Yesterday marked National Vietnam War Veterans’ Day, a day where we honor and remember our Vietnam Veterans, those still Missing in Action, and their families. To all those who served in Vietnam thank you for your service and Welcome Home!
Monday morning, I started off my week with the dedication of US Route 20 as a National Medal of Honor Highway in West Springfield. Historic route 20 is the longest continuous highway in the United States and stretches all the way from Oregon to Massachusetts. Recently it has been designated as the Medal of Honor highway to serve as a permanent tribute to those who have served in our Armed Forces and distinguished themselves with acts of valor. I was proud to have introduced the legislation, which has since been signed into law, that made Massachusetts the final piece in the nationwide chain of the Medal of Honor Highway designations.
Later that day, I was able to tour the ARTery with Holyoke Art Inc and Representative Duffy. This non-profit does great work to support local cultural and arts programming right here in the Paper City. I encourage you to pop to see all of the incredible artwork on display made by local artists.
On Tuesday, I was able to go for a ride along with the West Springfield Fire Department to learn how I can best support our first responders’ and the work that they do to keep our communities safe. This amazing group of hard-working public servants work tirelessly, and I would like to thank them for allowing me to come along and see what their day to day is like.
I had the honor of presiding over a mock trial for Easthampton High School’s “We the Team People” team while they were visiting the State House on Thursday. This course focuses on American civics and the origins and philosophies of how our government was created. Teams from throughout the state and nation compete against each other in mock congressional hearings to test their knowledge on our government and nation’s founding. For yet another year, the EHS team has won the Massachusetts State Championship and will be moving onto the National competition. As veteran, lawyer, and lawmaker, I believe these topics and their debate is an essential part of American education and I was thrilled to have been asked to assist them in preparation for the National Competition. Best of luck to the Easthampton Eagles!
This week my office hosted office hours at the Westfield COA on Monday and at the Southampton COA on Wednesday. Next week, we will be at the Agawam COA on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you can’t 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.
Legislation would require public database of safety violations
BOSTON (3/28/2024)—Today the Senate unanimously passed legislation to boost safety for people conducting “hot work”—welding, plasma cutting, and spark-producing construction—by requiring the state to create a public database of violations of the fire prevention statute, and a public notification system to alert workers of violations.
The passage of S.1485—An Act relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes—comes in the days following the ten year anniversary of the tragic nine alarm fire in the Back Bay, started by welders working on a nearby iron railing, that resulted in the deaths of two Boston firefighters.
The Senate bill would work to prevent such tragedies by promoting transparency and prioritizing safety for Massachusetts firefighters.
“This legislation isn’t just a precaution—it is a commitment to the wellbeing and protection of our first responders and residents. Our firefighters, and anyone whose job includes hot work, should have confidence in the safety of their workplace, and know that they are protected from a tragic situation like the one that took the lives of Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy far too soon. I’m thankful to Senator Collins for his work on this bill, and to Chairs Rodrigues and Timilty for shepherding it through their committees. I very much hope to see the measure signed into law,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).
“With a proliferation of commercial and residential development projects ongoing all around the Commonwealth, it’s paramount to ensure that all safety measures are taken in strict compliance with state fire code. We can never be safe enough, and I’m heartened that this no-cost legislation will enable the Department of Fire Services, in coordination with the Department of Occupational Licensure, to document and punish code violators, where every day working men and women’s lives are literally on the line,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“The heartbreaking loss of life in the 2014 Back Bay fire is a constant reminder of the importance of firefighter safety. As the Senate Chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, I am honored to have shepherded this crucial bill through the committee,” said Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “Today, the Senate’s action represents an important step forward in ensuring that our remarkable firefighters have the resources that they need to keep themselves safe and protect our communities.”
“This legislation represents historic regulatory reforms that the Walsh-Kennedy Commission helped institute across the hot works and welding industry in Massachusetts. Passing this legislation will ensure that the critical reforms, training, oversight, and accountability needed to prevent tragedies like the Back Bay fire, will be the law of the land. We do this in honor law of Boston Fire Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy so that their sacrifices are not in vain,” said Senator Nick Collins (D-Boston), primary sponsor of the bill.
Having been passed by the Senate, the bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Debt Collection Fairness Act would protect wages and reduce exorbitant interest charges
BOSTON (3/28/2024)—Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to protect consumers and help keep people from being pushed into financial ruin if they are sued for financial debt. The new law would make debt collection practices fairer, protect wages, and make clear that no person can go to prison for their debt.
The Debt Collection Fairness Act— S.2713—would protect thousands of families across the state, including many in communities of color, by reducing the interest rate from 12% to 3% on judgments on consumer debt, which is often old debt that has been bought by debt collection companies for pennies on the dollar.
It would also protect at least $975 in wages per week from a person subject to wage garnishment because of a debt and ensure that no one in the Commonwealth is imprisoned for failure to pay a consumer debt. Currently only $750 per week in wages is protected from garnishment. The bill would also reduce, from 6 years to 5 years, the time in which a company can bring suit to collect a consumer debt.
“Families already in the grips of debt should not have to choose between putting food on their table and paying exorbitant costs charged by debt collection companies, or fear imprisonment,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It is a story we hear too often, and far too often in our communities of color. An equitable Commonwealth is one where we have people’s backs—I’m proud that the Senate took action today to do just that, and thankful to Chair Rodrigues, Chair Feeney, and Senator Eldridge for their work.”
“In an unsettled economy, the last thing we need is unsavory debt collectors preying upon our most vulnerable population, making it difficult, if not impossible for working families to emerge from financial distress. I’m pleased the Senate has made updating archaic consumer protections laws and instilling fairness in our debt collection practices a priority in this session. With growing increases in technology, we must stay abreast of debt collection companies who remain mired in the onerous debt collection practices of the past, which are no longer relevant,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
“In Massachusetts, no family should have to choose between putting food on the table or making a minimum payment on a ballooning debt,” said Senator Paul Feeney, (D-Foxborough), Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. “Debt collection practices can, at times, be predatory, unlawful, and designed to squeeze every dime out of middle-class and low-income families, especially with the added burden of accumulating interest and additional fees that are designed to push families over a financial cliff. The Debt Collection Fairness Act will not eliminate debt or an obligation to pay, but it will add needed guardrails to protect hard-working families from financial ruin, give a lifeline to those caught in a debt spiral, and help deliver hope to those in a vicious cycle. I thank Senator Jamie Eldridge for his advocacy, the many stakeholders and advocates who brought this bill forward, and the leadership of Chairman Michael Rodrigues and Senate President Karen Spilka for prioritizing and championing this matter in the Massachusetts State Senate.”
“I am excited that the Debt Collection Fairness Act has been passed by the Senate and I’m grateful to the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Financial Services Paul Feeney for his tremendous advocacy for this important consumer protection bill,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), primary sponsor of the bill. “This bill aims to implement stricter regulations on debt collectors in order to prevent financial mistreatment of Massachusetts residents. It seeks to safeguard consumers’ economic security during debt repayment, prohibit excessively high interest rates, and eliminate the possibility of consumers being sent to ‘debtor’s prison’ when facing legal action. The Debt Collection Fairness Act is a critical consumer protection bill, and I’m grateful to Senate President Spilka and Senate Ways and Means Chairman Rodrigues for their support.”
This is the third time a version of the bill has passed the Senate. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
(BOSTON – 3/21/2024) Today the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed legislation to criminalize the dissemination of sexually explicit material without the subject’s consent, becoming the 49th state in the nation to ban revenge porn. The legislation passed by the Senate includes measures from legislation sponsored by Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield).
“I have heard from victims throughout the Commonwealth about the ways that their lives have been absolutely torn apart by these despicable acts and it is absolutely devastating that they have not had the ability to pursue justice. I am grateful to the Senate President and my colleagues for overwhelmingly supporting this legislation and I am hopeful that this legislation will finally make it across the finish line to the Governor’s desk to close this glaring loophole once and for all,” said Senator Velis. “The important and thoughtful measures included in today’s bill not only bring Massachusetts in line with other states but go beyond that to respond to evolving repercussions of the digital age.”
The legislation would make it a criminal offense to knowingly distribute sexually explicit visual materials, including computer-generated images, of another person without their consent. Often, explicit images are used by abusers to intimidate and injure the depicted person emotionally or financially. Those who are found guilty could face up to 2 ½ years in a House of Corrections for their first offense and a fine up to $10,000.
This bill would also update the definition of “abuse” to include “coercive control” so that nonphysical forms of abuse, such as emotional, financial, and technological, by a family or household member would be eligible for abuse prevention orders.
Additionally, this legislation would address teen sexting by creating an educational diversion program specifically for minors who share sexually explicit images of themselves or their peers to provide information about the legal and non-legal consequences of sexting. Currently, minors that share these images are automatically subject to child pornography charges and may be required to register as a sex offender if found guilty.
Other provisions of the legislation include:
The impoundment of visual materials in court proceedings.
Instructing the Child Advocates Office, in consultation with the Attorney General, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Division of Youth Services, the Committee for Public Counsel Services, and the Massachusetts District Attorney’s Association, to create curriculum for a division program on the harms of sexting that will also be made available for school districts.
A version of the explicit image bill having already been passed in the House; it must now be reconciled by the branches.
I hope you all were able to enjoy the many St. Patrick’s Day festivities over this past month. I was proud to have marched in the Holyoke Parade last weekend alongside my fellow elected officials from the Paper City. I’m already looking forward to next year’s celebrations!
Speaking of Holyoke, I’m proud to announce that the City was awarded over $89,000 in funds from the Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act Grant. This money will go a long way to make the City of Holyoke a more accessible place for people of all abilities.
To start off the week I was proud to join Senator Mark at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Your Six Recovery program at Swift River Recovery in Cummington. In addition to all the services provided by Swift River, this new program, “Your Six”, specializes in supporting those who have served in the Armed Forces that are struggling with a substance use disorder. The experiences veterans endure while serving our nation are so often a contributing factor to these struggles and a recovery program that specializes in their care will go a long way in helping our veterans get the treatment they need. In addition to this important celebration, my team attended the grand re-opening of Holiday Quail Run Estates in Agawam. This newly renovated facility allows seniors to live independently while receiving the care that that they need.
This week while at the State House I had the opportunity to meet with several medical students currently beginning their careers with Baystate Medical Center. It was great to hear from them all that they are learning and the incredible job that Baystate Health does to equip them with skills to support their patients’ mental health. On Friday, I joined Baystate Health for their annual legislative lunch where I was able to commend them for their program and learn more about the ways I can help support their work.
This week my office hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday. Next week, we will be at the Westfield COA on Monday from 11:30am to 12:30pm and at the Southampton COA on Wednesday from 9:30am to 11:30am. If you can’t 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.
EARLY ED Act would expand accessible, affordable, and high-quality care across the state
BOSTON (3/15/2024)—Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to make early education and care more accessible and affordable for families across Massachusetts.
The EARLY ED Act—An Act ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development—takes transformative steps to improve the affordability and sustainability of childcare programs by making the state’s Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operational grant program permanent, expanding eligibility for the state’s subsidy program and capping subsidy recipients’ childcare costs at 7 per cent of family income, and boosting compensation for educators by creating a career ladder and providing scholarships and loan forgiveness.
“An equitable and competitive Commonwealth is one in which every child and family has access to affordable quality early education,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “At the same time, we must recognize the incredible work of the providers who are shaping the minds and hearts of our earliest learners. Today I’m proud that the Massachusetts Senate is once again taking action to lower costs for families, open up more opportunities for children, increase pay for our early educators, and make support for providers permanent so they can keep their doors open and thrive for years to come. I extend my thanks to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Lewis for their diligent work, all of my Senate colleagues for their support, and the many, many people who have advocated for early education and care.”
“As a parent to a little one myself, I was proud to support this legislation which makes key investments to expand access to affordable childcare for working families and support the development of young children in the Commonwealth,” shared Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “I am extremely thankful for the Senate President’s leadership and for my colleagues work on this important issue. From lowering costs for families, to increasing the pay for providers, and supporting the professionalization of this dedicated workforce- there is so much that this bill will do to support children during these fundamental years and drive economic development all across our state.”
State Sen. John Velis, state Early Education Commissioner Amy Kershaw, Gov. Maura Healey and Westfield Mayor Michael McCabe meet with preschoolers in February 2024, accompanied by Nicole Cava, program director and Rebecca King, education specialist for Roots Learning Center at left. Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
“Access to high-quality, affordable early education and childcare is essential for the healthy development of young children, as well as for the economic well-being of working families and employers in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “With the passage today of the EARLY ED Act, Massachusetts is demonstrating national leadership in addressing the broken early education and childcare system in our country. I’m very grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka for her passionate leadership on this issue; the Common Start coalition for their years-long advocacy to build grassroots momentum; and all the early education providers, educators, parents, and advocates who have shared their struggles, ideas, and expertise throughout the process of developing this transformative legislation.”
By extending access to high-quality education and care to families who currently lack access because of cost or availability, the bill seeks to set children up for future success and drive the Massachusetts economy forward.
The bill would make the state’s C3 grants permanent, which provides monthly payments directly to early education and care providers. The grants, which provide monthly payments to more than 92 per cent of early education and care programs across the Commonwealth, have become a national model thanks to their success at keeping programs’ doors open during the pandemic, reducing tuition costs for families, increasing compensation for early educators, and expanding the number of childcare slots available.
The legislation improves affordability by expanding eligibility for childcare subsidies to families making up to 85 per cent of the state median income (SMI), which is $124,000 for a family of four. It eliminates cost-sharing fees for families receiving subsidies who are below the federal poverty line, and caps cost-sharing fees for all other families receiving subsidies at seven percent of their income, putting millions of dollars back into families’ pockets. Finally, the bill paves the way for expanding the subsidy program to families making up to 125 per cent SMI, or $182,000 for a family of four, when future funds become available.
The legislation provides much-needed support for educators by directing the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to establish a career ladder with recommended salaries. This career ladder will help increase salaries in this historically underpaid field. The bill would also make scholarship and loan forgiveness programs for early educators permanent, as well as direct the state to explore more innovative ways to develop this crucial workforce.
Notably, the bill would also create an innovative public-private matching grant pilot program, which would incentivize employers to invest in new early education and care slots, with priority given to projects serving families with lower income and those who are located in childcare deserts. In addition, the bill tasks the Administration with completing a study to further analyze ways to incentivize or require employers to partner with the state to expand access to high-quality and affordable early education and care.
The bill also includes provisions that would:
Ensure that early education and care programs serving children with subsidies are reimbursed based on enrollment, rather than attendance, to provide financial stability to programs.
Require the cost-sharing fee scale for families participating in the childcare subsidy program to be updated every five years to ensure affordability for families.
Establish a pilot program to expand access to shared-service hubs, which would support smaller early education and care programs.
Increase the maximum number of children that can be served by fully-staffed large family childcare programs, aligning with states such as New York, California, Illinois, and Maryland.
Bar zoning ordinances from prohibiting family childcare programs in certain areas, preventing an unnecessary hurdle to the expansion of childcare slots.
Having been passed by the Senate, the legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
This week, and over the past few months, I have been traveling to celebrations all across our district to recognize our community’s deep Irish Heritage and the contribution of Irish Americans to Western Massachusetts in anticipation this weekend’s holiday. As we all get ready to enjoy tomorrow’s parade in Holyoke, I want to thank all of the countless parade volunteers and committee members who have worked tirelessly to make all these events and the Parade possible!
Earlier this week my team presented citations to the Holyoke and Chicopee Colleens Courts during the annual visit to Holyoke Medical Center. On Thursday I enjoyed helping serve a traditional boiled dinner over at the West Springfield Council on Aging for their St. Patrick’s Day Lunch. Yesterday morning I fueled up in preparation for today’s Holyoke Road Race by grabbing a bite at the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast. I can’t wait to see many of you along the streets of Holyoke for the Parade tomorrow where I will be marching with the Westfield Parade Committee. With all of these celebrations going on today and tomorrow, I hope everyone is able take part safely.
In addition to getting into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit, my team and I had plenty of other meetings and events across the district this week to attend. On Tuesday morning, I was honored to speak at the unveiling of the newly rededicated Honor Wall over at Armbrook Village which recognizes all of their veteran residents who have proudly served our nation in the Armed Forces. This was such a beautiful ceremony and I thank Armbrook Village for having invited me.
Thursday, my team helped break ground on the new regional WESTCOMM dispatch facility in Chicopee. This new facility, when finished, will be a state-of-the-art communications center serving numerous communities here in Western Massachusetts and will allow our first responders to respond as quickly and as accurately as possible, saving lives in the process.
This week my office hosted office hours at the Chicopee COA on Tuesday and at the West Springfield COA on Wednesday. Next week, we will be at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday from 10:30am to 11:30am and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am. If you can’t 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.
I hope you’ve all been able to stay dry this week- April showers seemed to have come early this year.
Yesterday marked International Women’s Day, a day meant to recognize and encourage that barriers continue to be broken down for women and girls, not just in our country, but around the world. One day is simply not enough to recognize the achievement of countless women who have broken glass ceilings across the globe. To all the amazing and hard-working women in my life, from the State House to Western Mass, thank you for all that you do.
I hope everyone was able to get out and cast their vote on Tuesday for the Presidental Primaries. The ability to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and at its very core if fundamental right that all of our civil liberties rest upon. As we begin to anticipate all of the other upcoming elections that will take place this year, please do not forget that the deadline to register to vote, if you’re not already registered, is 10 days prior to the election in which you plan on voting.
This week, the City of Chicopee welcomed a brand-new Brazilian grocery store, Imperio Brazil, to Exchange Street where my staff helped cut the ribbon. This new store offers Brazilian products of all sorts and has a specialty butcher counter as well. We’re very much looking forward to having you in our community! Parabéns!
As St. Patrick’s Day comes closer, the Irish community here in Western Mass continues to host a multitude of cultural celebrations. Wednesday night marked the Agawam St. Patrick’s Committee’s corned beef dinner where my staff shared citations with the Agawam Colleen and her court. On Friday the City of Chicopee held its official Irish flag raising and later that evening celebrated with an Irish dinner for Chicopee families. I cannot wait to see many of you down at the parade and road race in Holyoke next weekend.
Yesterday afternoon marked the groundbreaking for the new William R. Peck Middle School in Holyoke. This is an incredible milestone for many community members in Holyoke and I have been proud to have advocated for funds from the Massachusetts School Building Authority to see this new school project come to fruition. I am looking forward to the day that this new school building and several others across our district open their doors to students and educators.
This week my office hosted office hours at the Agawam COA on Monday. Next week, we will be Chicopee COA on Tuesday from 10:00am to 11:00am and at the West Springfield COA on Wednesday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you can’t 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 March! I hope you all enjoyed the dose of warm weather we got earlier this week. Of course, in classic New England style, we were abruptly reminded what season it really is afterwards.
Regardless of the temperature, all the festivities in celebration of St. Patricks’ Day are beginning to ramp up across Western Mass. Just this past Sunday marked the City of Easthampton’s celebration of their Parade Committee’s award winners. This group of folks from across greater Easthampton really got in the spirit and I’m looking forward to more events to come all across our district.
On Monday morning, several of my staff members attended the Tourism in Western Mass briefing. The Pioneer Valley and the Berkshires are, in my own biased opinion, some of the most beautiful parts of the country and with so much to do as well, tourism makes up a critical part of our local economy. I’m looking forward to helping support our local tourism bureau and sharing all the wonderful things Western Massachusetts has to offer!
Over at the State House my team was happy to welcome members of the Easthampton Council on Aging on Tuesday for Older Adult Lobby Day. This great group of advocates shared some of the legislative priorities of our local Senior Centers with my State House office and even got to take a tour of the Senate Chambers. To top off this great visit my office was able to check out the Council on Aging’s new van which I was proud to help secure an earmark for a few years back. Many thanks to Director Tarail for organizing this visit!
Back in the district, we welcomed several new businesses to Chicopee. The Colonial Cafe had its grand reopening at their new location with a brand-new kitchen on Chicopee Street in Chicopee. We also welcomed Julie’s Nail Salon just up the street from Colonial Cafe on Chicopee Street as well. It’s so great to have new businesses opening right here in our own neighborhoods. Here’s to continued success to you both!
We also said farewell this week to several prolific public employees as they leave their posts for a well-deserved retirement. Wednesday afternoon we shared our appreciation to Ed Gibson, the long time and well-loved Town Administrator for Southampton. On Friday night we congratulated Andrew Lyne who selflessly served the Town of West Springfield for over three decades with the fire department. Congratulations again to you both and thank you for your years of public service to our local communities!
This week my office hosted office hours at the Westfield COA on Monday, the Russell COA on Tuesday at and wrapped up office hours for the month of February at the Southampton COA on Wednesday. Next week, we will be at the Agawam COA on Monday morning from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you can’t 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.
I hope all of you have been enjoying the sunny weather this week. Hopefully that means the spring is just around the corner.
My team and I have been all over the district this week. As the discussions surrounding the HEROS Act goes forward, we have been meeting with veterans and other stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth to find ways for the legislation to best benefit all involved. As Chair of the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, and a veteran myself, the wellbeing of my fellow veterans and service members is one of my top priorities as an elected official. I look forward to continuing the work on this legislation and all legislation to help my fellow veterans.
Yesterday marked the 250th anniversary of the incorporation of the Town of West Springfield. A quarter of a millennium is quite the milestone! Festivities took place at Clark Field and saw performances from school bands, food from local vendors, and it all culminated in a firework show at the end of the evening! This was an amazing time and is just the start of a series of events to celebrate the Town of West Springfield’s birthday throughout this year. I’m looking forward to all that’s to come this spring and summer over in West Side!
This week my office hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday and Holyoke COA on Wednesday. Next week, we have quite the lineup of office hours including spending time at the Westfield COA on Monday at 12:30 PM, then heading over to the Russell COA on Tuesday at 11:30 AM and wrapping up office hours for the month of February at the Southampton COA on Wednesday at 9:30 AM. If you can’t 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.
