Category: Uncategorized

Hello Everyone, 

I hope that you all had a pleasant long weekend and the wet weather didn’t do too much to dampen your holiday spirits! While less than ideal for outdoor gatherings, the recent rain is great for our local farms and greenery. On the Fourth itself I joined community members for the annual Wyben 4^th of July of Parade and I want to thank all the organizers who make this great event possible each year.  

After enjoying the break ourselves, my office got back into the swing of things on Tuesday with another busy summer week. Tuesday I went down to the State House where I co-chaired the first hearing for the Joint committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. At the hearing, I was thankful for the opportunity to testify in support of the SPEED act, a bill devoted to supporting the families of military service members who are moving to Massachusetts. This key piece of legislation would support the spouses of military members by accelerating MA’s professional licensure procedure so that they are not left unable to work for an extended period of time after moving to the Commonwealth. In order to support the children in these families, the bill would allow advance enrollment for students so that they will not have to miss days of school. I believe that, in order to uphold our state’s commitment to supporting the work of military members, we must pass this legislation. Furthermore, the passage of this bill would have the added benefit of signaling to the Federal Department of Defense and military officials that Massachusetts military bases, like Barnes in Westfield, are well supported and are viable for federal investments. 

Also on Tuesday Senator Gomez presented a joint Senate citation from our offices to Chicopee Police Officers Wanat and Delarosa, who heroically saved a little girl’s life after nearly drowning on June 12^th. While I could not attend the ceremony due to the Veterans hearing in Boston, I am grateful for Senator Gomez for presenting the citation. Thank you to Officers Wanat and Delarosa, and all the police officers in our communities, for all that you do to keep us safe every single day.  

On Wednesday I had a great time getting interviewed by a student from Westfield State, Lyric Lamafdelaine. We chatted about how I got into politics, and it was my pleasure to be able to help out with their school project. Afterward, I attended a hearing for the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities where we went over several different pieces of legislation. I strongly believe in the importance of the work done by this committee and I am honored to serve as its vice chair. 

On Friday I had several great meetings with constituents in our district. One expressed their hopes of starting a business in the area, and the other shared plans to join the Airforce, allowing me the opportunity to talk a bit about my own military experience. I always enjoy the chance to speak with residents and hear about their ambitions and contributions to our community.  

I finished out the week on a saddening yet significant note at the 75 year memorial of the B-17 crash at Mount Tom in Holyoke. For those who may be unfamiliar with the tragic event, 25 servicemen returning home from WWII lost their lives in 1946 when their B-17 plane crashed into Mount Tom. Congressman Neal, Representative Duffy, Mayor Murphy, and I attended the memorial event alongside family members and the Mount Tom Memorial Committee. We remembered and honored those aboard the plane for their service to our nation. We continue to be thankful for all the brave American men and women who put their lives in danger every day in order to protect our citizens. 

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: (617)-722-1415, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

We have reached the month of July, and it has certainly been feeling like summer outside– I hope that everyone has managed to stay cool during this very warm week! I also want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! Unlike last year, we can be grateful for the opportunity to have festive barbeques and poolside gatherings, surrounded by friends and loved ones. I have been looking forward to this patriotic weekend, and I hope that you all get the chance to enjoy it! 

This past week was a busy one and I was able to attend various events and meetings. On Tuesday, I was glad for the chance to speak with Department of Defense Officials about the SPEED Act that I filed in support of military families. This bill will help to make transitions easier for military families who are moving frequently by speeding up licensure processes for spouses and allowing advance enrollment for students to prevent them missing days of school.  

On Wednesday I attended a tour of the Lyman Terrace in Holyoke where I was joined by Senator Markey and Holyoke officials. It was exciting to see how the structure of the low-income housing complex is being updated to be more protective of our environment. Projects like these, especially when it comes to moving toward more sustainable models of living, are so important for our communities! 

On Thursday I was able to be at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the River Valley Co-op in Easthampton. For those of you who may not be familiar, the River Valley Co-op started in Northampton, and the Easthampton store is its second location. The Co-op specializes in local fresh food and groceries, and the stores are welcome to everyone, not just those with co-op ownership, making this new location very beneficial to those in the Easthampton community. 

This was not the only ribbon-cutting ceremony I attended this week, as Crystals of Mind in Westfield also had its grand opening. On Friday, I attended the event with Mayor Humason. The store features many items including crystals, handmade jewelry, soaps, and candles. I have faith that this store will be a welcome addition to Westfield. 

On Friday, I met with Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal. We discussed the $100,000 Senate budget amendment I secured for a childcare program at HCC. This program will support students who are parents, helping them to earn their degrees while having a safe, reliable place for their children when in classes. I am hopeful that this program will be a great help to these students, and I was grateful for the opportunity to discuss it with President Royal. 

To finish out a busy week, I had a great time celebrating the 4th at the Granville Driving Parade on Saturday. After the event, we were graced with a musical performance at the Town Green by “”Bad News Jazz & Blues Orchestra.” It was wonderful to be out in the community and hear some music. Not having these valuable community events for such a long time was truly difficult, and I am so glad for the opportunity to connect with residents in our 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, where you can also sign up for my newsletter. 

Sincerely, 

John Velis 

BOSTON (07/15/2021) — The Massachusetts Legislature on Thursday passed a bill that will invest $350 million in municipal transportation and selected statewide transportation infrastructure projects.

The bill, An Act financing improvements to municipal roads and bridges, authorizes $200 million for municipal roads and bridges through the chapter 90 program and $150 million to support statewide projects to address congestion, support electric vehicle infrastructure, prioritize bus infrastructure, and improve public transit.

“As travel returns to pre-COVID levels, our transportation system has a vital role to play in getting us back to better,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Chapter 90 proposal advanced by the Senate and House today authorizes $200 million for roads and bridges across our state and makes additional investments in emerging electric vehicle infrastructure which will greatly benefit the Commonwealth’s residents. Passage of this legislation is critical to maintaining a transportation system that is sustainable, reliable, accessible and climate resilient. I am grateful to Senators Rodrigues, Boncore, and Feeney as well as Speaker Mariano, Rep. Michlewitz, Rep. Straus, Gregoire and their staffs for their collaboration.”

“I would like to thank Chairs Michlewitz, Straus and Gregoire, as well as Senate President Spilka and her colleagues, for their work on the Chapter 90 bill,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “This bill not only authorizes $200 million for roads and bridges but advances our priorities by investing in projects that municipalities will use to improve our transportation system, such as increased access to transit and specifically buses.”

“As we continue building back to our new better, Chapter 90 funding remains an important mechanism through which the state can directly support cities and towns in Massachusetts,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D -Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka and Senators Boncore and Feeney for their leadership, and to my colleagues in the Legislature for their urgency to direct funding to projects that will make a real difference in their communities and strengthen our local infrastructure across the Commonwealth.” 

“These critical funds will ensure that our transportation needs are addressed all across the Commonwealth” said Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Chair of the House Committee on Ways & Means (D-Boston). “I want to thank the Speaker, Chairs Straus and Gregoire, and our colleagues in the Senate for the hard work they put into this legislation, and for continuing to prioritize out transportation system”. 

“It’s so important that we continue to invest in the roads and bridges and infrastructure in our communities that all of our residents rely on,” stated Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “These funds will have bring much needed improvements to our transportation system and and have a really tangible impact on our quality of life.”

“Public transportation is a public good. The $350 million investment is among the largest Chapter 90 bond bills to date and represents the Legislature’s commitment to safe roads, reliable bridges, and modernized transit infrastructure,” said Senate Transportation Committee Chair Joe Boncore (D-Winthrop).  “In addition to funding shovel-ready projects, the Chapter 90 bond bill makes statewide investments support public transit, address traffic congestion, and advance electric vehicle infrastructure and fleets.” 

“This legislation recognizes that in addition to the backlog of local roads in need of repair, there is an unmet need  for local projects that benefit all modes of transportation, and I am pleased that the legislature was able to provide municipal assistance for road work and expanded funding for towns and cities to advance public transit and reduce congestion,” said Rep. Bill Straus (D-Mattapoisett), House chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. 

“The funding provided through this critical legislation allows our cities and towns the ability to move forward on the necessary repairs and improvements to keep our roads, bridges and infrastructure safe for the residents of our communities,” said Representative Gregoire, co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Bonding, Capital Expenditures and State Assets . “I am grateful to Speaker Mariano for the opportunity to play a small part in its passage.”

“The members of the Senate Republican Caucus are pleased to join with our colleagues in passing Chapter 90 legislation that will provide valuable resources to our cities and towns to construct and maintain the roads and bridges all of us depend on every day. Road paving, bridge construction and repair, and similar projects are important to our economy, our safety, and our quality of life, but their costs can be a major challenge for municipal budgets,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R- Gloucester). “The spending authorizations contained in this bill will provide the resources and support needed urgently to respond to that challenge and make those projects possible this year.”

“The long-standing state-municipal partnership established under the Chapter 90 program is critical to helping cities and towns meet their transportation infrastructure needs. Today’s agreement continues the House and Senate’s ongoing commitment to support this important road and bridge program. Combined with the funding increases for targeted municipal transit-related grants, this bond bill will allow cities and towns to focus on addressing some of their most critical transportation needs,” stated House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading).

The bill includes the following components:

• $200 million in chapter 90 funding for cities and towns for projects to maintain, improve, and repair roadways, bridges, sidewalks, and bikeways.

• $25 million for the Municipal Small Bridge Program to support replacement or preservation of structurally deficient local bridges critical to local communities and not eligible for existing federal aid programs.

• $25 million for the Local Bottleneck Program to address localized traffic bottlenecks and invest in infrastructure to reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and reduce idling and greenhouse gas emissions.

• $25 million for Electric Vehicle (EV) infrastructure to support municipalities and regional transit authorities in their efforts to install EV infrastructure and purchase EVs and zero-emission vehicles. 

• $25 million for Transit-Supportive Infrastructure to create dedicated bus lanes, enhance bus stops and train stations, support passenger safety, upgrade technology and modernize infrastructure to meet demand and increase frequency of public transit services, and improve access to public transit.

• $25 million for Bus Prioritization and Enhancement Projects to support municipalities in their efforts to create bus rapid transit lanes, construct catenary wires for electric trolley buses, purchase equipment for transit signal prioritization, and make improvements at bus stations and stops.

• $25 million for Enhancements at Transit and Commuter Rail Stations to support municipalities in their efforts to construct parking lots and structures, drop-off and pick-up zones, electric vehicle charging stations, park-and-ride locations, bicycle parking or bicycle cages, and accommodations for micro-mobility devices.

The bill also includes language clarifying that transportation infrastructure projects are an allowable use of American Rescue Plan Act funds, consistent with U.S. Treasury guidelines. Having been passed by the House and Senate, the legislation now goes to Governor Baker for his signature.

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(WESTFIELD 6/25/2021) During the week of June 20th, Senator John Velis spoke at three different Chamber of Commerce meetings throughout Western Massachusetts. The meetings were held by the West of the River Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 22nd, the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce on Friday, June 25th, and the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce, also on Friday, June 25th. 

Due to the enduring adverse impact to the economy brought on by the pandemic, the work done by Chambers of Commerce to support local businesses is especially critical.  On Tuesday, Senator Velis emphasized this importance: “We have to continue to look at how our Commonwealth is supporting businesses and a lot of good work happens right here within Chambers of Commerce.”

In the Senator’s accompanying comments to the West of the River Chamber of Commerce, he noted the Legislature’s commitment to supporting this economic recovery. Senate budget investments in the economy and workforce include $50M for adult education services for workforce skills, $23M for summer jobs and work training for at-risk youth, and $10M devoted to connecting workers with higher-paying jobs through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund. Senator Velis personally sponsored additional amendments as well, including $100,000 to Holyoke Community College for a child-care program to help parents get workforce training and $800,000 to help individuals in recovery find and maintain work through RecoveryWorks. 

Senator Velis was joined at this informative event on Tuesday by Senator Adam Gomez, Representative Michael J. Finn, Mayor Bill Sapelli of Agawam, and Mayor Reichelt of West Springfield. The West of the River Chamber of Commerce represents businesses from Agawam and West Springfield.

Senator Velis also served as the Keynote Speaker at the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce event on Friday. The event was held at the Chicopee Boys and Girls Club with businesses from the surrounding area present. Senator Velis updated the Chamber on legislative news and incoming federal funding.

The Chicopee event was the first of two Chamber events on Friday as Senator Velis later spoke at a luncheon held by the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce. He was joined by Representative Patricia Duffy and Jeff Hayden, Holyoke Community College’s VP of Workforce Development. The three facilitated an engaging conversation with regards to workforce training, workforce obstacles, unemployment, and state resources. 

During the conversation Senator Velis stressed the importance of expanding vocational and technical schools. “There are so many employers who are looking for skilled workers and so many students who are unaware of the opportunities open to them,” said Senator Velis. “We have fantastic technical schools in our communities, but their capacities are limited. We need to invest more into them.”

At all three events this week, Senator Velis informed Chamber members of legislation being passed in the Senate and encouraged them to reach out to his office with concerns or questions about state resources.

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Hello Everyone,

I want to wish a happy belated Father’s Day to all the fathers and father figures out there. I hope that everyone was able to enjoy last Sunday and took advantage of the beautiful weather.

This week, I attended an Opioid Policy Fellowship Webinar with the National Council of State Legislatures. The conversation was centered around how other states are taking action to deal with substance use and what we can learn from them here in Massachusetts. As a part of this continued work, I also spent some time on Tuesday with Dr. Sarah Wakeman, Medical Director of the Substance Use Disorders Initiative at Massachusetts General Hospital.

On Monday, I met with Representative Duffy and Spiros Hatiras, President and CEO of Holyoke Medical Center. We discussed how the center is adapting to more normal operations due to the decrease in COVID cases across the state. If you have not had the chance to get vaccinated yet, please consider visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov to find a vaccine location near you. It’s important for me to stay connected with our health care system and I was fortunate this week to also meet with the Massachusetts Nurses Association to discuss their legislative priorities.

With in-person gatherings starting again in our communities, I was glad spend some time at district events this week. On Thursday, I was in Agawam to attend the ribbon cutting of the Morgan Sullivan Bridge project with Lt. Governor Polito, Senator Gomez, Mayor Sapelli and MassDOT officials. On Monday evening, I was fortunate to be at the retirement party for Southwick Police Chief Bishop. His service to the Southwick community is truly incredible and I wish him all the best in retirement. Later that evening I made it over to Granville for their Select Board meeting.

This week I was also fortunate to attend and speak at several Chamber of Commerce Meetings around the district. On Tuesday I gave a legislative update to the West of the River Chamber which consists of Agawam and West Springfield businesses. On Friday I was the keynote speaker at the Greater Chicopee Chamber’s meeting and then later joined the Holyoke Chamber of Commerce for a great discussion on workforce training and workforce obstacles.

On Thursday in formal session, the State Senate passed a critical amendment to change the line-of-duty death benefits standard for police officers. Many of you undoubtedly heard of the recent death of Worcester Police Officer Manny Familia, who died earlier this month trying to save a drowning boy who also passed away. This tragedy exposed a glaring loophole in the current benefits standards where pension benefits are only given to a police officer’s spouse if the officer is killed by assault or in a car crash. Drowning is not included, and in order for Officer Familia’s family to receive benefits, this loophole must be closed. Officer Familia selflessly and courageously put himself in harm’s way to try to save the life of a human being. The fact is police officers throughout our state do this on a daily basis, and when a tragedy occurs, it is our duty as a Commonwealth to take care of the family they leave behind. Passing this amendment was an absolute necessity, for Officer Familia’s family and for all the families of police officers in our state. 

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 that as many of you near your summer breaks, you have all been able to find a pleasant balance between “work and play.” It’s certainly been easy to enjoy the outdoors with the weather we’ve been having and the easing of mask mandates for vaccinated individuals. If you have not yet been vaccinated, please consider visiting vaxfinder.mass.gov to find a vaccine location near you.

This weekend is Juneteenth and this is the first year the day is marked as an official State Holiday in Massachusetts. Juneteenth commemorates the real end of slavery in the United States, an ending that came over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was actually issued. This weekend I encourage you all to reflect on our nation’s history and the distance we have come.

This week, there are a few congratulations in order for a handful of outstanding individuals in our community. Firstly, I would like to extend my regards to Francine Tishman and Janet Cain for their distinction as Southampton Council on Aging volunteers of the year. Tishman and Cain were recognized for going above and beyond during the pandemic in their commitment to their volunteer work with the Council. Southampton is lucky to have them.

I also want to commend students from Westfield who have recently completed the Bridge to Adulthood program. This program aims to uplift individuals with disabilities by offering them the freedom to make choices and cultivate their living skills. The Bridge to Adulthood proclaims a mission of “providing meaningful support and services for individuals” through “setting goals of each participant’s unique needs, and by enriching the lives of participants and their families with information, support and encouragement.” I am thankful for the presence of such an institution in our community.

This week I also participated in several Legislative committee hearings. On Tuesday I submitted testimony to the Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery on bills I filed related to student’s health. One of these bills would require that schools permit absences for behavioral health concerns, an issue that is simply not talked about in our school system. On Thursday I testified in front of the Committee on Economic Development in support of a bill filed by my colleague Senator Gomez that would legalize sports wagering in Massachusetts. While many sports wagering bills have been filed this session, this bill is the only one that would allow small retailers like restaurants and bars the opportunity to offer sports wagering to their patrons as well.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to attend a few different events in the district this past week. On Tuesday, I attended a tour of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke. The Paper City was the birthplace of the sport all the way back in 1895. Interestingly, it was invented by the YMCA’s director at the time as a sport for “businessmen” and was went by the title “mintonette.” I had a great time learning a bit more about the sport and the cultural contributions of Western Mass at the Hall of Fame.

Saturday marked the Grand Opening of the Dreamer Dispensary in Southampton, an event which I attended. The shop is the first licensed recreational cannabis dispensary in the town of Southampton and Saturday afternoon’s opening was an action-packed celebration that featured food trucks, hot air balloons, and even a local band, the “Changes in Latitude”.

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 Veli

(BOSTON–06/14/21) On Thursday, June 10th, the Massachusetts State Senate passed a bill which would extend a slate of measures instituted in Massachusetts during the State of Emergency stemming from COVID-19. If signed into law, this bill would result in the included measures being temporarily extended beyond the State of Emergency’s expiration on June 15, 2021.

“The end of the State of Emergency in Massachusetts is both a testament to how far we’ve come and a reminder of the work that lies ahead as we seek a robust recovery equitable to all residents” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Massachusetts’ recovery will depend on our ability to respond to the lessons of the pandemic, in such areas as housing, healthcare, the restaurant industry and civic and community engagement. Today’s legislation keeps these conversations going and addresses the future of some of the most popular new ideas that have been embraced during the pandemic.”

Many of the extended measures deal with elections and public meetings. Under the bill, mail-in voting would be extended in Massachusetts until December 15, 2021, giving voters flexibility and more opportunity to participate in upcoming fall elections. With municipal approval, early in-person voting could be extended through the same date.

Public bodies subject to the open meeting law would be able to continue holding meetings remotely until April 1, 2022. Similarly, remote town meetings would remain an option for Massachusetts municipalities through December 15, 2021, and quorum requirements for town meetings would be eased. Nonprofits and public corporations would be able to hold meetings remotely until December 15, 2021.

“Extending these emergency measures will allow municipalities, restaurants, businesses, and residents the flexibility they need to adapt as we continue on the path toward our new normal and we get back to a new better,” stated Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Thank you to Senate President Spilka for her steady leadership and thank you to my colleagues in the Senate for moving quickly to support citizens of the Commonwealth.”

Also included in the bill are measures relative to restaurant operations. The legislation would allow municipalities to approve and extend permits for outdoor dining through April 1, 2022. Restaurants would also be permitted to offer alcoholic beverages, including mixed drinks, for off-site consumption with the purchase of food until March 1, 2022.

The bill also extends certain protections afforded to tenants during the pandemic. Among these is the requirement that a ‘notice to quit,’ including information on tenants’ rights as well as methods for seeking legal and financial assistance, be served to tenants prior to an eviction. Such notices will continue to be required until at least January 1, 2023. Furthermore, the legislation would also extend hardship protections to persons facing eviction by continuing the court practice of offering temporary continuances to tenants who have filed applications for rental assistance, thereby preventing unnecessary evictions in cases where tenants are unable to pay rent due to COVID-19-related financial hardship. This statutory requirement would have expired on June 15, 2021 and instead will be extended until April 1, 2022.

“I’ve heard from so many constituents, business owners, and local officials throughout my district about how these regulations have helped them adapt throughout the pandemic,” stated Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “A lot of these policies have been extremely useful for our communities and will continue to be helpful as we transition away from the pandemic.”

“We learned a lot during the COVID experience, and we may be able to use some of those lessons going forward. This legislation gives us the time to sort out which changes we should make permanent,” stated President Pro Tempore Senator William Brownsberger (D-Belmont).

In an amendment proposed by Senator Jehlen and adopted during debate, a lack of access to childcare will not prohibit someone from collecting unemployment benefits from continuing to access those benefits.  This practice, initiated during the pandemic and otherwise set to expire on June 15, 2021 will continue until federal unemployment protections expire in September.  

Finally, the Senate extended several measures to ensure that sufficient workforce and access to necessary healthcare services remain to address the needs of the Commonwealth during the continuing public health emergency. In a move which fulfills the Senate’s stated commitment to supporting telehealth’s inclusion as a healthcare option for Massachusetts residents, a requirement that certain in-network telehealth services be reimbursed at the same rate as equivalent in-person services would be extended until at least December 15, 2021.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

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Hello Everyone, 

I hope that you all have been able to stay cool this past week with the warm weather. Earlier this week I was at Army Reserve Drill training, so many of my meetings this week were held virtually.  

Some of you may remember I was recently named a 2021 Opioid Policy Fellow by the National Council of State Legislators. In continuation of this work this week, I attended several meetings centered around addiction and opioid use. I spent time with Mike Tourville, Author of “Voices from the Fallen: True Stories of Addiction, Grief, Recovery, and Courage,” to discuss opioid addiction issues in our area. On Wednesday, I conversed with Dr. Alex Whalley, Director of Clinical Addiction Research and Education Unit at Boston Medical Center to discuss new initiatives in the field. We must continue to explore and expand the ways we are helping those in our communities who struggle with substance use.  

On Tuesday of this week, I met with the Office of The Child Advocate to continue discussing DCF and  the tragic death of David Almond, a fall river teenager who passed away this fall. As the Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Person with Disabilities, I will continue to be involved in these issues moving forward. The meeting was centered around reforms that can be made to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. 

This week I also met with the Hilltown Community Health Center to go over their legislative priorities and learn how I can help better advocate for them on Beacon Hill. It is important to me to ensure that our Hilltown communities have all the support they need to keep their residents safe and healthy. 

On Thursday the Senate took up legislation to extend some of the COVID-19 policies we’ve had in place the past year that were set to expire on June 15^th when the state of emergency is lifted. Among other things, the bill extends outdoor dining and outdoor alcohol service to 2022, continues cost protections for patients dealing with COVID related care, and allows for remote participation for public meetings and municipal governance into 2022 as well. A lot of these policies have been extremely useful for our communities and will continue to be helpful as we transition away from the pandemic.  

I also want to shoutout the Stanley Park Wheel Walk that took place this Saturday in Westfield to raise money for accessible picnic tables in the park! Every year this walk highlights the need to continue work to ensure that all activities in the park are accessible to everyone and that we all can enjoy getting some time outdoors.  

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 all had a restful Memorial Day weekend, perhaps getting a chance to spend time with loved ones. In honor of the holiday, I was privileged to attend Memorial Day events in Agawam, Westfield, and Russell on Monday.

I am also wishing everyone a happy Pride Month as we enter June, remembering that our very own Massachusetts was the first state to legalize same sex marriage back in 2004. This past Tuesday I had the opportunity to speak at Westfield’s Pride Progress Flag raising ceremony at City Hall, which was organized by the Westfield Pride Alliance. The momentous occasion featured the raising of the flag by former Associate Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Justice John M. Greaney. This was fitting, as Justice Greaney was not only instrumental in legalizing gay marriage in Massachusetts through his written concurring opinion in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health but is also originally from Westfield. We can be proud to have a man of such influence hailing from our community.

On Wednesday of this week, I was thankful for the chance to speak at the Hampden County Addiction Task Force meeting alongside many other recovery advocates. As I shared at the Task Force meeting, this issue of combatting addiction and aiding recovery is one extremely close to my heart. As Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery, I am committed to fighting the stigma surrounding the disease of addiction. Due to a lack of human connection, the pandemic exacerbated the challenges of many people struggling with addiction, and it is important to me to serve as a resource and asset to those battling this disease. The voice of the community, and those with firsthand experiences with these struggles, is instrumental in effecting positive change.

I was able to spend some time with youth in our community this week as well, speaking to an eighth-grade class at the St. Joan of Arc School in Chicopee on Tuesday and second graders at Paper Hill Elementary School in Westfield on Thursday. We discussed civics and military duty, two especially prevalent topics to the Memorial Day season.

In a similar congratulatory vein, I want to acknowledge the many seniors during this graduation season, with Westfield and Agawam graduations being held this week. The past year of virtual work and learning have been difficult for many of us, and I commend you for persevering to obtain your diplomas.

Our office continues to work from home, and I was pleased to welcome a virtual intern, Baylee Cox, to our team this week. A Massachusetts native, Cox is a rising junior at Princeton majoring in the School of Public and International Affairs who will be working with us for the next two months. We have hopes of our office returning to more in-person work later in the summer as the number of vaccinated individuals continues to rise. If you have not already, I encourage you once again to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for both your personal well-being as well as that of our community. You can go to vaxfinder.mass.gov to find vaccine locations.

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 – 5/28/2021) The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a $47.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22), after adding $63.7 million in targeted investments over the course of three days of robust deliberations. Approved with unanimous bipartisan support, the budget maintains fiscal responsibility and recommends targeted investments to address emerging needs, safeguard the health and wellness of the most vulnerable populations and ensure residents will benefit equitably as the state recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is an extraordinarily hopeful budget, designed to get us ‘back to better,’ stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Massachusetts Senate vowed to act on what we learned from the COVID-19 public health crisis and invest in areas that lift up our children, families, and seniors across all communities — and that is exactly what this budget does. I am particularly proud of the bipartisan investments made in the areas of public health, housing, veterans’ care, our friends and neighbors with disabilities, and especially mental and behavioral health. As I said when this process began, this proposal takes on the important but invisible work of stitching the fabric of our Commonwealth back together after a challenging year.”

“Over these last three days, the Senate again demonstrated its willingness to advocate for those in need and doubled down on our efforts to build an equitable recovery, ensuring we get our Commonwealth back to better,” said 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 charted a hopeful path forward this week and passed a fiscally responsible Fiscal Year 2022 budget that makes investments to expand educational opportunity, safeguard the health and wellness of our most vulnerable, support our children and families and meet the needs of our post-pandemic economy. Thank you to my colleagues in the Senate, whose advocacy and dedication helped to further shape the overall direction of this budget and ensure our residents will benefit equitably as we work to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Senate’s budget confronts the frontline health care impacts of the pandemic to navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19. It also sustains support for the state’s safety net by funding MassHealth at a total of $18.98 billion, thereby providing over 2 million of the Commonwealth’s children, seniors, and low-income residents access to comprehensive health care coverage. Understanding that the pandemic has strained the health care safety net, the Senate’s budget also invests over $1 billion to support vital mental and behavioral health initiatives while ensuring children and families continue to receive supports across the continuum of services provided.

As a cornerstone of the Commonwealth’s equitable recovery, the Senate’s budget protects access to educational opportunity and charts a path forward for students, families, educators, and institutions. The budget maintains the Senate’s commitment to implementing the Student Opportunity Act (SOA) by FY 2027. The Senate proposal fully funds the first year of the SOA consistent with the $5.503 billion local aid agreement reached in March with the House Committee on Ways and Means, amounting to an increase of $220 million over FY21.

Despite the uncertainty created by the pandemic, this increased level of investment represents a 1/6th implementation of SOA rates and ensures that school districts across the Commonwealth have adequate and equitable resources to provide high quality educational opportunities for all students. The Senate’s budget also includes $387.9 million for the Special Education (SPED) Circuit Breaker, reimbursing school districts for the cost of educating students with disabilities at the statutorily required 75 per cent reimbursement rate. In addition, recognizing that school districts across the state have experienced fluctuations in student enrollment related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate’s budget creates a $40 million reserve consistent with the March local aid agreement to provide additional aid to districts experiencing increases in student enrollment compared to October 2020.

The Senate’s FY 2022 budget employs a sensible approach to maintain long-term fiscal health by including up to $1.55 billion from the Stabilization Fund. It draws $50M less from reserves than the budget proposed by the Administration, ensuring that the Commonwealth maintains healthy reserves for years beyond the pandemic. Additionally, the Senate’s budget relies on $575 million from enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (eFMAP) reimbursements and $15 million in FEMA reimbursements to take advantage of changes at the federal level to maximize revenue opportunities. It also excludes the use of federal American Rescue Plan funds: the Senate will work collaboratively in the coming months to develop a responsive and thoughtful plan to support the needs of the Commonwealth.

During this week’s debate, the Senate adopted two amendments that highlight its targeted focus on finding opportunities to enhance revenue and be prudent stewards of taxpayer dollars. When Massachusetts first regulated ride-share companies such as Uber and Lyft, the legislation included a novel $0.20 fee per ride to mitigate the impacts on congestion. Since that time, jurisdictions across the country have adopted fee structures to more appropriately capture the impact that ride share companies have on the roadways, and better incentivize consumer behavior. To that end, the Senate budget increases the current $0.20 fee to $1.20 for solo rides and adds an additional $0.20 fee to rides that begin in end in the MBTA core, among other changes. All increased revenue from the rides will go back to the transportation system to invest in public transit and other mobility improvements.

The Senate also adopted a budget amendment to implement several recommendations of the newly created Tax Expenditure Review Commission. The commission thoroughly reviewed spending through the tax expenditure budget and highlighted several expenditures that no longer serve their desired purpose. The Senate heeded the advice of the commission and eliminated several such expenditures, slated to save taxpayers several million dollars beginning in tax year 2022.

Additional education investments include:

• $5.503 billion for Chapter 70 education funding
• $387.9 million for the Special Education Circuit Breaker
• $149.1 million to reimburse public school districts for costs incurred when students leave to attend charter schools
• $78.6 million to reimburse school districts for regional school transportation costs, after adding $1 million during debate
• $571.2 million for the University of Massachusetts, $321.7 million for the fifteen community colleges, and $298.1 million for the nine state universities
• $40 million reserve to provide additional aid to districts experiencing increases in student enrollment compared to October 2020
• $27.9 million for METCO grants to cities, towns and regional school districts, after adding $1.3 million during debate
• $15 million for grants to the Head Start program to maintain access to early education services for low-income families
• $10 million for the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative to expand access to pre-kindergarten and preschool opportunities in underserved areas
• $9 million for a reserve to cover parent fees for families receiving subsidized childcare through the end of calendar year 2021
• $6 million for Dual Enrollment and $5 million for Early College Programs, more than doubling our commitment to these programs that provide high school students with better opportunities for post-graduate success
• $5 million for Social Emotional Learning Grants to help K-12 schools bolster social emotional learning supports for students, and $1 million for a new pilot program to provide mental health screenings for K-12 students
• $4 million for rural school assistance, after adding $1 million during debate
• $2 million for grants offered through the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative to support high school students with intellectual disabilities ages 18–22 with access to higher education opportunities
• $600,000, added during debate, for innovation pathway programs to create partnerships with employers to provide students with experience in specific high-demand industries, such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, life sciences and advanced manufacturing

Additional health investments include:

• $507.5 million for Adult Support Services, including assisted outpatient programming and comprehensive care coordination among health care providers
• $175.3 million for a complete range of substance use disorder treatment and intervention services
• $97.1 million for children’s mental health services
• $50.3 million for domestic violence prevention services
• $39 million for early intervention services, to ensure supports are accessible and available to infants and young toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities, including funds to support health equity initiatives, after adding $1 million during debate
• $23 million for Family Resource Centers to improve and expand access to resources and programming for families
• $13 million for grants to support local boards of health, including funds to build upon the State Action for Public Health Excellence (SAPHE) Program, after adding $3 million during debate
• $12.3M for the Shannon Grants gang violence prevention and intervention program, after adding $1 million during debate
• $10.5M for the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative (SSYI), after adding $500,000 during debate
• $10 million to recapitalize the Behavioral Health, Access, Outreach and Support Trust Fund to support targeted behavioral health initiatives, including $5 million for loan forgiveness for mental health clinicians, $3 million of which is for child and adolescent psychiatrists, $1 million for public awareness campaigns, $3.5 million for student access to telebehavioral health services in schools, and $500,000 to enhance the mental health workforce pipeline
• $10 million for new grants to create Programs of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) in each of the six executive office of health and human services regions of the Commonwealth to provide intensive community-based wraparound services to children and adolescents with serious mental and behavioral health needs
• $5.6 million for smoking prevention and cessation programs, after adding $1 million during debate
• $3.9 million for the Office of the Child Advocate, including $1 million for the establishment and operation of a state center on child wellness and trauma
• $2.5 million for Children Advocacy Centers to improve the critical supports available to children that have been neglected or sexually abused
• $2 million for veterans’ mental and behavioral health supports through Mass General’s Home Base Program.
• $600K for the women veterans’ outreach program, after adding $500K on the floor to expand the program

Added $500,000, during debate, for a contraceptive access public awareness campaign to promote awareness of a 2017 law which gives an individual access to 12-month prescription of co-pay free birth control. In addition to these health care investments and in response to oversight hearings held by the Joint Committee on COVID-19 and Emergency Preparedness, the Senate adopted an amendment requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the office of health equity and the department of public health, to establish a set of quantitative goals and benchmarks to define and achieve equitable vaccine administration in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

As the Senate works to emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient, it remains committed to an equitable recovery, expanding opportunity, and building a more inclusive Commonwealth. To that end, the Senate’s budget takes a number of critical steps to support workers and lift up working families with economic opportunities.

Opportunity investments include:

• $50 million for adult basic education services to improve access to skills necessary to join the workforce
• $30 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program
• $23 million for summer jobs and work-readiness training for at-risk youth
• $18 million in Healthy Incentives Programs to ensure vulnerable households have continued access to food options during the pandemic
• $15 million for a Community Empowerment and Reinvestment grant program to provide economic supports to communities disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system
• $10 million for the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund to connect unemployed and under-employed workers with higher paying jobs
• $8.5 million for Career Technical Institutes to increase our skilled worker population and provide residents access to career technical training opportunities.
• $6 million for Regional Economic Development Organizations to support economic growth in every region
• $5 million for Community Foundations to provide emergency economic relief to historically underserved populations
• $4 million for the Secure Jobs Connect program, providing job placement resources and assistance for homeless individuals
• $2.5 million for the Massachusetts Cybersecurity Innovation Fund, including $1.5 million for new regional security operation centers which will partner with community colleges and state universities to provide cybersecurity workforce training to students and cybersecurity services to municipalities, non-profits, and small businesses
• $2 million for the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership
• $1.5 million for nonprofit security grant program, after adding $500,000 during debate
• $1 million for employment programs for young adults with disabilities

In addition to investments that support an equitable recovery and opportunity for all, the Senate’s budget addresses the increasing costs of caregiving for low-income families by converting existing tax deductions for children under 12, dependent adults and business-related dependent care expenses into refundable tax credits. Coupled with the expanded Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care tax credits under the federal American

Rescue Plan Act, the Senate’s child tax credit will help to lift 85,000 families out of poverty and support low-income working parents.

Additionally, the Senate’s budget builds on the success of last year’s efforts to tackle ‘deep poverty’ with a 20 per cent increase to Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) benefits over December 2020 levels, ensuring families receive the economic supports they need to live, work and provide stability for their children.

Over a year into the pandemic, the role that access to affordable housing has played in our economic recovery is clear. Recognizing this, the Senate’s budget invests $572 million in housing and homelessness services. In addition to the more than $800 million in federal resources made available to support housing stability efforts, the Senate’s investment will help to keep families in their homes and support tenants and property owners during this uniquely challenging time.

Housing investments include:

• $195.9 million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters, including funds to create an independent ombudsman’s office to act as a mediator and advocate for households applying to or residing in family shelters
• $150 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), including $20 million in unspent funds carried forward from FY 2021, and recommended changes to the program to cap the share of a household’s income paid towards rent at 30 per cent
• $85 million for assistance to local housing authorities
• $16.3 million for Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), in addition to $350 million in federal emergency rental assistance, and including changes to the RAFT program, adopted through the amendment process, to extend the maximum amount of rental assistance of $10,000 until December 31, 2021, and then maintain the maximum amount of rental assistance at $7,000 through the end of FY 2022, which support households in need during this recovery and helps us avoid sudden changes in benefit levels
• $56.4 million for assistance for homeless individuals
• $14.2 million for the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) providing rental assistance to people with disabilities, including $5.5 million in unspent funds carried forward from FY 2021, and $2.5 million for grants to improve or create accessible affordable housing units
• $8 million for the Housing Consumer Education Centers (HCECs).
• $8 million for assistance for unaccompanied homeless youth
• $3.9 million for the Home and Healthy for Good re-housing and supportive services program, including $250,000 for homeless LGBTQQ youth

The Senate’s budget reflects the Senate’s unwavering support for cities and towns and provides a significant amount of local and regional aid to ensure communities can continue to provide essential services to the public while addressing local impacts caused by the pandemic. This includes $1.168 billion in funding for Unrestricted General Government Aid (UGGA), consistent with the March local aid agreement, to support local level investments and provide predictability for municipalities. In addition to traditional sources of local aid, the Committee’s budget increases payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT) for state-owned land to $35 million. PILOT funding is a vital source of supplemental local aid for cities and towns working to protect and improve access to essential services and programs during recovery from the pandemic.

Local investments include:

• $94 million for Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs) to support regional public transportation system as a public good necessary to helping commuters, students, seniors and people with disabilities and supporting economic mobility
• $36 million for libraries, including $13.5 million for regional library local aid, $13 million for municipal libraries
• $20 million for the Massachusetts Cultural Council to support local arts, culture and creative economy initiatives
• $2 million in additional grants for local tourism around the state

Differences between the Senate budget and the version passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives last month are expected to be reconciled through a Conference Committee.

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