6 million for income-eligible childcare.

· $448.2 million for Department of Children & Families (DCF) and Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) related childcare, providing critical services for families eligible for subsidized care.

· $475 million for the C3 operational grant program, supporting critical operational and workforce initiatives across the early education sector for the third year in a row.

· $98 million for childcare supports, coupled with a $192.8 million increase from the General Fund to maintain the current capacity and rates of the childcare financial assistance program.

· $44.9 million for EEC Quality Improvement Initiatives.

· $27.6 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative to maintain access to universal pre-kindergarten and preschool opportunities in underserved areas.

· $20 million for Childcare Resource and Referral Centers to support parents, childcare providers, employers, and community groups in navigating the state’s early education and care landscape.

· $20 million for grants to Head Start programs to promote school readiness for young children in low-income households.

· $5 million for grants to early education and care providers for childhood mental health consultation services.

· $2.5 million to continue the successful public–private pilot program with employers to create new childcare seats.

The Senate budget’s public K-12 investments provide crucial support to school districts confronting increased costs and fiscal pressures while delivering high quality public education to Massachusetts’ students.

To support schools across the state, the Senate follows through on the commitment to fully fund and implement the Student Opportunity Act by Fiscal Year 2027 and invests $7.3 billion in Chapter 70 state aid to public schools, an increase of $460 million over FY25. Further, the budget increases minimum Chapter 70 aid to $150 per pupil, delivering an additional $39.6 million in resources to school districts across the state.

For the second year, the Senate’s budget dedicates $120 million to fully fund MassEducate, the Commonwealth’s universal free community college program that became law in last year’s budget. By again delivering free tuition and fees for residents, the FY26 proposal continues its support for this vital initiative that expands economic opportunity in a regionally equitable manner across the Commonwealth.

Other education investments include:

· $492 million for the Special Education (SPED) Circuit Breaker, in addition to the $190 million included in the Fair Share supplemental budget recently passed. Together with Fair Share supplemental funding, the Senate’s FY26 budget fulfills the promise of 75 per cent reimbursement for eligible tuition and transportation costs, recommending $682 million in total to reimburse school districts for the cost of educating students with disabilities.

· $183 million for charter school reimbursements.

· $275.8 million for scholarships to students, including $100 million in Fair Share resources to expand MASSGrant Plus financial aid support for students attending public institutions.

· $103.7 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs, including $53.7 million in General Fund resources.

· $30 million for higher education wraparound services, including $16 million in General Fund resources, to support services for students attending community colleges through MassEducate, and $14 million in Fair Share resources to support wraparound services for students attending state universities.

· $16 million for rural school aid support.

· $14.2 million for early college programs and $13.1 million for dual enrollment, along with $8 million for Reimagining High School to empower high school students to take college courses prior to graduation.

· $5 million to support continued implementation of the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Higher Education law, including $3 million for grants offered through the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment initiative to help high school students with intellectual disabilities aged 18–22 access higher education opportunities; and $2 million for the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Trust Fund.

· $3 million for the Genocide Education Trust Fund to continue the state’s commitment to educate middle and high school students on the history of genocide.

· $3 million for the Civics Education Trust Fund to maintain and support a statewide civic infrastructure, provide professional development to teachers, and ensure that every student can access high quality civics education.

· $1 million for Hate Crimes Prevention Grants to support education and prevention of hate crimes and incidences of bias in public schools.

Community Support

Highlighting the Senate’s longstanding commitment to a sustainable state–local partnership, this budget provides significant resources to support all Massachusetts cities and towns, ensuring that the state can meet the needs of every region, city, and town—and leave no corner of the Commonwealth behind.

The proposal includes $1.337 billion in funding for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), the primary source of direct state aid to Massachusetts towns and cities, an increase of $38.7 million over FY25. UGGA funding supports resources for municipalities as they collectively confront increased fiscal constraints at the local level.

The budget establishes a special commission to study how local aid is distributed, evaluate its effectiveness and equity, and make recommendations to maximize the equity of the distribution. In addition to traditional sources of local aid, this budget

also increases payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land to $54.5 million. PILOT funding is a source of supplemental local aid for cities and towns working to protect and improve access to essential services and programs.

To further help communities thrive, the Senate Budget proposal gives communities, not the Legislature, the final say when issuing liquor licenses for restaurants and bars.

Other local investments include:

· $214 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to support regional public transportation systems, including $120 million from Fair Share funds to maintain and continue expansions to regional bus service, sustain systemwide fare free transit service, and support RTA commuter operations.

· $116 million for local housing authorities.

· $54.5 million for payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) to cities and towns for state-owned land.

· $52.9 million for libraries, including $19.5 million for regional library local aid, $20 million for municipal libraries and $6.2 million for technology and automated resource networks.

· $29.9 million in grants to Councils on Aging, increasing assistance per elder to $16 from $15 in FY25.

· $26.2 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture, and creative economic initiatives.

The FY26 budget codifies fare-free RTA service, which will require all RTAs to eliminate passenger fares for fixed routes and ADA-required paratransit service. With this measure, the Senate continues to prioritize regional equity, support RTAs as an essential public service that connects communities, and provide a crucial connection for commuters, students, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Health, Mental Health, and Family Care

The Senate’s FY26 budget funds MassHealth at $22.41 billion, an increase of $2.34 billion over the last fiscal year. As the largest cost driver in the state’s budget, MassHealth alone accounts for 65 per cent of the total spending increase over the FY25 budget.

Amid uncertainty in Washington, this budget maintains access to comprehensive health care coverage for over 2 million Massachusetts residents. MassHealth covers affordable, accessible, and comprehensive health care services for more than 1 in 4 residents, nearly half of all children, and 7 out of every 10 nursing facility residents.

To help keep healthcare costs down, the Senate Budget proposal includes a provision which will target high cost prescription drugs and ensure that the price for the drugs do not far exceed the value.

Other health investments include:

· $3.2 billion for a range of services and focused support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including $2 billion for community residential services and $288 million for the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Community Day and Work program.

· $1.73 billion to support the Personal Care Attendant program and its historic collective bargaining agreement which raised the wage scale to $25 per hour.

· $694 million for adult support services, including $19 million to support jail diversion initiatives to better serve individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders and connect them with appropriate treatment.

· $582.1 million for nursing facility Medicaid rates, including $112 million in additional base rate payments to maintain competitive wages in the Commonwealth’s nursing facility workforce.

· $386.4 million for Department of Mental Health (DMH) hospital and community-based services, including $4.8 million to fully fund the operation of the Pocasset Mental Health Center.

· $237.7 million for Department of Public Health (DPH) hospital operations, including $31 million to fully fund and maintain operations of the Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children through the duration of FY26.

· $179.9 million for the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS), including $1.5 million in new funding to develop the state’s recovery coach workforce, which will support key initiatives from last session’s Substance Use Disorder and Recovery Coach Licensure Act.

· $132 million for children’s mental health services. · $102 million for nursing facility enhanced Medicaid rates to begin implementation of the 2024 Long-Term Care Act.

· $79.9 million for domestic violence prevention services.

· $39.3 million for Early Intervention (EI) services, maintaining necessary support and services for infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities.

· $35 million for Family Resource Centers(FRCs) to maintain mental health resources available to families.

· $26.5 million for family and adolescent health, including $11.2 million for comprehensive family planning services and $6.7 million to enhance federal Title X family planning funding.

· $22.6 million for school-based health programming and services.

$20 million to recapitalize the Behavioral Health, Access, Outreach and Support Trust Fund to support targeted behavioral health initiatives.

· $14.3 million for suicide prevention and intervention, with an additional $1.8 million for Samaritans Inc. and $1.1 million for the Call2Talk suicide prevention hotline. This investment protects and fully funds 9-8-8, the 24/7 suicide and crisis lifeline.

· $14.7 million for maternal and child health, including $10.8 million for pediatric palliative care services for terminally ill children and a policy adjustment to ensure that children up to age 22 can continue to be served through the program.

· $12.7 million for Meals on Wheels and other nutrition programs for seniors.

· $6 million for Social Emotional Learning (SEL) grants to bolster social emotional learning support for K-12 students.

· $5.5 million for children advocacy centers to maintain critical support available to children that have been neglected or sexually abused.

· $5 million for workforce support for community health centers, including loan forgiveness.

· $5.2 million for the Office of the Child Advocate.

· $3.8 million for the Massachusetts Center on Child Wellbeing and Trauma.

· $2.5 million for veterans’ mental and behavioral health services through the Home Base program.

· $2 million for grants for improvements in reproductive health access, infrastructure, and safety.

Expanding and Protecting Opportunities

The Senate is committed to expanding opportunity and supporting the state’s most vulnerable residents. This budget therefore maintains the annual child’s clothing allowance, providing $500 per child for eligible families to buy clothes for the upcoming school year. The budget also fully annualizes the FY25 10 per cent increase to Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) benefit levels to help families move out of deep poverty. Additionally, an amendment adopted during debate ensures that pregnant women can access TAFDC, regardless of where they are in their pregnancy.

In addition, the Senate’s budget dedicates $82 million to support food security and child nutrition initiatives, including $42 million for Emergency Food Assistance to assist residents in navigating the historical levels of food insecurity, and $25.4 million for the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) to ensure access to healthy food options.

Economic opportunity investments include:

· $467 million for Transitional Assistance to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and $209 million for Emergency Aid to Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) to provide the necessary support as caseloads increase, which annualizes the deep poverty increases implemented in the FY25 budget.

· $142.9 million for DTA caseworkers to protect access to crucial financial assistance, food support, and employment and training programs for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.

· $59.4 million for adult basic education services to improve access to skills necessary to join the workforce.

· $42 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program.

· $25.4 million for the Healthy Incentives Program to support healthy food access for households in need.

· $20.6 million for employment services programs to help people with lower incomes move toward economic independence through pathways of self-sufficiency.

· $15.5 million for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.

· $9.2 million for career technical institutes to increase the state’s skilled worker population and provide residents with access to career technical training opportunities, which will combine with $12.3 million in remaining American Rescue Plan funding for the program.

· $5 million for the Secure Jobs Connect Program, providing job placement resources and assistance for homeless individuals.

· $4.8 million for the Innovation Pathways program to continue to connect students to training and post-secondary opportunities with a focus on STEM fields.

· $1 million for employment programs for young adults with disabilities.

Housing

As the state envisions a more fiscally sustainable path for its future, increasing affordable housing opportunities and addressing housing challenges remain at the forefront of the Senate’s agenda. This budget therefore invests more than $1.16 billion in housing initiatives, dedicating resources for housing stability, residential assistance, emergency shelter services, and homelessness assistance programs. The Senate’s FY26 budget deploys a humane, responsible, and sustainable approach to support families and individuals in need with affordable, safe, and secure housing options.

Housing investments include:

· $253 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP).

· $116 million for local housing authorities.

· $110.7 million for assistance for homeless individual shelters.

· $57.3 million for the HomeBASE program to support sustainable exits from shelter.

· $27.7 million for homeless program administration to move people from the Emergency Assistance shelter system.

· $19.5 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP), providing rental assistance to people with disabilities.

· $15.8 million for the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

· $10.5 million for assistance for unaccompanied homeless youth.

· $10 million for sponsor-based supportive permanent housing to support 16 new housing units and case management services for vulnerable individuals.

· $8.9 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including funding to support homeless LGBTQ youth.

· $6.5 million in continued support for resident service coordinators to help residents maintain stable tenancies at local housing authorities, which are required to provide households with the services they need.

In addition to these investments in housing, the Committee’s budget includes a provision—on which the Senate has consistently led—requiring that residential rental broker’s fees must be paid by the contracting agent, often the landlord of an apartment, ensuring that renters are not burdened with unexpected and extraordinary costs. The Senate first passed this proposal last session.

During debate, the Senate approved an amendment exploring opportunities to remove the sales tax for multifamily housing construction projects.

With both chambers of the Legislature having approved different versions of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, they will now reconcile their versions before sending a final FY26 budget to the Governor for her signature.

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Hello everyone,

As we headed into Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this meaningful occasion. While many may see this weekend as a start to summer, filled with barbeques and family gatherings, we can never forget the true purpose of this sacred day- to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while bravely serving our nation.  May we live a life worthy of their sacrifice.

This week was a busy one at the State House as the Senate debated our Fiscal Year 2026 budget. I am proud to share that I was able to secure thousands of dollars in funding for our district to help support our municipalities and local organizations. Additionally, I am thrilled that several amendments I put forward were also adopted by the Senate that would improve mental health services for our young people and remove archaic laws from the books that negatively impact our Gold Star Spouses.

On Wednesday I was thrilled to have been able to connect with constituents from Meghan’s Light on their annual advocacy day at the State House to raise awareness around Cystic Fibrosis. For those who may not be familiar, Cystic Fibrosis is a progressive, genetic disease that affects the lungs, pancreas, and other organs. Meghan’s Light was founded in 2016 to honor the life and legacy of Meghan Hukowicz Zoll by supporting patients living with Cystic Fibrosis and to help find a cure! I am grateful for all the incredible work they are doing in our local community!

In the middle of budget debates, I joined the Executive Office of Veterans Services at the first annual Military Appreciation Day ceremony! This event celebrates, honors, and recognizes the contributions of those in our military community from across the state. I was particularly thrilled to nominate Ruth Kennedy of Russell to be honored at this special event for all that she does to honor other local veterans. Specifically, Ruth has helped organize and grow the Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies since she moved to town. Thank you for all that you do in our community and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Ruth!

This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Easthampton and Holyoke. Next week Team Velis will be hosting office hours on Tuesday at the Russell Council on Aging from 11:30am to 12:30pm and again on Wednesday at the Southampton Council on Aging from 9:30am to 10:30am. If you are unable to make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Best,    

John Velis  

(Boston- 5/20/2025) Today the Massachusetts State Senate adopted an amendment put forth by Senator John C. Velis to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget to fund the creation of trainings for mental health clinicians and counselors to treat victims of hate and bias. Velis, who currently serves as the Co-Chair of the Special Commission on Combating Antisemitism, spoke from the Senate floor about the importance of these mental health trainings with different forms of hate on the rise in the Commonwealth. 

The amendment, which was adopted Tuesday afternoon, would provide funding to the Department of Public Health to create a competitive grant program for the development of specialized trauma trainings to be provided to mental health clinicians and counselors to help treat victims of hate and bias. The amendment specifies that each training will be unique to different forms of hate or bias impacting the Commonwealth, rather than a one size fits all approach. 

“It has become evident in talking with victims of hate who have come forward to the Commission, including children, that there is a real gap when it comes to providers who are trained to understand, address, and treat these unique forms of trauma,” shared Senator Velis, who also serves as the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery. “Hate manifests in different ways for different groups, and it is essential that clinicians have access to trainings that are culturally sensitive and consider the historical prejudice the group has face.” 

The latest Hate Crimes Report from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security found that hate crimes rose to 557 incidents in 2023, up 26% from 2022 and a drastic spike compared to 2018’s total of 351 incidents. Specifically, the report found that there were drastic spikes targeting the Jewish, LGBTQ, and Arabic communities. 

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Hello,

I hope everyone had a great week! It was quite another busy one for Team Velis and I with all the activities happening across our district and as we prepare for next week’s debate of the Senate’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

This week I had the opportunity to visit Holyoke Community College’s excellent Culinary Arts Program with Representative Duffy. It was great to learn about all of the new programs available for students as well as some future initiatives they are interested in starting. Specifically, I was thrilled to learn about how they hope to utilize classroom experiences to support those in our community who might be experiencing food insecurity.

On Wednesday my office and I bid farewell to our all-star spring interns, Aiden and Andrew. Throughout the spring semester Team Velis and I have been lucky enough to have their help with conducting policy research, assisting constituents, monitoring the news, & attending events here in the district & out in Boston. I am so grateful for their great work this spring and can’t wait to see what their futures hold!

In between budget meetings I was able to make it over to two great celebrations on Thursday! First I joined the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club in celebrating the Club’s 2025 Youth of the Year, Thu Zar Win, with an official Senate citation. Over the past few years, Thu Zar has done a tremendous job mentoring younger Club kids with compassion. Later that evening I made my way over to the Amelia Park Arena to help celebrate their 25^th Anniversary. Whether it’s dropping the puck for a game or hitting the ice myself for a charity sled-hockey game, there is always something positive going on at the arena. Beyond what is happening on the ice, Amelia Park Arena is a tremendous community partner that is constantly working to support other local organizations!

This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Westfield, Chicopee, and West Springfield. Next week Team Velis will be hosting office hours on Tuesday at the Easthampton Council on Aging from 10:30am to 11:30am and on Wednesday at the Holyoke Council on Aging from 10:00am to 11:00am. If you are unable to make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Best,    

John Velis  

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone had a great week! The first full week of May marks Teacher Appreciation Week in the Commonwealth. Each day our teachers are going above and beyond to not only help our students gain the knowledge they need to succeed but are often finding ways to help support our children’s overall well-being. Thank you to all our incredible educators for the work that you do!

I kicked off this week out in Boston as the Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism held it’s seventh meeting. During this meeting we had the opportunity to learn more about how those in law enforcement respond and combat reported antisemitism. We were lucky enough to hear from experts about the Commonwealth’s existing hate crimes statue, safety and security, and the threat of extremism. I want to be clear; we will not hesitate to follow and confront antisemitism wherever it rears its vile and repugnant head regardless of the political ideology of the author of such hatred.

Team Velis and I had a busy week with the Senate releasing its proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget on Tuesday. For the last several days my team and I have been diligently working through the proposed budget and drafting amendments to support local organizations within our district prior to Friday’s deadline.

Of the many different items within the budget, I was absolutely thrilled that the Senate balanced fiscal responsibility without including any proposals that would raise taxes during this particularly challenging time. From the beginning of this legislative session, I have been clear with my colleagues that my guiding north star centers around affordability especially as so many residents struggle financially with rising costs. Additionally, I was proud that the Senate included funding to help ensure the Cutchins Program in Belchertown can continue to provide compassionate care for children with severe emotional or behavioral challenges. I am incredibly grateful to the Chairman and all of my colleagues who help organize this thoughtful and responsible proposed budget.

This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Agawam. Next week Team Velis be hosting office hours on Monday at the Westfield Council on Aging from 12:30PM to 1:30PM, on Tuesday at the Chicopee Council on Aging from 10:00AM to 11:00AM, and again on Wednesday at the West Springfield Council on Aging from 11:00AM to 12:00PM. If you are unable to make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the incredible Moms and Moms-to-be out there! I hope you all have a wonderful day tomorrow! 

Best,    

John Velis  

‘Fair Share’ dollars would be sent to shovel-ready projects around Massachusetts

(BOSTON—5/8/2025) The Massachusetts Senate today passed a $1.33 billion plan to invest in public education and transportation across the Commonwealth. The Senate’s bill directs funding to expand career and technical education opportunities, bolster construction projects at local schools and college campuses, and support public transit, road and bridge funding for city and town governments.

The bill, S.2512, prioritizes regional equity by providing support statewide for K-12 school district special education programs, rural roads and bridges, capital improvements for public bus transportation, and infrastructure upgrades at Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities.

The overwhelming success of the Fair Share amendment to the Constitution—voted for by residents in 2022—generated more than $1 billion over initial projections in fiscal years 2023 and 2024. This legislation contains restricted one-time investments in public education and transportation initiatives and primarily uses funds from that surtax, which is paid by households in Massachusetts earning more than $1 million per year. The Senate will debate its annual general budget later in the month.

“This bill answers the clear message that our residents sent us in 2022—to invest these dollars across the state to continue building the high-quality education and transportation systems Massachusetts deserves,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D–Ashland). “At a time of economic uncertainty, we are committed to supporting our schools and making sure that residents can travel safely, and these Fair Share funds allow us to do that. I am deeply grateful for the hard work of Chair Rodrigues and the Senate Ways & Means Committee for putting this bill together, and to each Senator for contributing their ideas and support.”

“I’m pleased the Senate has passed this Fair Share supplemental budget, prioritizing regional equity while also maintaining fiscal integrity during these highly uncertain times,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-Westport) Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “By utilizing almost $1.3 billion in one-time surplus surtax revenues, the proposal strengthens the Commonwealth’s economic foundation by making meaningful investments in education and transportation. This budget plan reaffirms the Senate’s strong commitment to educational excellence, provides significant resources for special education, and makes substantial investments in our transportation infrastructure. It goes above and beyond to give everyone a ‘fair share’.”

“Amid waves of uncertainty at the national level and devastating federal cuts, the Massachusetts Senate answered the call of residents to use surplus Fair Share Amendment funds to invest equitably in education and transportation across the Commonwealth,” said Senate Ways and Means Vice Chair Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “The Senate bill passed today will provide transportation solutions for small, rural towns, will begin addressing the debilitating backlog of deferred maintenance on public higher education campuses, will provide meaningful help to school budgets pushed to the breaking point, and more. Thank you to Senate President Karen Spilka and Senate Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues for leading the Senate to live our shared commitment to regional equity.”

“The quality of our nation-leading public education system and public transportation infrastructure often define who we are as a Commonwealth,” said Senator Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough), Assistant Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “I am proud that this supplemental budget represents a balanced, smart, forward thinking and common-sense approach that directly infuses funds into these consequential sectors to help address residents’ most pressing needs amidst economic uncertainty and pinching budgets. I am grateful to Chairman Rodrigues and Vice-Chair Comerford for their thoughtfulness and collaborative approach in crafting this bill, and to Senate President Spilka for her continued leadership on our Commonwealth’s priorities and shared values.”

“Our transportation system impacts nearly every part of our lives, from housing costs to economic mobility to climate change,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Transportation Committee. “This legislation secures funding to support infrastructure upgrades to the MBTA, capital investments in our regional transit, and improvements to our local bridges, roads, and culverts. Through these various initiatives, residents of the Commonwealth will experience safer, more reliable and more efficient travel.”

“These Fair Share dollars will provide critical support to municipalities struggling with growing education expenses by increasing state reimbursements for rising special education costs, providing additional financial relief for local school building projects, and investing in literacy and English-Language Learning programs,” said Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “I am proud to have been the lead Senate sponsor of the Fair Share Amendment. With this revenue from the state’s highest earners, we can continue to invest in the high-quality schools and innovative transportation projects that help make Massachusetts a top-ranking state to live in and raise a family.”

Education

Education investments in the supplemental budget include funding for:

· Special Education Costs. $248 million, including circuit breaker reimbursements to local school districts.

· Public Higher Education Deferred Maintenance. $190 million for higher education overall, including $10 million for lab resources for community colleges following the success of MassEducate.

· Career Technical Education Capital Grants. $100 million to expand capacity and accommodate additional career technical education opportunities.

· Local School Construction Relief. $50 million to support cities, towns and school districts experiencing extraordinary school construction increases due to inflation or the impacts of tariffs.

· Literacy Growth. $25 million to support accelerated literacy growth for students in kindergarten through grade 3.

· English Language Learning Programs. $10 million for educational grants to reduce the waitlist for services for speakers of languages other than English to learn English and subsequently help fill in-demand jobs.

Transportation

Transportation investments in the supplemental budget include funding for:

· MBTA Improvements and Infrastructure Upgrades. $370 million for improvements and infrastructure upgrades across the MBTA system, comprising:

o $200 million to replenish the MBTA budget reserve after the MBTA’s recent use of reserve funds for operations support.

o $100 million in workforce and safety training to implement Federal Transit Administration improvement recommendations.

o $50 million for commuter rail system maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.

o $20 million for the MBTA’s low-income fare relief program.

· Local Road Improvements. $190 million for shovel-ready transportation improvements to roads, bridges, and culverts.

· Regional Equity in Transportation. $105 million for regional transit initiatives composed of:

o $50 million for capital improvements to equipment and facilities at Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) that serve and connect all regions of the Commonwealth.

o $25 million for RTA workforce recruitment and retention improvement efforts.

o $20 million for ferry infrastructure improvements.

o $10 million for on-demand micro-transit shuttles and Last Mile grants to foster an innovative multimodal transit system.

· World Cup Preparations. $5 million for transportation improvements associated with the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

Amendments

During debate on the Senate floor, members from around the state contributed to the initial proposal with amendments reflecting their priorities and district needs. Notable amendments adopted during the debate include:

· Amendment 128 from Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn). Sets aside funds for assistive reading technologies so local school districts can purchase resources such as audio books and voice-text format books to bolster struggling readers in Massachusetts, including children with vision impairments, learning disabilities, or physical disabilities.

· Amendment 213 from Senator Nick Collins (D-South Boston). Supports nurses by allocating funds toward expansion of the facilities at UMass Boston’s Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the ninth largest nursing school in the country that offers several undergraduate and graduate degree programs; also directs UMass Boston to study the feasibility of establishing a satellite campus at the site of Carney Hospital in Dorchester.

· Amendment 106 from Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). Directs funds for ferry services including pier and dock maintenance serving passengers between the South Coast, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.

· Amendment 223 from Senator Lydia Edwards (D-East Boston). Directs funds toward planning and construction of a ferry dock in the East Boston Designated Port Area, along with money for ferry terminal capital improvements in Winthrop.

· Amendment 15 from Senator John Keenan (D-Quincy). Edits the language regarding the bill’s supplemental grant program, which helps school districts deal with skyrocketing material costs for school building projects due to inflation, to also include projects with material cost increases due to tariffs.

A comprehensive fact sheet detailing the investments proposed by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, including further investments and funding sources, is available in the Senate’s press room. Video of debate is publicly available on the Senate website for viewing, as is the full list of investments approved by the Senate.

Different versions having passed both chambers of the Legislature, the branches will now move to resolve their differences before sending a compromise bill to the Governor for her signature.

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Hello Everyone, 

I hope you all had a great week! As a reminder beginning May 7th the federal government will require all adult passengers to provide a REAL ID compliant document to fly domestically. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need any assistance with scheduling an appointment with the RMV to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license.   

May is always a busy month around our district and up on Beacon Hill however, it is also Mental Health Awareness Month! As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, I firmly believe that caring for your mental health is just as important as caring for your physical health. All throughout this month I will be highlighting various mental health resources, programs, and legislative activity over on my social media channels. Talking about mental health is crucial to push back on stigma and make it easier for folks to seek help. 

On Wednesday while at the State House I had the pleasure of running into a number of familiar faces from throughout the Pioneer Valley at the Springfield Regional Chamber’s annual Beacon Hill Summit. I am so grateful to the Chamber’s President, Diana Szynal, for allowing me to join Chamber members for an informal conversation on a variety of topics during their lunch hour.   

I kicked off Thursday over at West Springfield High School to join Mrs. Coverdill’s Spanish 4 class. Over the past month these students have been hard at work researching and writing their own candidacy platforms to run for office. I was thrilled to be able to share with the students some of the tips and tricks that I use when going before a crowd to speak. Public speaking can be a daunting, especially when delivering it in a language you are learning, however these students truly hit their speeches out of the park!  

Speaking of hitting it out of the park, I am gearing up this morning to join Westfield Little League for their annual parade and first-pitch to kick off the spring baseball season. Wishing all our little league and spring sports athletics a successful season. Now let’s “play ball”! 

This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Westfield and Southampton. Next week Team Velis be hosting office hours on Monday at the Agawam Council on Aging from 11:00AM to 12:00PM. If you are unable to make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Best,    

John Velis  

Hello everyone,

I hope all of our local students and educators were able to enjoy their April school vacation, you all truly lucked out this week with all the great weather!

I was absolutely thrilled to attend Tuesday’s ribbon cutting celebration of the Westfield Peer Recovery Center! This truly special space will be opening its doors on May 5th to help support those in our community seeking assistance navigating their recovery journey. A huge thank you to the City of Westfield and the Gandara Center for all their work to create this new community resource to help change and save lives!

Later that day I made my way over to Westfield State’s campus to meet with the Student Government Association. Every year I look forward to this opportunity to update student leaders about all the work that is going on up on Beacon Hill. I have no doubt that many of these students will go on to be incredible leaders in our community and I hope to see them in the halls of our State House soon!

Sadly, a new report was released this week from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of New England which found that Massachusetts continues to outpace the majority of states in the number of reported antisemitic incidents. For many of us on the Commission, and especially for Jewish residents across the Commonwealth, this report did not come as a complete shock. It is just truly so sickening to me that Massachusetts continues to be one of the five states that collectively makes up more than 50% of antisemitic acts of hate in our entire nation.  For the Commission, the work ahead of us is clear; Massachusetts must do better to root out hate, wherever it rears its head.

On Thursday I had the opportunity to join some of my colleagues from Central Massachusetts for a tour of Independence Hall in Shrewsbury. Independence Hall is a specialized recovery center to support veterans and their family members impacted by addiction. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see first-hand the comprehensive, compassionate, and holistic care that they are providing to our Veterans that may be struggling.

This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Russell. Next week we will be hosting office hours on Monday at the Westfield Council on Aging from 12:30pm to 1:30pm and again on Wednesday at the Southampton Council on Aging from 9:30am to 10:30am. If you are unable to make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.  

Best,   

John Velis 

Hello everyone,  

I hope you all had a great week! As a reminder beginning May 7th the federal government will require all adult passengers to provide a REAL ID compliant document to fly within the U.S. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office if you need any assistance with scheduling an appointment with the RMV to obtain a REAL ID driver’s license. 

I kicked off this week over in West Side where I joined my friend Mayor Reichelt for a conversation on his podcast, The Town Agenda. Together we dived into my role as a State Senator to advance West Springfield and Western Massachusetts’s priorities, my work with the Commission to Combat Antisemitism, and the importance of collaboration across the aisle. I am incredibly grateful to the mayor for inviting me on the show! 

On Tuesday, my House Co-Chair, State Representative Mindy Domb, and I had the opportunity to visit the Cutchins Program in Belchertown to see firsthand the compassionate care that children from throughout the state receive there. Cutchins offers children with severe emotional and behavioral challenges a safe, nurturing, and truly healing experience. Unfortunately, despite being the Commonwealth’s only clinically intensive residential treatment program for children ages 6-12, Cutchins faces a potential closure if the proposed FY’26 DMH cuts are not reversed. Later in the week, I hosted a briefing at the State House to break down the variety of essential DMH programs and services, like the ones offered at Cutchins, that face cuts and rally support among my colleagues to restore this essential funding. 

In addition to the briefing I held on Thursday regarding the DMH cuts, which brought together an impressive number of advocates and legislators, I also hosted a National Guard Caucus meeting with the Adjutant General of Massachusetts. During the Caucus meeting we discussed all the important bills filed this session that will improve the lives of the men and women serving in our National Guard and other important initiatives surrounding the F-35 basing decision at Barnes.  

This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Easthampton and Holyoke. Next week Team Velis will be hosting office hours on Tuesday at the Russell Council on Aging from 11:30am to 12:30pm.  If you are unable to make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.   

Wishing all our students and local educators a safe and restful April vacation this week! 

Best,   

John Velis