Category: Uncategorized

Hello Everyone, 

This weekend, families across the Commonwealth will celebrate Easter Sunday and observe the start of Passover. Wishing you all a blessed, joyful, and healthy weekend with your loved ones. 

Last weekend, I attended the National Conference of State Legislatures Behavioral Health Conference in Washington D.C. During the conference I met with experts in the behavioral health and substance use fields and with legislators from Connecticut to Alaska. It was heartbreaking to hear how the opioid epidemic has touched every corner of this great country. At the same time, I was encouraged by the opportunity to share Massachusetts’ story and how the opioid epidemic is being addressed on a state and local level. I laid out to the conference three areas of focus that will shape future legislation in Massachusetts: preventing overdoses, addressing barriers to treatment, and promoting recovery. It was informative to hear thoughts from other state legislators and to learn about ideas to make Massachusetts an even healthier and safer place. 

On the heels of the conference, it was time again for Team Velis to take to the basketball court. On Monday, I was joined by Sheriff Cocchi, Senator Gomez, Holyoke Mayor Garcia, and Holyoke City Councilor Rivera for a five-on-five charity game at the Holyoke YMCA. Unfortunately, the game ended with similar results, a devastating loss in a game that went down to the wire. The highlight of the game came when Sheriff Cocchi put up a hook shot while surrounded by defenders, nothing but air! In all seriousness, the people at the YMCA are doing amazing things for the youth in our communities, it is incredibly rewarding shaking the hands of these young men and women after a hard-fought game of hoops. I was also happy to make a donation to help offset the cost of transportation to a Celtics game the group had recently attended.  

Speaking of youth organizations, I was honored this week to be chosen by the MA Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs as their 2021 Senate “Champion of Youth”. On Wednesday, I visited the newly renovated West Springfield Boys & Girls Club to receive this honor. Our Clubs have always been amazing and transformative resource for youth in our communities. I know that personally from my time spent as a kid at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield and my later years as a mentor, and I will continue to support them however I can. 

Office hours this week were held at the Chicopee Senior Center. It’s always great to hear from constituents and our next office hours will be Monday, April 25^th, from 12:30PM – 1:30PM at the Westfield Senior Center.  

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.    

Sincerely,     

John C. Velis   

(BOSTON – 04/14/2022) Amid alarming reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed a major bill, S.2819, An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward, or the Drive Act. The bill addresses climate change in three primary areas—clean energy, transportation, and buildings—with the aim of achieving the Commonwealth’s ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, which the Legislature codified into law in 2021.

“Combatting climate change requires an honest assessment of the challenges before us, and constant work to change the course we are on,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’m proud to say that the Senate has never shied away from either, and that we continue to lead on taking action to combat climate change. The Drive Act takes important steps to expand clean energy, encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, reduce emissions from the building sector, and foster a workforce for our future, while two additional bills will help homeowners dealing with oil spills and protect open spaces. I’d like to thank Senators Barrett, Creem, Gobi and Eldridge, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, and all of Senators who offered amendments to make this climate package stronger.”

“Today’s passage of an Act Driving Climate Policy Forward is a reflection of the Senate’s strong commitment to an all-hands-on deck approach to boldly confronting our climate challenges head on,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to the Senate President and her team for their leadership and guidance, and thank you to Senator Barrett, Senator Creem, their staffs, the Senate Ways and Means team, and all the members of the Senate for lending their voices and contributions throughout this process. With the passage of this comprehensive climate package, we are another step closer to ensuring the Commonwealth meets its ambitious goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

“We know climate change is relentless, so we think Massachusetts needs to be relentless, too,” stated Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), Senate Chair of the Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Committee. “No one’s around to give out ‘A’s’ for effort. What matters are results. An Act Driving Climate Policy Forward pushes back against global warming on multiple fronts, and with an emphasis on innovation and smart experimentation. It’s about thinking long-range but executing now, in the short term. It’s about problem-solving, confidence, and even optimism.”

Clean Energy

Around 20 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Massachusetts come from the power plants that fuel its energy grid, making support for clean energy alternatives necessary to meet the Commonwealth’s goal of having net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Recognizing this, the Drive Act includes significant provisions to deploy clean energy infrastructure, including those related to offshore wind energy, solar energy, and energy storage. Acknowledging the importance of growing the Commonwealth’s green economy, this bill allocates $100 million to a Clean Energy Investment Fund to support infrastructure development in the clean energy industry.

To assist with the financial viability of offshore wind energy projects, this legislation updates the procurement process for new offshore wind energy investments to ensure that the Commonwealth receives as many competitive bids as possible, that all projects maximize equitable economic development opportunities, that environmental impacts are mitigated, and that ratepayers are protected throughout the process. The bill also provides more flexibility to offshore wind developers by adjusting the existing price cap for offshore wind projects, allowing for price increases of up to 10 per cent of the previous procurement. It also require that any increase in price must be the result of economic development investments for low- and middle-income populations and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. This crucial change will give offshore wind developers more flexibility, protect ratepayers from significant price increases, and ensure that offshore wind investments support equitable economic development in the Commonwealth.

To support the advancement of solar power, the bill permits agricultural and horticultural land to be used to site solar panels, eliminates the so-called ‘donut hole’ for on-site solar energy net metering to promote residential solar; and requires the Department of Energy Resources (DOER) to make recommendations for the successor program to the current SMART solar incentive program.

In addition to wind and solar power, the bill addresses other innovative sources of clean energy such as fusion and geothermal power, and amends Massachusetts law to ensure that the state can consider potential options for the development of safe, clean energy sources. Acknowledging the harmful health and environmental impacts of biomass facilities, this legislation removes biomass from the list of energy-generating sources that are allowed to receive state incentives for clean energy. To ensure that the Commonwealth has adequate storage systems to accommodate all the clean energy that Massachusetts will be adding to its energy portfolio, this bill directs a study of how to optimize the deployment of long-term energy storage systems.

Transportation

As the transportation sector is the largest source of fuel emissions in Massachusetts, the bill takes steps to encourage the use of electric vehicles, including codifying into statute, expanding, and allocating $100 million for the state’s MOR-EV electric vehicle incentive program, which provides rebates to individuals who purchase electric vehicles.

Under the Drive Act, the rebate amount will increase by $1,000, to $3,500, for passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Moreover, electric vehicle purchasers who trade in their emission-producing vehicles will be eligible for an additional incentive of $1,000. For the first time, rebates provided through the MOR-EV program will be administered at the point of sale, rather than through a rebate that can take up to 90 days to receive. The bill also makes used vehicles eligible for rebates. Further, the bill directs the department of energy resources to conduct an outreach campaign to promote awareness about the MOR-EV program among consumers and businesses in underserved and low-income communities, as well as in communities with high proportions of high-emission vehicles.

To expand access to electric vehicle charging stations, this bill convenes an interagency coordinating council to develop and implement a charging infrastructure deployment plan, and allocates $50 million to this coordinating council to deploy charging infrastructure in an equitable and comprehensive manner.

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) would be required to set vehicle electrification and greenhouse gas emission requirements for electric vehicle companies. In addition, to ensure that zero-emission vehicle charging remains affordable for consumers, the bill requires all electricity companies to submit proposals to the department of public utilities for how they will offer reduced electricity rates for consumers who charge their zero-emission vehicles at off-peak times.

Finally, the bill takes historic steps to address emissions that come from MBTA bus fleets. Starting in 2028, this bill would require every passenger bus that is purchased or leased by the MBTA to be a zero-emission vehicle. By the end of 2040, the MBTA would be required to operate exclusively zero-emission vehicles. Underserved and low-income communities would be prioritized for the equitable deployment of these zero-emission buses.

Amendments adopted during the debate include those to:

• Allow the MOR-EV program to offer an additional $1,500 rebate for low-income individuals;
• Require the state to examine historic and present participation of low- and moderate-income households in the MOR-EV program and recommend strategies to reduce disparities in uptake;
• Require the MBTA to develop and implement short-, medium-, and long-term plans for electrifying the commuter rail fleet, with new purchase of diesel locomotives to be phased out in the coming years;
• Require MassDOT to assist Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) in creating an Electric Bus Rollout Plan for transitioning to zero-emission bus fleets; and
• Direct the state to prepare a report on the estimated cost of converting school buses to zero-emission vehicles, as well as recommendations on how to structure a state incentive program for replacing school buses.

Buildings

To tackle the difficult issue of emissions from the building sector, the bill creates a 10 municipality demonstration project allowing all-electric building construction by local option. Participating municipalities must receive local approval before applying into the demonstration project.

The Drive Act makes targeted enhancements to the Mass Save program, which provides rebates and incentives for owners and renters related to efficient appliances and other home energy improvements. Under the bill, priority for Mass Save projects will be given to those that maximize net climate, environmental, and equity impacts. Beginning in 2025, Mass Save funds will also be limited in most instances from going to any fossil fuel equipment.

This bill requires the DPU to conduct an adjudicatory proceeding prior to approving any company-specific plan under the DPU’s future of heat proceedings. In addition, the bill requires DPU to convene a stakeholder working group to develop regulatory and legislative recommendations for how Massachusetts can best align the Commonwealth’s gas system enhancement program with the state’s 2050 net zero goal. The working group must submit its final recommendations to the Legislature by July 31, 2023.

Amendments adopted during the debate include those to:

• Require utility companies to report to the state annually the total amount of natural gas and electricity used by large buildings over 25,000 square feet, and for the state to make the data publicly available on a building-by-building basis;
• Require the state to consider the historic and present participation of low- and middle-income households, including renter households, in the Mass Save program, and provide recommendations to promote equitable access and reduce disparities in uptake; and
• Direct electric and gas distribution companies to collect and report on data related to ratepayer bills in communities that are involved in the demonstration project, as well as those who are not

S.2821: An Act relative to the remediation of home heating oil releases

The Senate also passed S.2821, An Act relative to the remediation of home heating oil releases. Over 650,000 homeowners across Massachusetts use home heating oil to heat their homes. Every year, over 100 of those homeowners report to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that there has been an oil spill associated with their home heating oil tank. These spills can cost anywhere from tens of thousands to millions of dollars to clean up, causing a potential financial crisis for a family.

“I would like to thank the Senate President, Chairman Rodrigues, and Senator Feeney for their steadfast support in moving this bill through the Senate,” said Senator Anne M. Gobi (D-Worcester), the sponsor of the bill. “This legislation is a necessity for homeowners’ protection and peace of mind. The cost of remediation is expensive and can force residents to seek risky financial maneuvers. It is only fair that the state takes action to protect its citizens from this danger. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate, for their unanimous support today. I urge the House of Representatives to move quickly on this legislation; it is in the best interest of the residents of Massachusetts.”

The Legislature previously took action on this issue in 2008, adopting a bill that would require release prevention devices to be installed for residential heating oil systems, as well as and mandate all homeowner insurers in Massachusetts to offer coverage for home heating oil cleanups. While this bill made insurance coverage available, it was not successful in leading to high uptake rates. Currently, only seven per cent of homeowners who use home heating oil have insurance coverage for a potential spill. Many homeowners with home heating oil falsely assume that their current policy covers a potential clean up, or are unaware that such insurance coverage exists. This means that every year, hundreds of families are hit with unexpected and expensive cleanup bills that they are unable to cover themselves.

The bill adopted by the Senate today addresses this problem by requiring that all homeowner insurance policies cover a potential home heating oil spill. This is a common-sense measure, considering that homeowner insurance policies already cover other potential risks, including natural gas line explosions. This legislation will help prevent families from having to deal with the tragic situation of paying for the cleanup of home heating oil spills by themselves.

S.2820: An Act preserving open space in the Commonwealth

In addition, the Senate passed S.2820, An Act preserving open space in the Commonwealth. This bill would prevent the loss of natural resource lands that are covered under Article 97 of the Massachusetts constitution. The bill requires that any municipality or state agency that is disposing or changing the use of any Article 97 protected open space must replace that land with comparable land, which would protect open spaces across Massachusetts.

“I am very proud to join my Senate colleagues in passing the Public Land Protection Act to safeguard public lands for future generations,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), the sponsor of the bill. “I’m grateful to Senate President Karen E. Spilka, Senate Ways and Means Chair Rodrigues, and Senate Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Chair Becca Rausch for their work on this important environmental bill that will protect open space across Massachusetts.”

Since the Drive Act builds off a previous climate bill that was passed through the House, the differences will need to be worked out by both branches before the bill advances to the Governor’s desk. The open space bill also amends a similar bill that was passed through the House, and so differences will need to be reconciled on that bill as well. Having only passed in the Senate, the home heating oil spill bill will now go to the House for further consideration.

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(Westfield, 3/15/2022)

Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, today released the following statement on the report released by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs that recommends the closure of the Leeds VA Medical Center in Northampton: 

“This recommendation is a slap in the face to the more than 24,000 Veterans who receive treatment at the Northampton VA and who have served our nation at the highest levels. I have profound concerns with this proposal and the impact it would have on Veterans in our region. 

Telling Veterans that they can drive an hour more to the Connecticut VA is simply unacceptable and just like the US Government Accountability Office, I do not believe that our already overstrained community providers have the bandwidth to make up these services, especially the critical behavioral health services provided at Northampton. 

Transportation is already a challenge for our Veterans, and it is unconscionable that we would consider pushing them further away from the medical care that they so desperately depend on. 

As Chair of the Veterans’ and Federal Affairs Committee, I intend to call a public hearing on this proposal if it continues to move forward and will do everything in my power to prevent this closure.” 

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(Agawam 3/7/2022) With the recent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding legislation signed into law by Governor Baker, State Senator John C. Velis today presented earmark funding of $75,000 to the Agawam Senior Center. Senator Velis secured the funding that will assist the Agawam Senior Center in acquiring a new van. 

Senator John Velis was joined at the Agawam Senior Center by Mayor William Sapelli, Agawam Senior Center Executive Director Michael Squindo, and members of the Agawam community. The $75,000 in ARPA funding will be used to purchase a new van, which will increase mobility for local seniors by making transportation more accessible  

“Reliable transportation is absolutely critical to the wellbeing of our senior citizens, and I am glad to have worked with Mayor Sapelli to secure this important Senate earmark.” said Senator Velis. Seniors often rely on family members, public transportation, or private organizations to bring them to and from appointments and events in the community. “The $75,000 in ARPA funding will go a long way to ensure that folks are able to get to where they need to be, safely and efficiently. Members of the senior community cannot afford to miss a medical appointment, or important event, just because they did not have adequate transportation. I am extremely proud to be able to go to Boston to effectively advocate for our senior citizens and look forward to seeing the Agawam Senior Center’s new van on the roadways soon.”  

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(Boston 3/21/2022) Today, Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) and Representative Joseph Wagner (D-Chicopee) were appointed to the conference committee tasked with resolving differences between the two different Soldiers’ Home Governance Reform bills passed by the House and Senate. 

“It is absolutely paramount that we get these reforms right, for all the Veterans who tragically passed away at our Commonwealth’s Soldiers’ Homes during the Spring of 2020 and for all the future Veterans who will resides in these homes for the years to come, “said Senator Velis, who also Chairs the Legislature’s Veterans’ & Federal Affairs Committee. “We passed a really great bill in the Senate that institutes a clear chain of command and maintains power at the local level. The House had a very deliberative approach, which resulted in some very good ideas as well and I believe there is plenty of room for us to build on. It is so important that our final legislation ensures that there is a clear chain of command in the reporting structure, that the appropriate medical personnel are in place, and that each Home’s local board has an indispensable role at their facility. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the conference committee to accomplish these goals.” 

The House passed its version, H.4441, on February 10^th and the Senate passed its version, S.2761, on March 10^th. Conference committees meet privately to resolve differences and produce a final report. That legislation is then sent back to each branch and subsequently to the Governor’s desk.  

The other Conference Committee members appointed are Senator Mike Rush (D-Roxbury) and Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Representative Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham), and Representative David DeCoste (R-Norwell). 

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Boston, MA – Today, the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs hosted its 19th Annual Legislative Event, with club members, staff and boards of directors, elected officials, and media representatives in attendance from across the Commonwealth. The event featured remarks from State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, State Senator John Velis, State Senator Eric Lesser, and 2021 Massachusetts Youth of the Year Alton from the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club. 

“We were overjoyed to be able to virtually gather to thank our legislators for all their support during this past year” said Jennifer Aldworth, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs. “We are proud to serve children and teens across the Commonwealth in all of our communities, and want to continue to provide solutions to community recovery.” 

The event highlighted and celebrated the important role Clubs play in their communities: providing afterschool and out-of-school time programming, offering social and emotional support to kids and teens, serving hundreds of thousands of meals to those in need, and providing childcare to working families. The Alliance also took the opportunity to thank the Legislature for the unprecedented $10 million allocation in ARPA funding to support Clubs’ COVID-19 recovery efforts. They also called upon the legislature to support their $3.2 million budget request for FY2023, which will help Clubs to continue serving nearly 90,000 kids at 68 Club sites across the Commonwealth. 

As part of the event, the Alliance bestowed Representative Michlewitz and Senator Velis with its 2022 House and Senate Champion of Youth Awards, in recognition of their tireless advocacy on behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs on Beacon Hill. 

“It is truly an honor to be presented this award from such an awesome organization like the Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. Our Commonwealth’s Boys & Girls Clubs have always been an incredible resource in our communities, but they have really stepped up and adapted in amazing ways over the past two years to help meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic” said Senator John C. Velis, Second Hampden and Hampshire District. “Great Futures really do start at the Boys & Girls Club and I am proud to support all of our Commonwealth’s Clubs as they continue their mission.” 

“The Boys & Girls Club do great work across the Commonwealth helping thousands of our youngest residents and their families each and every day. I want to thank the organization for honoring me with this award. I look forward to continuing to work with the Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs to improve the lives of thousands of our residents.” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). 

Also speaking during the event was Alton, from the Roxbury Boys and Girls Club, the Alliance’s 2021 Massachusetts Youth of the Year. Alton is a first-year student double-majoring in Psychology & Sports Management at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. On campus, he fosters positive relationships with his community to ensure everyone is included, a key value he learned in his time as a 12-year member of the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club. During his time at Roxbury, he was an active member of the Keystone Club, the Ready to Work Fellowship and also travelled with the Explore India program. Now an alumnus, the 2021 Massachusetts Youth of the Year serves as a Community Engaged Fellow on Xavier’s campus, focusing on youth mentorship & relationship building. Alton is also on the Leadership Committee on the executive board of the club Gentlemen Organized for Achievement & Leadership. 

“The Club is my home, and nothing short of that. It’s a place where I can express myself freely, and I connect even more with my friends” said Alton. 

About the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs 

The Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs serves as the collective voice for Clubs on Beacon Hill and beyond. The Alliance works with state government to secure ongoing public support for Club programs across the Commonwealth. The Alliance includes 40 clubs across the State – which serve over nearly 90,000 children and teens at 68 Club sites. 

For more information visit: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGCMass/ 

Website: https://massalliancebgc.org/index.html 

Twitter: @massalliancebgc 

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Hello Everyone, 

I hope everyone had a great week, and happy Master’s weekend to all the golf fans out there. Although I might not have the prettiest golf swing, seeing folks tee off along East Mountain Road is a great reminder that warmer weather is on the way. Fortunately for our district, I am better suited to hitting events in our communities. 

This past Tuesday, Governor Baker hosted a group of Gold Start Spouses and members of the legislature at the State House. It was truly an honor to meet with and salute these spouses who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Gold Star Families are the embodiment of the selfless heroism of our fallen servicemembers. These families devote their time and energy to supporting others who have lost an active-duty family member. Their selfless dedication ensures that the legacy of their sons, daughters, husbands, and wives, will carry on.  

As Vice Chair of the Committee on Children and Families, I have a tremendous appreciation for the social workers in our communities. That is why I was so glad to join Chairman Michael Finn and Sherriff Cocchi at the Holyoke DCF Office on Wednesday morning. We met with and recognized local social workers for their compassion and dedication. These folks are the eyes and ears that ensure children and families receive the care and services that they deserve.  

Later that afternoon,  I presented the $15,000 in ARPA funds earmarked for the Agawam Veterans Council. I was joined by Mayor Sapelli and members of the Agawam City Council for the presentation, which took place at the Agawam Senior Cener. As with each earmark, it is my pleasure to go to Boston, advocate for my constituents, and bring funding back home to the district. Looking forward to seeing the Agawam Veterans Council put the funds to work and continue supporting our local veterans. 

My office doubled up on office hours this week, visiting with constituents in both Agawam and Russell. Next week’s office hours are scheduled for 10:00AM on Monday, April 11^th at the Chicopee Senior Center. Additionally, The Emily Williston Memorial Library is reopening their doors for monthly office hours, so keep an eye out for me there as I add dates to my calendar! 

As always, if there is anything I can do to assist you, please never hesitate to reach out to my office. I can be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920 and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.    

Sincerely,     

John C. Velis   

(BOSTON – 04/07/2022)  The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed S.2801, An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry. Through the creation of a new fund that aims to support equity in the cannabis industry and improvements to the local licensing process, the bill levels the industry playing field to help members of communities disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement take part in the Commonwealth’s growing cannabis market. 

During the Senate’s debate of the bill, Senator John C. Velis (D -Westfield) filed an amendment to support municipalities in constructing agreements with prospective cannabis businesses. The amendment was unanimously adopted.  

Amendment 15 would require that the Cannabis Control Commission develop a model host community agreement to serve as guidance for municipalities and prospective cannabis licenses. In addition, the amendment would require that if the CCC does reject a host community agreement, that they must provide written notice to the municipality and the prospective cannabis license of what criteria was not met. 

“For so many municipalities in our Commonwealth, but especially for smaller communities like those in Western Massachusetts, these contracts with cannabis businesses are a critical source of revenue,” said Senator Velis during his remarks on the Senate floor. “It’s important that we work to support our municipalities in this process. After all, it is in these communities where the cannabis establishments themselves will reside. This amendment will ensure that our communities have the information they need to quickly get their contracts across the finish line and get this new revenue into their communities.” 

Social Equity Fund 

A combination of high entry costs and lack of access to capital have kept many would-be entrepreneurs from taking part, resulting in fewer than seven percent of cannabis licenses in Massachusetts going to social equity businesses. 

Opening an average cannabis retail shop can require $1 to $1.5 million in liquidity, and the numbers are even higher for manufacturing facilities –at around $3-$5 million. The social equity fund, created by the legislation, would facilitate new access to capital by making grants and loans, including forgivable and no-interest loans, to equity applicants. The fund will receive ten percent of annual revenue collected from the marijuana excise tax (an estimated $18 million for FY2023). Massachusetts is poised to join a handful of other states in pioneering this program. 

Host Community Agreements 

The bill also responds to concerns about the process of negotiating Host Community Agreements (HCAs), which have been identified as a key factor in keeping industry entry costs high. The bill re-affirms that fees in HCAs cannot exceed three percent of a cannabis business’ annual gross sales and must be reasonably related to the costs associated with hosting a cannabis business in a city or town. 

Other components of the bill include: 

• Incentives for municipalities to prioritize equity, through a portion of the marijuana excise tax that is distributed to cities and towns that host social equity marijuana businesses.  
• ·A requirement that the CCC establish rules and regulations for municipalities to promote full participation in the industry by previously harmed communities. 
• Clarifications to the existing law’s authorization of social consumption businesses, clearing a path for municipalities to permit on-site cannabis consumption businesses in their city or town via local ordinance as well as local referendum.  

The bill now moves to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for further consideration. 

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Welcome to the month of April! The month of budding flowers, religious holidays, and my favorite … practical jokes! Many folks in our communities will observe holidays, such as Ramadan, Passover and Easter. I look forward to seeing the way that families in our district celebrate and honor their traditions. Hopefully I’ll sneak in a few great meals, too! It was a busy week in the district, so I will jump right in.

If you want to see one of the most impressive group of students in the state, I recommend paying attention to Easthampton High School’s “We the People” Civics Team. On Monday, Rep. Dan Carey and I witnessed just how much work EHS teacher Kelley Brown and her students put into their work. I took part in a question-and-answer session with the students and participated in a riveting practice hearing. I’m looking forward to this group of students making Massachusetts proud at the national “We the People” finals in Washington, D.C., later this spring.

Later that day, I drove over to the Leeds VA Medical Center to join a rally in opposition of the proposed closure of the site. So many of our local veterans rely on this location to receive critical medical care, and closure of the site would put dangerous barriers between our veterans and the services they depend on. I’m extremely proud to stand alongside veterans, caretakers, and members of the community in pushing back against this idea.

Tuesday morning, I had the opportunity to meet the folks at Western Mass. Elder Care in Holyoke. They have quite the operation in place to deliver meals to residents of the city. From the nutritionists making sure that customers are sticking to their cardiac or renal diets, to the delivery drivers making sure to check up on meal recipients, I was floored by the systems in place to care of senior members of their community.

On Wednesday the Soldiers’ Home Conference Committee held its first meeting. I am humbled to serve on the committee alongside Rep. Joseph Wagner. The work of the conference committee is already underway regarding these incredibly important reforms, and it is critical that we get them right. “Care with Honor and Dignity” is the mission of the Soldiers’ Home, and we will be relentless in completing that mission.

I also want to congratulate the group of Young Marines that graduated at Westover Air Reserve Base on Friday. Young Marines is a national program that instills leadership skills, community service, and physical and mental discipline in local youth. We are all looking forward to seeing the future accomplishments of these young leaders, as they continue to be upstanding contributors in their communities.

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

(Boston 3/10/2022) Today the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously passed S.2739, An Act relative to the Governance, Structure and Care of Veterans at the Commonwealth’s Veterans’ Homes. During the Senate’s debate of the bill, which improves the reporting structure of Veterans’ Homes, elevates the position of Veterans Secretary to cabinet level, and institutes new medical oversight, five amendments filed by Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield) were adopted that further streamline the Chain of Command and expand the role of each Home’s Local Regional Council.  

“From removing burdensome reporting layers and cleaning up the Chain of Command, to putting in place important infection control and medical oversight, this legislation builds on a lot of the critical lessons that we learned since the tragic COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in the spring of 2020,” said Senator John Velis, who is the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “This legislation is about doing right by those Veterans who passed away at our Veterans’ and about doing right by all the Veterans who will call Massachusetts home in the coming years.” 

A highlight of the new streamlined chain command is that the State-Wide Veterans Council is only advisory and not in the reporting structure. In addition, amendment 13 from Senator Velis was adopted to further streamline the structure by taking the Executive Director of Veterans’ Homes and Housing out of the Chain of Command and clarifying that each Superintendent report directly to the Secretary of Veterans Services.  

“The one issue we’ve heard over and over again during every hearing and from every investigation is that there was a colossal breakdown in the Chain of Command at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home that led to disastrous consequences,” said Senator Velis. “This legislation puts in place a governance system that makes sense, that provides a clear chain of command, and that ensures communication, transparency and accountability.” 

Amendment 8 from Senator Velis ensures regional equity on the State-Wide Advisory Council and expands the responsibilities and makeup of the Local Regional Councils.  

The amendment: 

• Expands the Local Council to 9 members:  
  • Requires that 3 members come from a list nominated by the Home’s Area President for the Massachusetts Veterans’ Service Officers to ensure local Veteran input. 
  • Requires that one seat be chosen by the President of the Veterans Advocate Committee for each Veterans’ Home, a resident elected by fellow residents. 
  • Requires that one seat be filled by the President of the Family Advocate Committee for each Veteran’s Home, a position elected by family members of residents. 

• Expands the Local Council’s role by: 
  • Empowering them to review and make recommendations on rules and regulations pertaining to each Veterans’ Home, staffing levels and other topics. 
  • The councils must also hold public meetings for the general public to participate. 

• Requires that the State-Wide Advisory Council has regionally equitable membership and has least one member residing in the county in which each Veterans’ home is located. 

“This amendment is about ensuring that those people closest to the Home have a say–an indispensable role in the oversight of our Homes. As anyone in the military will tell you, the boots on the ground perspective is absolutely critical to understanding what is going on. The members of the Local Council are those boots on the ground,” said Senator Velis. “This amendment guarantees that residents, family members, and local Veterans have a voice on this council, and that they will be heard on all issues pertaining to their Veterans’ Home.”  

Amendment 12 from Senator Velis creates an annual Soldiers’ Home Remembrance Day to honor the Veterans who lost their lives due to COVID-19 at the  two Veterans’ Homes.  

“A Veteran is a Veteran, is a Veteran, no matter where they reside. We must never forget their service and sacrifices, and we must never forget the ultimate tragedy that befell so many Veterans at the Holyoke and Chelsea Soldiers’ Home in the spring of 2020,” said Velis. 

In addition, amendment 9 from Senator Velis was adopted during the Senate’s debate to employ an infection control specialist and emergency preparedness specialist at each Veterans’ Home. Amendment 16 from Senator Velis was adopted to ensure that the office of the Executive Director of Veterans’ Homes and Housing has sufficient staffing and resources for their other duties.  

With the House of Representatives having previously passed a Soldiers’ Home Governance Reform bill, the two branches will now appoint a conference committee to reconcile differences between the two versions.  

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