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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 

(BOSTON – 10/21/2021) The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday passed An Act relative to military spouse-licensure portability, education and enrollment of dependents, or SPEED Act, to support military families who relocate to the Commonwealth by providing career stability for the spouses of service members and quality education for their children.

“Supporting our brave service members who call Massachusetts home means lifting up the families who stand behind them,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This bill would eliminate barriers which make it difficult for military spouses to gain employment despite holding a valid license or certificate, and would also strengthen educational supports for the children of service members who relocate to the Commonwealth. I want to thank Senator Velis and his staff for their hard work on this bill, my colleagues in the Senate for their support and military families across Massachusetts for their contributions to our Commonwealth and sacrifices for our country.”

“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,” said Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “By passing this legislation, we are saying to these families that we understand their challenges, that we recognize the great sacrifices that they have made, and that we are committed to doing everything we can to support them. I am grateful to the Senate President and Chairman Rodrigues for their leadership and understanding of the challenges military families face, and to all my colleagues for supporting this important legislation.”

The legislation would speed up the professional licensure process for military spouses to ensure they can continue their careers, allow for advanced and virtual enrollment for military children to resolve disruptions in education, provide in-state tuition continuity for military-connected college students, and establish a Purple Star Campus designation to identify public schools that show a major commitment to military families.

The SPEED Act would also help Massachusetts meet criteria used by the Department of Defense and military officials when considering basing assignments and federal investments for military installations.

On average, military members receive new orders to relocate every 24-36 months. This uprooting not only affects the service member, but it also affects their entire family as well. Military spouses and children move an average of six to nine times over the course of their service member’s career. About 185,000 military children move between schools annually and miss important registration and application periods. As a result, they may have to shift their planned course of study, take courses during summer school, or even be forced to graduate later. In addition, military-connected students also face social and emotional challenges that include leaving supportive friends and activities to start over at a new school.

Frequent moving pushes many military spouses to seek out portable professions, which often require a state-issued license. The current lengthy process of reapplying for licensing can lead military families to lose a second source of income and push many service members to considering leaving the military.

Components of the SPEED Act include:

Military Spouse-Licensure Portability

• Under this legislation, the Department of Occupational Licensure and Massachusetts Boards of Registration must accept a spouse’s application for licensure or notify of them of what criteria they did not meet within 30 days of applying, a timeframe recommended by the Department of Defense.
• The SPEED Act would codify this requirement into law.

Expedited Military Spouse Teacher Licenses

• Teachers are the most prevalent profession among military spouses.
• The SPEED Act will require the Commissioner of Education to issue military spouses teaching certificates if the spouse meets certain requirements, such as holding a valid teaching license from another state.

Advanced and Virtual Enrollment for Military Children

• The SPEED Act would waive proof of residency requirements and allow military families to register and enroll when their service member first receives relocation orders.
• Military children who are transferring mid-semester would be allowed to enroll in and attend one of the Commonwealth’s virtual schools to ensure there is no disruption in their education.

Purple Star Campus Designation

• The Purple Star Campus Program, administered by the Department of Education, would identify public schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military.
• To receive the designation, schools would have to meet a number of different criteria, including designating school staff as a point of contact for military students and families, designating a page on its website with resources for military families, and maintaining a transition program for military students.
• The Purple Star School Program not only encourages schools and districts to increase their supports for military families, but it also helps families identify schools that are best prepared to meet their needs.

In-State Tuition Continuity for Military-Connected College Students

• Currently, a child or spouse of an active-duty service member in Massachusetts can lose in-state tuition eligibility if the military sponsor is assigned to move out of the state.
• The SPEED Act, through passage of an amendment during debate, would also ensure that a military-connected student receiving a letter of acceptance shall be deemed an in-state resident for purposes of determining tuition and fees

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

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October is upon us! I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend with your dear ones, enjoy it to the fullest.

I began this past week by meeting on Monday with Rep. Duffy and CEO Jay Breines of the Holyoke Health Center to discuss how the center is operating. The bulk of my day, though, focused on a hearing with the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery on bills related to parity and equity for people who use substances. I’m honored to be working as vice chair of the committee, and have been meeting with many addiction experts, medical professionals, and individuals impacted by substance use to help inform my work. Later in the afternoon, I had a call with Mike Tourville, the local author of “Voices from the Fallen: True Stories of Addiction, Grief, Recovery and Courage.” The book will take you on an intimate journey inside the lives of people who have experienced addiction, relapse, and recovery.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, educators across the commonwealth are begin recognized by Latinos for Education, a group focused on recognizing the contributions that teachers make the lives of Latino students and families throughout the commonwealth. Amy Piedra, an incredible teacher who has worked in the Holyoke Public Schools system for over 20 years, is among those being recognized. I was thrilled to visit her alongside Rep. Duffy on Tuesday in Holyoke to present her with a Senate citation and thank her for all she has done for students in our communities.

Wednesday was another busy day, as I was joined by the secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Mike Kennealy, and Undersecretary Jennifer Maddox, for an affordable housing tour in Holyoke. We toured the Appleton Mills, Lyman Terrace and the South Holyoke Project that have been made possible by a partnership between the state and the Holyoke Housing Authority. In a similar vein, I joined state and city officials in Easthampton on Friday to look at possible Mass Housing Development sites there as well. It’s so important we continue to expand affordable housing in our communities, and I was grateful to be a part of both of these events.

On Friday, I also joined the Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers for their annual picnic at Rockwood Farms in Granville! The importance of our country’s farmers goes far beyond making sure there’s food on the table, and I was glad to stop by and talk to farmers from throughout our district. I wrapped up my Friday with a legislative dinner with fire chiefs from throughout Hampshire County to discuss the issues they face and their needs from our communities.

If you’ve been craving a sweet treat lately, Chrissy G’s bakery on Elm Street in Westfield officially opens today! I’m looking forward to the ribbon cutting and I encourage you all to check out the bakery soon. At night, Westfield’s annual fireworks celebration will be held at the Westfield South Middle School field. As many of you know, Westfield was unable to offer this celebration of community and country the past two years as the coronavirus impacted planning and limited gatherings. I’m thankful we’ve surpassed this as a community and now have a full calendar of events through October!

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

Hello Everyone! 

I hope you’re all doing well. It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through October…Halloween is just around the corner! 

I began the week with a hearing for the Joint Committee of the Judiciary. I am a Committee member, but also testified during this hearing on my bill, S1153, An Act to safely reduce the use of cash bail. We all understand the issues associated with cash bail in our Commonwealth’s judicial system. As we work towards moving our Commonwealth away from reliance on cash bail though, we must ensure that we are doing so in a safe way. By updating the list of “dangerousness-eligible” crimes, making it a penalty to break court conditions, and empowering police to monitor court conditions, this bill will allow our court system to reduce the use of cash bail while ensuring that dangerous individuals remain in jail. I am looking forward to working with committee members on this legislation as it moves forward. 

On Tuesday, I met with Westfield’s Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and local officials to discuss the new elementary school that the City is looking to build and possible funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority. It was a great conversation and I look forward to working with local officials as we move this project forward.  

I began my Wednesday morning in Westfield for the grand opening of the Building Futures Child Care Expansion at the Greater Westfield Boys & Girls Club. This expansion will increase programming spots for so many children and families and is a result of a strong collaboration between state, local, and community partners. Later on in the day, I joined some of my Western Mass colleagues for a meeting with the Connecticut River Cleanup Committee and local water department officials. It is critical that our sewer and water systems function properly and we discussed how ARPA funding may be helpful. 

On Friday I joined Holyoke City officials and community members to celebrate the beginning of construction of South Holyoke Homes, a 12-unit affordable housing building on South East Street that has been made possible with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. It is so important that we continue to develop affordable housing units for our communities and I was glad to attend the event. Later in the day, I had a virtual meeting with the TreeHouse Foundation in Easthampton, a community organization that works to support foster and adopted children throughout our entire region. I visited the organization over the summer and know how invaluable the youth programs are first hand. I look forward to supporting their mission and work.  

Today is Doors Open Holyoke! This is a rare opportunity to discover architectural and cultural gems in Holyoke and see behind doors that are rarely open to the public, all for FREE. I am thrilled to be partnering with Representative Duffy to sponsor free rides on Holyoke’s historic Merry-Go-Round from 2-4PM, one of many events taking place. Check out www.doorsopenholyoke.com for a full list of activities.  

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

(BOSTON 10/6/2021) On Wednesday, October 6^th, the Massachusetts State Senate unanimously adopted an amendment put forward by Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) that ensures a streamlined absentee voting process for Massachusetts residents who are serving in our armed forces overseas. The amendment was adopted during the Senate’s debate on S2545, An Act fostering voter opportunities, trust, equity and security. 

Senator Velis, who chairs the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, noted in his speech that he himself voted from overseas during the 2018 mid-term elections when he was stationed in Afghanistan. He stated that the current process is cumbersome and overly complex.  

“I remember the excitement and great pride I felt voting during the 2018 mid-term elections from Afghanistan. At the same, I worried about how many of my fellow service-members might be missing out on this opportunity and wondered why this process could not be simpler,” stated Senator Velis. “The right to vote is a fundamental right, but overseas service members are burdened by many logistical and operational obstacles that impact their right to vote.” 

The current process for a military member overseas who wants to vote starts with an absentee application to their local clerk. Then, depending on the type of election, their ballot is either mailed or emailed to them overseas. The military member must then print out the ballot, fill it out, and then either fax it back to their clerk, scan it to email back, or mail it. Once it is received, an election receiver will then copy the military members name and votes onto another physical ballot before it may be counted.   

Senator Velis noted that printers, scanners, and fax machines are not always available to military  members. Many times, service-members do not have functioning printers at their installations, or are out on missions that take them away from their installations all together. 

This process also puts an additional toll on local clerks and election officials who must communicate and work with each individual military member overseas during an already incredibly busy time. Copying over the names and votes of military members adds another step to the elongated process and restricts a service-members’ privacy while voting. 

Senator Velis’ amendment will allow service members overseas to vote through a secure online portal. Fifteen states in the United States already allow online voting portals or mobile applications as a way for overseas service members. Service members will no longer need to find a printer or fax, worry about the back and forth communications with their clerk, or wonder about the privacy of their votes. It will be more efficient and cut out red tape while still ensuring safe and secure voting. 

“When you are in the military, the focus is always on the mission at hand. We —as a Commonwealth—have an obligation to make this process as easy as possible so that our military members can exercise their right to vote and get back to their mission,” stated Senator Velis. “Anything that we can do to make that voting process for our service-members overseas more efficient and more timely, we need to do. At the most fundamental level, this amendment is about making it easier to vote for those who have given us our right to vote.” 

The amendment is part of the final language of S2545. The bill will now go to the House of Representatives for their consideration.  

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Happy October Everyone!

It was great to see so many of you at the Big E this week. I’m sure plenty of you, just like me, very much missed the exposition last year. While my heart was happy to be back, my stomach might have had a little too much between the waffle burgers and the maple bacon mac and cheese (both of which I still highly recommend if you go this weekend). I was honored to be invited to both the Agawam Day and Westfield Day, and am already looking forward to next year’s fair.

This week was jam-packed with committee work and hearings, as well. Monday, I chaired a hearing with the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery, where we heard testimony related to harm reduction and racial justice legislation. Tuesday was a hearing with the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. Wednesday morning brought with it a hearing for the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, which I am the vice chair of. Later on Wednesday, I also chaired a hearing with the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, where we discussed potential reforms for the governance and organizational structure of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Now that the funding for a new physical building has been secured, our focus in the Legislature is on other reforms that must be implemented for the Soldiers’ Home. Much of this work will go through the Veterans and Federal Affairs committee. Fall is typically a very busy time for committee work and we are in full swing over here at the State House.

Westfield also welcomed two new businesses this week! I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cuttings for Heka Inc., a new cannabis dispensary, and First Choice Storage, a new storage business. I wish the best to both of these enterprises and I’m proud to see that new businesses are opening in our city as we move out of the pandemic.

Now that Halloween is just around the corner, the Old Burying Ground has started one of Westfield’s spookier New England traditions, its haunted cemetery tours. Another event that was sadly canceled last year due to COVID-19 is finally back and I am happy to actually play a part this year. I will be playing the role of Ezra Clapp, a man who built a home that was used as a tavern and meeting place for Westfield patriots during the Revolutionary War. It is said that the famous Gen. Henry Knox stayed in this tavern while hauling the captured English cannons from Fort Ticonderoga, N.Y., all the way to George Washington in Cambridge in 1776. If you’re looking for something spooky and educational to do with the family, the tours are this weekend only and tickets can be purchased for $10.

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

(BOSTON 9/24/2021) On Monday, September 24^th, the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held a public hearing on legislation related to services for Veterans and their family members in the Commonwealth. Senator John Velis (D-Westfield), the Senate Chair of the committee, began the hearing by noting that several Gold Star Family Members would be testifying during the hearing on legislation that impacts them. 

“Today we will be hearing from some of the most selfless and courageous individuals on our planet, Gold Star Family Members,” stated Senator Velis. “We will be beginning with their testimony, and I want to personally thank them for their sacrifice and for being with us here today.” 

The family members testified in support of S2434/H3668, An Act increasing annuity for disabled Veterans and Gold Star families, which was filed by Senator Velis and Representative Daniel J Hunt. The bill would increase the annuity for disabled Veterans and Gold Star families from $2,000 to $3,000 and would repeal a statute that restricts surviving spouses from getting their annuity if they remarry.  

Several Gold Star wives testified that the current statute restricting spouses from receiving their annuity if they remarry is cruel and unfair. They noted the pain their families have been through since losing their loved ones, and the challenges they face in trying to find happiness while honoring the memory of their loved ones. Remarrying does not negate the sacrifices they made, and should not diminish the services provided to them by the Commonwealth they stated. 

“I will always be a Gold Star wife,” said Erin Vasselian, one of the participants who testified during the hearing.  

Other Gold Star Family Members noted that the annuity they receive allows them to support their families and help their children continue their education. While they stated that the current amount is an enormous help, they stressed that they still face numerous financial challenges with the loss of their loved ones.  

“This bill is absolutely a priority on our Committee’s agenda,” said Senator Velis after the hearing. “These families have made the ultimate sacrifice and it is on us —as a Commonwealth—to take care of them.” 

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(BOSTON 9/14/2021) On Tuesday, September 14^th, Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) submitted testimony to the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, in support of H3332/H3345/S2159, An Act relative to the proper disposal of miniatures. The legislation would encourage and incentivize residents to dispose of miniature “nip” bottles properly by placing a five deposit on them. In his testimony, Senator Velis highlighted the work of Agawam resident Jack Coughlin on this issue, who tragically passed away last April after years of community service and environmental advocacy.  

“Jack had endless energy and spent most of his retired years walking through Agawam and the surrounding communities, picking up these “nip” bottles and ensuring they were disposed of properly,” stated Senator Velis in his letter to the Committee. “While he was known to organize community clean ups and recruit volunteers, more often than not Jack would simply go out on his own and collect as many “nips” as he could himself, often walking up to ten miles a day. Jack didn’t just believe that a single person could make a difference, he proved it.” 

Mr. Coughlin was a resident of Agawam who was known far and wide for his commitment to community service and dedication to cleaning up local green spaces. He volunteered on local projects throughout Agawam and beyond and was a member of numerous community organizations. One day last January, while picking up roadside trash alongside Mill Street in Agawam, Mr. Coughlin was struck by a passing car. He suffered multiple fractures and was left paralyzed. On April 17^th, at the age of 78, he died at the Berkshire Medical Center in Western Massachusetts after being hospitalized for three months.  

Senator Velis noted that Mr. Coughlin was a staunch advocate for including miniature bottles in amending Massachusetts bottle deposit laws. He regularly participated in meetings with local groups and municipal boards, and came to the State House multiple times to testify in support of this legislation. 

“This legislation is a good idea for so many reasons. It promotes recycling, reduces trash throughout our streets and roadways, and helps protect our environment and precious natural resources,” stated Senator Velis. “Jack Coughlin understood the pressing environmental issues we face and he understood that all of us can play a role in keeping our communities clean. For him, that meant going out each and every day to physically pick up the trash that others had left behind. For us as lawmakers, that means getting important legislation like this written into law.” 

Now that the public hearing for the legislation has been held the Committee will consider testimony and deliberate before deciding the outcome of the bill.  

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(BOSTON 7/6/2021) On Tuesday, July 6^th, the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held a public hearing on legislation related to families of military members in Massachusetts. The committee is chaired by Representative Paul McMurtry (D-Dedham) and Senator John C. Velis ( D-Westfield).  

One of the bills heard was SB2433, An Act relative to military spouse-licensure portability, education and enrollment of dependents. Otherwise known as the SPEED Act, the legislation was filed by Chairman Velis to help military families in their transition to Massachusetts.  

The bill would speed up the state professional licensure process for spouses of military members by eliminating current cumbersome processes and requiring the Division of Professional Licensure to respond to an application within 30 days, the timeframe recommended by the Department of Defense. This would make it easier for spouses to find new jobs upon arriving in Massachusetts. 

The legislation also supports children of service members as well. By allowing rolling and virtual enrollment for students of military families who are moving to the Commonwealth, the legislation ensures that children will not miss any school because of their transition. The legislation also ensures that military children in college in Massachusetts will continue to receive in-state tuition rates regardless of if their military parent is reassigned out of the Commonwealth. 

Lastly the legislation creates a Purple Star School Program to designate Massachusetts schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to military students and families by meeting specific state designated requirements. The Purple Star School Program, which was started in Ohio,  encourages school districts to increase their supports for military families and helps families identify the schools that are best prepared to meet their needs. 

In September of 2019, the Secretary of Defense defined a fourth line of effort to the National Defense Strategy to support the wellbeing of military families. Military spouse licensure was designated as a key initiative in this effort. The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act requires the Department of Defense and each of the military services to produce annual basing decision scorecards at the state and installation level considering military family readiness issues, with one of the top criteria being interstate portability of licensure credentials. 

In his testimony to the committee, Chairman Velis noted that the Department of Defense looks closely at these issue when considering whether a state should be selected for a mission assignment. 

“These changes will ensure that we are doing everything in our power to ease transitions for these families who are already sacrificing so much for us. These changes are also an important signal to the Department of Defense that our military installations are primed with support and that we are a viable state for future investments,” stated Chairman Velis. “Part of any evaluation on Massachusetts military installations, like the ongoing Airforce evaluation of Barnes Air National Guard Base in Westfield, includes looking at how our Commonwealth supports military families. Projects like these bring enormous economic development and federal investments to our Commonwealth and this legislation will only improve our chances of being selected.” 

Christopher Arnold, Northeast Region Liaison for the Department of Defense-State Liaison Office, testified in support of the legislation during the hearing.  “Massachusetts is a state that has long been a home – permanent and temporary – to the worthiest men and women in the United States military who serve and sacrifice for our country,” stated Arnold. “This impressive legislation would make Massachusetts a nationwide leader in addressing quality-of-life issues for military families.” 

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Happy Autumn everyone,  

With the passing of the equinox this last week and summer being officially over,  things are starting to pick back up in the State House.  To start this week, the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee visited Hanscom Air Force Base in Middlesex County where we received a briefing from the Massachusetts National Guard about their initiatives as well as cyber capabilities.  As Senate chair of this committee, it’s imperative that I know what the Guard needs as well as how they’re functioning.  I can also say that as a major in the Army reserves, it’s good to see how the other branches of our military are working.  

The Veterans and Federal Affairs committee also held a hearing on Friday at the State house where we heard testimony on legislation related to services for Veterans and family members throughout the Commonwealth. A number of Gold Star Family Members testified on legislation that directly impacts them and their testimony was powerful and moving.  Now that hearing has been held, I will be working with committee members on this critical legislation in the coming weeks.  

I also got my hands dirty this week with Governor Baker and DCR Director Jim Montgomery at a tree planting in General Shepard Park in downtown Westfield.  This was a part of the “Greening Gateway Cities” 30,000 Tree Planting Program, which aims to regreen midsize cities across the Commonwealth.  Trees mitigate stormwater runoff, reduce heating/cooling energy use, clean our air, and just plain make our city look good.  I look forward to more of these plantings in our Gateway Cities as the program continues.   

I’m always proud to attend new business openings and I’m excited to announce the grand opening of Giftology on Route 20 in Westfield.  This store specializes in gifts made by local artists for every occasion.  Mayor Humason and I were lucky enough to be invited to the ribbon cutting and I’m already looking forward to all the anniversaries I’ll be attending as they become a staple in our community.  

This week was also the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce Breakfast.  It’s been almost two years since the onset of the pandemic and our small businesses have born the brunt of the resulting economic decline.  Thankfully, we’re starting to show signs of recovery, but we’re not out of the woods yet or anywhere near where we were before the pandemic.  The Chamber allows our local business to work together to grow and their annual breakfast provides a forum for their concerns and struggles.  As a legislator, it’s important for myself and my colleagues to work alongside the business community so that we can create policy that benefits the entire community. This years breakfast was a huge success and I thank the Chamber for putting it on.   

The Big E is finally back!. After two years away, one of Western Mass’s largest economic driver is finally open again.  I’ll be seeing many of you this week at the Westfield Day parade on Thursday.  Feel free to say hello if you see me and be sure to enjoy the rest of the Eastern States Exposition safely and responsibly.  

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