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(BOSTON – 11/10/2021) Today, the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously approved An Act allowing humane transportation of K9 partners, also known as Nero’s Law, ensuring law enforcement officers’ K-9 partners receive life-saving medical attention and transport if injured in the line of duty. The bill, first proposed by Senator Mark Montigny, comes in response to the tragic events that took the life of New Bedford-native and Yarmouth Police K-9 Sergeant Sean Gannon and severely injured his K-9 partner, Nero.

In April 2018, Sergeant Gannon was shot and killed while serving a warrant in the Town of Barnstable. Despite the multiple empty ambulances on site, Nero had to be rushed to the animal hospital in the back of a police cruiser. Current Massachusetts law prohibits emergency medical personnel from treating and transporting animals. Fortunately, Nero survived his injuries, but the inability to transport him showed that reform was needed to honor working dogs who risk their lives every day to serve the Commonwealth.

“Providing emergency medical services to police dogs injured in the line of duty is both compassionate and appropriate, especially in light of what we’re asking them to do,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Service dogs play a necessary role in effective law enforcement operations, and they deserve our support. I thank Senator Montigny for his hard work and attention to this issue, as well as Senators Rodrigues, Timilty and Cyr for their advocacy and collaboration on this legislation.”

“K-9 officers protect the men and women in law enforcement as well as the community at-large,” said Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford), lead sponsor of the bill. “These animals endure extreme danger from gun violence, narcotics, and even explosive materials. Allowing our emergency personnel to provide basic treatment and transport is a commonsense measure that honors their contributions across the Commonwealth. Sergeant Gannon was a native son of New Bedford and therefore his K9 partner Nero is part of our community’s extended family. Words cannot describe the gratitude we have for the Gannon family for their tenacious and compassionate advocacy to get this bill done. I must also thank my colleagues Senators Walter Timilty and Mike Rodrigues for expediting this bill through the committee process.”

“This is a commonsense bill that gives proper recognition for the animal partners, like Nero, that help protect our communities, and ensures they can be cared for with dignity,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “By allowing these invaluable K-9 units to be properly treated, Nero’s Law supports K-9s, their partners, and the whole law enforcement community. Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her leadership, Senator Montigny for his diligent work on this matter, and to the Gannon family for leading the charge on this issue.”

“There was a tremendous outpouring of support for Nero’s Law from advocates, law enforcement officers, their family members, and communities from across the Commonwealth,” said state Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “Each and every day, law enforcement professionals, including police canines, put their lives on the line to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth. It is crucial that our first responders are given the ability to treat them when they are wounded in the line of duty. I am thankful that this legislation has passed and that first responders are now able to provide emergent care to wounded police canines.”

“Sergeant Sean Gannon was a dedicated officer of the Yarmouth Police Department known for his restraint and his quiet but firm sense of right and wrong. His tragic murder—and the life-threatening injuries sustained by his canine Nero—left the Cape and Islands in shock and grieving,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “We rely on canines to serve alongside police officers to go where we cannot, seek out what we cannot detect, and search for the vulnerable in their most trying moments, yet existing law prohibits emergency responders from treating and transporting police canines like Nero when they are most in need. I’m proud that the Senate is honoring Sergeant Gannon’s legacy and his example by protecting our canine friends who have been our companions and partners in public safety and so much more.”

Nero’s Law authorizes emergency medical service personnel to provide emergency treatment and transport of K-9 partners. This includes basic first aid, CPR, and administering life-saving interventions such as naloxone.

Nero’s Law now advances to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.

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(BOSTON–11/11/2021) The Massachusetts State Senate on Wednesday unanimously passed a $3.82 billion bill that directs federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to assist the Commonwealth’s ongoing recovery, with a particular focus on making equitable investments and ensuring that communities disproportionately impact by the COVID-19 pandemic are prioritized. Using this framework, the bill delivers targeted, transformational supports to critical sectors such as health care, mental and behavioral health, housing security, environment, and workforce development.

“The Massachusetts State Senate has acted decisively to support our state’s recovery and ensure we do not go back to normal but ‘back to better’,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate’s proposal provides a path towards an equitable recovery that benefits residents, businesses, and communities through transformational investments in public health, housing, and climate change. I once again thank President Biden and the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation for their work to pass the American Rescue Plan Act at the federal level. I am also grateful to my colleagues in the Senate, the members and staff of the Committee on Ways and Means, and the many members of the public who provided input to help us chart our future.”

“Over the course of Wednesday’s long and productive debate, the Senate demonstrated its commitment to using the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that the American Rescue Plan Act funds represent to fuel an equitable recovery and support the communities most impacted by the pandemic,” said State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Under the continued leadership of Senate President Spilka, the Senate has risen to the challenge of making meaningful investments in mental health, public health, workforce development, affordable housing, and so much more, ensuring those hit the hardest by COVID-19—families, essential workers and small businesses—are being helped the most. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate, whose advocacy and dedication helped to shape the overall direction of this bill to ensure our residents will benefit equitably as we continue to chart a path forward to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The Senate has produced an important bill to respond to the powerful impacts that COVID-10 has had in every community and sector of our Commonwealth. Our American Rescue Plan Act bill directs federal and state surplus dollars towards our highest priorities including; public health and wellness, economic and environmental protection and stewardship, infrastructure improvements, supports for the services people and businesses need to recover and prosper,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R – Gloucester). “The release of these funds won’t cure all our ills, but it will fuel our state’s recovery from a devastating pandemic, and build strength and resilience for the future.”

Investments included in the bill are as follows:

Mental and Behavioral Health, Public Health and Health Care

The Senate’s ARPA spending plan helps families, vulnerable populations, and historically underserved communities by investing more than $1 billion to support the state’s healthcare system and confront the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Senate’s bill invests $400 million in mental and behavioral health supports, including over $122 million to expand loan repayment programs for behavioral health professionals, including substance use disorder professionals. This investment is expected to help recruit and retain nearly 2,000 mental health professionals across the continuum of care. During debate, $5 million was added by amendment to support grants to higher education institutions to address student behavioral and mental health needs.

The Senate’s plan also revolutionizes the state’s local and regional public health infrastructure and makes a historic investment of $250.9 million to ensure the Commonwealth can protect the public health of residents, workers, and businesses for years to come. This funding includes $118.4 million for public health infrastructure and data sharing upgrades, and $95 million for direct grants to local boards of health to be prepared to respond to future public health threats. To complement this landmark investment, the Senate adopted an amendment that encourages greater collaboration between regional public health systems on workforce standards and policies, while sustaining the Public Health Excellence program established under the State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) program. Other health care investments include:

• $300 million for the Home and Community-Based Services Federal Investment Fund to address workforce needs for those caring for vulnerable populations,
• $200 million for acute hospitals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,
• $60 million for food security infrastructure with complementary amendments investing $17 million for the Greater Boston Food Bank for regional food security network improvements across the Commonwealth, $5 million for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, $2 million for the Massachusetts Food Trust Program to provide loans, grants and technical assistance in a regionally equitable manner to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, $1.92 million for Project Bread to better connect eligible unenrolled residents with federal nutrition programs statewide and $1 million for the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, Inc. for the operation of empowerment centers and to support the distribution of food to veterans in need,
• $55 million to support a robust and diverse home health care and human service workforce through recruitment, retention, and loan forgiveness programming,
• $50 million for nursing facilities, including $25 million for capital support, to increase the quality of patient care and $25 million for workforce initiatives,
• $25 million for a grant program for community violence prevention and re-entry organizations, focused on communities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,
• $5 million added by an amendment for Health Care For All to conduct a community-based MassHealth redetermination and vaccination outreach, education, and access campaign targeted in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,
• $5 million added by an amendment for the Disabled Persons Protection Commission to study and review the interrelationship between service-providing agencies for individuals with disabilities within the Commonwealth and to design and implement a system for an interconnected network that will provide a continuum of care for those individuals,
• $2 million added by an amendment for unreimbursed COVID-19 costs for Early Intervention providers, and
• $500,000, added through amendment, to establish transportation services for participants in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Treatment Courts.

Economic Recovery and Workforce Development

The Senate’s ARPA spending plan invests $1.7 billion to robustly support an equitable economic recovery for all by supporting workers, businesses and communities hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill dedicates $500 million towards premium pay bonuses for essential workers, up to $2,000 per worker, providing much needed relief to the workforce who served on the front lines during the pandemic.

The bill also provides nearly $200 million in tax relief for small-business owners who otherwise would be required to pay personal income taxes on state or federal relief money. During debate, the Senate adopted an amendment to codify into statute an existing safe harbor provision related to the calculation of the advanced sales tax payment law. This time sensitive issue is meant to ease compliance and provide many businesses peace of mind, given that the current rule was set to expire on December 31, 2021.

Other economic recovery and workforce development investments include:

• $500 million for the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, providing necessary relief to small business,
• $100 million for vocational school infrastructure and capacity building needs,
• $75 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to support organizations working with people displaced from jobs during the pandemic, historically underserved populations, and individuals reentering their communities from the corrections system,
• $75 million for equitable and affordable broadband access and infrastructure improvements to close the digital divide,
• $75 million for Mass Cultural Council grants to support the cultural sector,
• $50 million for direct grants to minority-owned small businesses,
• $30 million for regional high-demand workforce training at community colleges,
• $25 million for the expansion of Career Technical Institutes,
• $24.5 for workforce development and capital assistance grants to the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs and the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs, as well $4.5 million added through an amendment for the YWCAs,
• $15 million to enhance and diversify the cybersecurity sector with partnerships between public higher education institutions and private businesses,
• $12 million for the resettlement of Afghani evacuees and $8M added on the floor for Haitian evacuees,
• $10 million added by amendment for regional tourism councils, and
• $14 million for agricultural economy supports.

Housing

The spending plan acknowledges the critical role that housing plays in economic recovery. Over a year and a half into the pandemic, access to stable and affordable housing remains at the forefront of the state’s strategy to ensure economic security for those who call the Commonwealth home. Reflecting the Senate’s long-standing commitment, the ARPA spending bill allocates $600 million for investments in affordable, accessible housing, as well as supportive housing.

Housing investments include:

• $150 million for supportive housing, including $75 million for the chronically homeless population, and $20 million, added by amendment, to increase geographic equity and accessibility related to the continuum of long-term care services for veterans not primarily served by the Soldiers’ Homes in Chelsea or Holyoke,
• $150 million for public housing authorities to maintain and upgrade existing infrastructure,
• $125 million for the Commonwealth Builders Program to support housing production and promote homeownership among residents of disproportionately impacted communities,
• $125 million for affordable rental housing production and preservation for the workforce and low- and moderate-income individuals,
• $50 million for homeownership assistance tools, including down payment assistance, and mortgage interest subsidy supports.

Climate Preparedness

The Senate bill prioritizes building a more resilient Commonwealth and ensuring a healthier environment for all. To that end, the bill invests $450 million to combat climate change through mitigation initiatives, strengthen environmental infrastructure, fix aging water infrastructure, and modernize marine port infrastructure to support the state’s emerging offshore wind industry.

Environment and climate investments include:

• $175 million for water and sewer infrastructure investments through the Clean Water Trust,
• $125 million for environmental infrastructure grants, including the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program,
• $100 million for marine port infrastructure investments focused on the promotion of offshore wind development,
• $25 million for Greening the Gateway Cities program to support tree planting, after adding $5 million through an amendment,
• $15 million for parks and recreational assets,
• $10 million for clean energy retrofitting in affordable housing units,
• $7.5 million, added by amendment, for community colleges to help train underserved populations for green jobs, and
• $5 million for the advancement of geothermal technologies.

Transparency and Oversight

To support communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and prioritize historically underserved or marginalized populations, the Senate’s bill establishes an equity and accountability review panel for federal funds to track in near real-time the amount and percentage of ARPA funds spent in these communities and awarded to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises. The bill also takes steps to ensure minority-owned and women-owned business have fair participation on procurements issued under the act.

With both the House and Senate having passed their own versions of ARPA spending plans, the two bills must now be reconciled before heading to the Governor’s desk.

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(HOLYOKE 11/11/2021) Today Senator John C. Velis delivered letters from students throughout the Second Hampden and Hampshire District to residents at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home in honor of Veterans Day. This is the second year that Senator Velis has organized the initiative, which has 13 different schools from Westfield, Holyoke, Agawam, Southampton, and other communities participating.  

“I am thrilled to be able to continue this tradition which I know means so much to the residents at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home,” said Senator Velis (D-Westfield). “We have between 1,500 to 2,000 letters from students of all ages, from PRE-K all the way up to high school. This is an excellent, hands-on opportunity for students to learn and reflect about the importance of Veterans Day while bringing our communities together.” 

“At the Roberta G. Doering School in Agawam, the approximately 519 students created cards and letters to be delivered to the Holyoke Soldiers Home for Veteran’s Day,” said Kathleen Goyette-Jediny, a 6^th Grade Teacher in the Agawam Public Schools system. “We have a long history of honoring Veterans at the Doering School. When we learned we would need to postpone our annual ‘Bring a Vet to School Day’ due to Covid, the students desperately wanted to reach out to our Veterans and honor them locally.  The letters are a way for students to communicate their gratitude directly to Veterans.” 

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(WESTFIELD 11/5/2021) On Friday, November 5^th, Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield)  organized a local farm tour for the Western Mass legislators in Agawam and Southampton in collaboration with the American Farmland Trust, CISA (“Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture”), Land for Good, and the Holyoke Food and Equity Collective. The goal of the tour, according to Senator Velis, was for legislators to get a better understanding of the challenges that local farmers in Massachusetts face and to discuss ways that the Legislature can support them.  

“Local farms are a critical backbone of our Commonwealth, from providing fresh food to our communities to contributing to our local economies,” said Senator Velis. “Many of our farms faced enormous challenges even before COVID-19, and as we have seen from today’s visits, those issues have only grown during the pandemic. It is critical that–we as legislators–are doing everything we can to support our local farmers and that starts with discussions like these today.” 

Senator Velis was joined by Representative Kelly Pease (R-Westfield), Representative Pat Duffy (D-Holyoke), Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton), and Representative Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick). 

“Our farms in Western Massachusetts are putting food on the tables of families not only here but throughout the Commonwealth. We are thrilled that our local legislators are joining Senator Velis to hear directly from farmers, their ideas, hopes and challenges, for growing a food system with deeper resilience, access, and equity for all,” shared Philip Korman, Executive Director, CISA (Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture). 

The tour started at E. Cecchi Farm on Springfield Street in Feeding Hills. Celebrating its 75^th year, the vegetable farm has been in the same family for three generations and makes seasonal food donations to the surrounding communities. After touring, participants discussed the Massachusetts Healthy Incentive Program and how the Legislature can support farmers donating food.  

The tour then moved to Fletcher Farm, a dairy farm on Gunn Road in Southampton. The number of dairy farms in Massachusetts has declined more than 85% since 1978, but the remaining 117 dairy farms produce over 20 million gallons of milk annually, with a market value of more than $60 million. Legislators toured the farm’s newly constructed farm stand, where their conversation focused on how to support the Massachusetts Dairy Industry and expand Food Insecurity Grant Programs that many communities have taken advantage of. 

The tour wrapped up at Glendale Ridge Vineyard in Southampton. Starting with just 120 grapevines in 2010, the farm has expanded to five acres of different varieties of grapevines. While the vineyard has a wine-tasting room, it was shut down at the beginning of March 2020, and now tastings are held outside. After touring, participants discussed the great impact that climate change has had on farms and possible legislation for agricultural and horticultural lands that aims to mitigate these effects. 

“Western Massachusetts farmers work tirelessly to grow food for residents across the 2^nd Hampden and Hampshire district. American Farmland Trust is grateful for Senator Velis and our local legislators’ openness and willingness to have conversations with farmers about their passion for agriculture and the day-to-day challenges of being a producer in the district.  It is a thrill to engage legislators on farms, collaborating on ways to develop policy that supports farmers who sell local products in communities, including those that are historically underserved like Holyoke. Our working lands are at the heart of our food system. We look forward to working with Senator Velis and other local legislators in advancing changes that will contribute to making agriculture resilient in the face of climate change throughout the Commonwealth,” said Chelsea Gazillo, New England Policy Manager for American Farmland Trust.  

Senator Velis said he hopes to take the lessons from the tour back to the Legislature to collaborate with his colleagues on policies that address these challenges and expand supports for farms. 

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(BOSTON 11/10/2021) Today during the Massachusetts State Senate’s debate on the American Rescue Plan Act spending bill, two Veteran-specific amendments filed by Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield) were unanimously adopted. “As we approach Veterans Day, we are all reminded of the importance of recognizing and honoring those who have served our nation,” stated Senator Velis. “These amendments are another a step towards ensuring that Massachusetts is the premiere state for our military members and their families.” 

Amendment 308 provides $500,000 to the Commonwealth’s Veterans’ Treatment Courts for  establishing transportation services for participants. Veterans’ Treatment Courts are designed to handle certain low-level criminal cases that involve defendants with military service who are struggling with substance use or behavioral health problems. After pleading guilty, Veterans can be referred to the Treatment Courts for intensive treatment, which includes weekly court check-ins, Vet to Vet mentorship, VA services, and more. 

“For Veterans who are facing PTSD, mental health challenges, or substance abuse issues, these courts are a god send,” said Senator Velis. “The courts have shown incredible outcomes in terms of reducing the incarceration and recidivism rates of Veterans while also helping them address issues of substance use and mental health.” 

In August Senator Velis organized a roundtable in Holyoke with District Attorneys, Trial Court Judges and Probation Officers involved in the Treatment Courts. Subsequently the Senator held a meeting with over a dozen Veteran Treatment Court mentors to continue the conversation. Senator Velis stated the number one issue that arose was the need for increased transportation resources. “Too often Veterans are unable to participate in this program because they can’t actually get themselves there and I pledged to go fight for transportation funding on Beacon Hill,” stated Senator Velis.  

In addition, Senator Velis’ amendment extending eligibility for the Commonwealth’s Medal of Liberty was adopted on Thursday as well. The Medal of Liberty is awarded to service men and women who have been killed in action or who died as a result of wounds in action. The amendment would extend the Medal of Liberty posthumously to Massachusetts service members who died as a result of a training accident in the line of duty.  

In his remarks on the floor, Senator Velis remembered Air Force Lt. Col. Morris “Moose” Fontenot Jr., a Longmeadow resident who tragically died in 2014 after his F-15C Eagle fighter jet crashed during a routine flight from Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, Massachusetts. Lt. Col. Fontenot was not and–is not–eligible for the Medal of Liberty. 

“There is an expression in the military: ‘Train as you fight, fight as you train.’ In order to be the best, you need to train to be the best, and with that training comes its own set of dangers,” said Senator Velis. “Lt. Col. Fontenot’s story is not alone; we have service members completing missions and trainings like him every single day. It is imperative that we recognize the dangers that these even routine missions present and properly honor the sacrifices of all of our service members.” 

The Senate will recess in observance of Veterans’ Day and will resume debate on the ARPA spending bill on Friday, November 12^th.  

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(BOSTON 11/12/2021) After debating more than 700 amendments, the Massachusetts State Senate passed its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending bill late Wednesday night. Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield) filed nearly 30 amendments of his own, 23 of which were adopted. By the end of the debate, Senator Velis had secured $2,000,000 for the expansion of the Treehouse Foundation, $500,000 for Veterans’ Treatment Courts, and $1,000,000 for municipalities and community organizations throughout the Second Hampden and Hampshire District.  

Founded in 2002, the Treehouse Foundation creates affordable housing and provides wraparound community supports for families adopting children from foster care, for transition age youth, and for low-income older adults. Treehouse Easthampton, their first intergenerational community, is home to approximately 125 community members, ranging in age from newborn to 93 years. The funding secured by Senator Velis would allow the Treehouse Foundation to establish two additional outcome-based, multi-cultural Treehouse communities in Massachusetts.  

“As we all know, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been felt the hardest by our most vulnerable populations. This is especially true for foster children, working families, and senior citizens,” said Senator Velis, who is Vice-Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. “The Treehouse foundation has been a constant support for these groups before and throughout the pandemic and we must continue to invest in these innovative affordable housing and family-oriented living programs that benefit our communities as a whole.” 

While the national high school graduation average for foster youth is 58%, Treehouse youth have a 95% high school graduation rate and a 100% rate of attending college or vocational training. Senator Velis noted from his visits to Treehouse Easthampton that the program also allows working parents, especially women and people of color, to engage in the workforce because they have dependable childcare. Similarly, Treehouse older adults benefit from these affordable community housing options, reporting higher overall health and quality of life.  

In addition to his amendments for the Treehouse Foundation and Veterans Treatment Courts, Senator Velis secured $1,000,000 in earmarks for 20 different local community priorities and projects in his district. This includes funding for chambers of commerce, senior centers, food pantries, college workforce development programs, and infrastructure improvements throughout the 11 communities he represents.  

“These one-time federal funds are going to be absolutely critical for our Commonwealth and I am proud that I was able to secure funding to support these important organizations across our district,” said Senator Velis. “It is my job as Senator to ensure my communities are getting their fair share of this money and I am glad that my team and I could get these amendments across the finish line.” 

The Senate and House of Representatives will now meet in conference committee to reconcile their differences in ARPA spending bills.  

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Hello Everyone,  

I hope you are all doing well and were able to take some time this week to observe and reflect on Veterans Day. This time of year, we are all reminded of the importance of recognizing those who serve our nation, and I am deeply inspired by how our communities came together today to do just that. 

I began Veterans Day by joining Agawam and West Springfield residents for a sunrise wreath laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge. I then drove over to Holyoke to join city officials and residents for a mid-morning ceremony at the Holyoke War Memorial building. Right after, I drove back to Westfield for our annual ceremony at Parker Park (shout-out to Julie Barnes and Westfield Veterans Services for organizing). I then drove back to Agawam for a ceremony at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery. Among all the great community events though, the highlight of my day was delivering over 1,500 letters from students throughout my district to residents at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. This is the second year my office has organized this initiative and I am so grateful to all the schools from Southwick, Westfield, Southampton, and beyond that participated. These letters mean the world to the residents and show just how reflective and thoughtful our students are. 

As busy as Thursday was, the day before was just as crazy as the Senate took up and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding bill. These one-time funds from the federal government are critical for our Commonwealth’s economic recovery and infrastructure. Some of the highlights include $500 million for essential frontline workers, $500 million for the unemployment insurance trust fund to provide relief to small businesses, $600 million for supportive housing and public housing authorities, and $400 million to support the behavioral health sector, an investment that is expected to help recruit and retain nearly 2,000 mental health professionals. 

I was proud that several of my amendments for Veterans, the Treehouse Foundation, and local organizations throughout my district were adopted during the Senate’s debate as well. For Veterans I was able to secure $500,000 for transportation for our Commonwealth’s Veteran Treatment Courts, an incredible program that helps so many Veterans facing PTSD, mental health challenges, or substance use issues. I was able to secure $2,000,000 for the Treehouse foundation to expand their work for foster children, working families, and low-income senior residents across the Commonwealth. For local organizations, I was able to secure $1,000,000 in local earmarks for infrastructure improvements, senior centers, chambers of commerce, and other groups throughout our district. In addition, and in recognition of Veterans Day, I filed an amendment to extend our Commonwealth’s Medal of Liberty to military members who have died as a result of training accidents. Many of you will remember Air Force Lt. Col. Morris “Moose” Fontenot Jr., a Longmeadow resident who died after his F-15C jet crashed on a routine flight from Barnes Air National Guard Base to New Orleans in 2014.  This amendment would ensure that military members like Fontenot are eligible for the Medal of Liberty and that we are properly recognizing these individual’s service. I was glad to see the amendment adopted in the bill before Thursday’s final vote.  

The rest of my week was mostly spent in the district. On Monday Representative Duffy and I hosted the Gateway Cities Legislative Caucus in Holyoke for a luncheon and walking tour of businesses in Holyoke. The Caucus focuses on supporting the unique needs of Gateway Cities like Westfield and Holyoke and I was glad we could host my colleagues here in Western Mass. 

On Friday I joined Western Mass colleagues for a tour of Riverside Industries in Easthampton, a phenomenal organization that works alongside individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to help them secure employment. I then joined Baystate Health for a virtual Veterans Day ceremony for employees and community members. I wrapped up my day at the ribbon cutting of LaFlamme’s Auto & Truck Service, Inc. On Fairfield Avenue in Westfield. It’s always great to see new businesses opening and I wish them the best of luck! 

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, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

Happy November! If you haven’t yet read up on the turkey shortage that’s happening this year, you may want to! It’s always good to prepare and make plans early.

This week was filled with ribbon cuttings! On Monday I attended the opening of Salon Sage+ in Southwick, and on Thursday I participated in Real Living Realty Professional’s opening in Agawam, and also attended the ribbon cutting of Holyoke Community College Homestead Market! The market will be the first convenience store at any community college in Massachusetts to accept federal SNAP benefits to combat the food insecurity that so many college students across the commonwealth continue to face.

On Monday, state Rep. Dan Sena and I hosted a legislative briefing on H700/SD2559, An Act Establishing an Elementary and Secondary School Robotics Grant Program. Robotics programs teach students so many valuable skills that prepare them for college STEM programs and our evolving workforce. Unfortunately, many schools are not able to offer these programs due to financial limitations. This bill aims to increase robotics and STEM participation in public and charter schools, specifically prioritizing schools in Western Mass. and ones without an existing robotics program.

I wanted to wish my sincerest congratulations to Mayor-elect Mike McCabe, Mayor-elect Joshua A. Garcia, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, and Mayor William Sapelli on their election victories on Tuesday. I look forward to working alongside them all to represent and advocate for our cities. It’s been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Mayor Don Humason and Mayor Murphy and their dedication and service to our communities will be remembered for years to come.

On Thursday, I was joined by Holyoke city officials at the Veterans’ Memorial Park to present $50,000 in FY ’22 state funding for the restoration of the Lady Liberty statue. The statue is a memorial to the 55 young men from Holyoke who died fighting in the Civil War, and I was proud I could secure the funding in the budget debate last spring.

On Friday, my office held office hours at Southwick’s Council on Aging. Thank you to everyone that participated. If you didn’t get a chance to come by, I’d like to extend the invitation to my next office hours, which will be held in Chicopee on Monday, Nov. 8, at the River Mills Senior Center. Please feel free to drop by or call 617-722-1415 to make an appointment. Later in the afternoon, I organized a local farm tour for myself, Reps. Pease, Sabadosa, Duffy, and Boldyga to discuss challenges farmers in our communities face. Joining us were members of American Farmland Trust, Holyoke Food and Equity Collective, and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA). We visited E. Cecchi Farm in Feeding Hills, Fletcher Farms in Southampton, and Glendale Ridge Vineyard in Southampton. Farms are such an important part of our local economy and community, and we must do everything in our power to support them

Next week the Senate will be busy debating and working on the American Rescue Plan Act funding. My office has been busy meeting with local communities and organizations to hear their needs, and I look forward to advocating on the Senate floor for our district to get our fair share of this one-time funding. Engage with our social media accounts or look forward to next week’s update to learn about the proposed details of this funding.

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 john.velis@masenate.gov or 413-572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter.

Sincerely,

John Velis

Happy Halloween everyone! 

I hope you’re all doing well and that you stayed safe during the storms this past week. I want to thank all the public works employees, first responders, and municipal officials who have been working so diligently this week to keep our power on and roads safe.  

Important: All eligible MA residents can access COVID-19 vaccine booster shots in accordance with updated guidance from the CDC. Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson booster are available near you. Learn more and check on your eligibility status at mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine 

One of my highlights of this week was–without a doubt–reading “House Mouse and Senate Mouse” by Peter Barnes aloud with Mrs. Ward’s 4th grade class at Southampton Road Elementary School in Westfield. It was a pleasure to meet some of the future leaders of our community. I then switched age groups Monday afternoon for a meeting with MassDOT Aeronautics about Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CounterUAS). For anyone that may not know, CounterUAS refers to systems that are used to detect and/or intercept unmanned aircraft systems while in flight. I have my own experience with UAS from my time in Afghanistan and know how important it is that we develop strong systems to monitor and patrol their usage. I’m looking forward to strengthening my relationship with MassDOT and working on this issue as Chair of the Aviation Caucus. 

The Senate’s formal session to finalize redistricting for new districts filled my Wednesday. The reality is that populations in our Commonwealth shifted east over the last 10 years. As a result, districts in Western Massachusetts, including mine, now must shift east as well to gain enough population. It has been a true honor to represent Southwick, Tolland, and Granville. I have formed strong and meaningful relationships with so many local officials and residents over my time as Senator, and I will continue to zealously advocate for these communities however I can until the end of this session. By moving east, my district will be adding West Springfield, a community I have great personal and professional connections to. I am excited for the opportunity to represent the town and learn from residents about the challenges they face and how I can best support them. 

On Thursday I joined Senator Gomez and Senator Lesser’s team in Chicopee to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new mobile food pantry at Lorraine’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry! The mobile food pantry will plan to have 12-16 stops in Chicopee per month and is made possible from a generous donation from Theory Wellness. Food insecurity in our communities has only grown during the pandemic and initiatives like this will help our food pantries meet people struggling where they are at.  

I began Friday morning joining Mike Tourville, author of “Voices from The Fallen: True stories of Addiction, Grief, Recovery, and Courage” on his podcast, “Healing Voices Project” to discuss substance use in our communities as well as legislative initiatives to combat the epidemic and support those struggling. Later in the day I had a call with Mike Tyron of Western Mass Emergency Medical Services to talk about EMS services in our region and to listen to the needs of our EMS workers. Finally, I joined the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and the Western Massachusetts Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to discuss supports for Holyoke businesses and the individuals in our community that make them run. 

This week the Massachusetts School Building Authority voted in favor of the Franklin Avenue Elementary School project and moved it into the next phase! This is extremely exciting for Westfield, and I was glad to advocate alongside Representative Pease and city officials during the MSBA’s meeting this week.  

Our county has been filled will spooky events over the past couple of days like Chicopee’s Spooktacular and Holyoke Community College’s Trunk or Treat. In addition West Springfield Park & Recreation Department is hosting a Trick or Treat trail today, and Westfield hosted it’s 28th annual Downtown Merchants Trick or Treating this Friday. Be sure to run to the store and fill up on a good assortment of candy for all our trick or treaters, and for those with trick or treaters of their own, bundle them up! 

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, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

I hope you’re all doing well and have been able to enjoy some of the nice weather we had this week. This was an especially busy and exciting week in the Legislature as my bill, An Act relative to military spouse-licensure portability, education and enrollment of dependents, unanimously passed the Senate on Thursday afternoon. Otherwise known as the SPEED Act, the bill supports military families who relocate to the Commonwealth and I was proud to speak on the Senate floor and see it pass.  

Massachusetts has always been a leader in terms of caring for active service members and Veterans, but I strongly believe we need to do more for the families of service members who also call Massachusetts home. Military families move an average of 6-9 times throughout their service member’s career and this uprooting can lead to academic gaps for children and periods of time for spouses where they are without a source of income. 

The SPEED Act speeds up the professional licensure process for military spouses to ensure they can continue their careers, allows for advanced and virtual enrollment for military children to resolve disruptions in education, provides in-state tuition continuity for military-connected college students, and establishes a Purple Star Campus designation to identify public schools that show a major commitment to military families. 

Anyone who has worn the uniform or has a family member who has worn the uniform knows that the sacrifice of military service goes far beyond the individual service member. This bill is our Commonwealth taking care of our thousands of military families and I am grateful to all my colleagues for supporting it. Now the bill will go to the House of Representatives for their consideration.  

Although the SPEED Act kept me busy in Boston this week, I still had a number of events in the district as well. On Tuesday I joined Local 104 for the exciting ribbon cutting of their new state-of-the-art training facility, Union Hall, on Westfield Road in Holyoke! Back in 2018, the union ran out of space in Chicopee to accommodate the amount of new interest in trades. The new building in Holyoke has a training facility for hands-on indoor instruction, welding shops, and classrooms for the evening apprenticeship program available for individuals who work during the day. Expanding trade and skills programs in our region is so important and it was great to be a part of this exciting ribbon cutting.  

I began Wednesday morning at the West of the River Chamber of Commerce’s legislative breakfast. It was great to see businesses from throughout Agawam and West Springfield in attendance and share updates about the Legislature’s work to support small businesses. This wasn’t my only Chamber meeting of the week, as I also joined the Westfield Chamber of Commerce on Friday for a great event at the Tekoa Country Club. Our region’s Chambers do a tremendous job of advocating for the businesses they represent and it is a priority of mine to stay connected and continue to work alongside them.  

Today is ARToberFEST in downtown Westfield! From 10am to 5pm, you can explore downtown Westfield and emerge yourself in FREE community art and cultural experiences. Presented by ArtWorks Westfield, this event has dozens of artists along Elm Street, over 20 authors and writers on the Green, and performance dance and music all around. I encourage you all to check the event out! 

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, where you can also sign up for my newsletter.  

Sincerely,   

John Velis