Category: Uncategorized

Greetings Everyone, 

I hope you’ve all been enjoying this excellent weather.  I almost can’t believe what a beautiful spring we’ve been having.   

To start the week, the bond bill that would finance the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was the subject of another hearing by the Joint Committee on Bonding, Expenditures, and State Assets.  The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is an essential service for Veterans in the Commonwealth, a population amongst which I proudly count myself.  I testified strongly in favor the bill and I would like to stress again how important it is that we pass it quickly so that DCAMM, the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, has as much time as possible to work on the design.     

There was also another hearing this week held by the Special Joint Oversight Committee on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home COVID-19 outbreak.  This week’s hearing was focused on the structure of healthcare at the Home and what failures of this structure contributed to the tragedy in the spring of 2020.  These testimonies are crucial to knowing how we can rebuild the Home to make sure that an outbreak like the COVID-19 never happens again and that Veterans in the Home receive the world class care they deserve.   

This past Tuesday I had a introductory meeting with officials from the Massachusetts Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, including Executive Director John Beatty. This executive task force works to promote and strengthen the Commonwealth’s six military installations and their impact on local communities and economies at the federal, state and local level. As Chairman of the Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, I will be working closely with the Task Force this session on legislative issues.  

On Friday I joined Representative Pease and Westfield City Officials at a ribbon cutting ceremony for three new businesses in Downtown Westfield! Hilltown Chic, Be Bella Boutique, and Boho Hair studio are three new women-owned businesses now open on School Street, and I was honored to help celebrate their grand opening.  

I’d also like to congratulate the UMass Men’s Hockey team on winning the NCAA Semi finals this past Thursday night.  It was a late one but worth the watch for an overtime after midnight win.  They may not be in my district per se but we are still proud nonetheless that Western Mass’s very own Minutemen will be going for the Championship tonight.  Go UMass! 

I’ve also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/  and you can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

John Velis 

Happy April Fools! 

I know it’s a little late for that so you can rest assured that everything in this weekly update is accurate and prank-free.  I wish we had time for pranks over here, but it was another busy week in the Second Hampden and Hampshire Senate District.   

This week I met with Bo Sullivan of the Westfield Boys and Girls’ Club to discuss their proposed expansion and how I can help advocate for a federal grant to fund it.  This project would expand their space by 15,000 square feet and allow hundreds of  kids who have not been allowed in due to COVID restrictions to be welcomed back.  The reduction of programs like this will have effects on kids for years to come and getting the kids back into programs such the Boys and Girls club is the first step for many on the path to true normalcy.   

I also had the pleasure of meeting with the Mass Forest Alliance this week to discuss how forestry and land management can be a way to both fight the effects of climate change and be a regional economic driver.  Massachusetts is the tenth most forested state in the Union, and for those us in the Western part of the Commonwealth, our outdoor recreation and natural beauty are a point of pride. I look forward to working with the Forest Alliance to expand and protect the ways in which we interact with our natural resources.   

Wednesday night I attended a Candle Light Vigil at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home to honor those who were lost during the COVID-19 outbreak over a year ago.  This tragedy will never be  forgotten and I’ve been working very hard with my fellow legislators to investigate this tragedy and pass the pending bond bill so that we can build a new Soldiers’ Home to ensure that something like this can’t happen again.  Our Veterans are the best of us and therefore they deserve the best from us.   

A couple weeks ago, Senate President Spilka nominated me for an Opioid Policy Fellowship through the National Conference of State Legislatures, which officially kicked off this week.  I, along with other state legislators from across the nation, will be meeting with opioid and addiction experts to learn what policies and regulations work best to combat the opioid crisis.  As the Vice-Chairman of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Recovery, this fellowship will be crucial to the way that I and the Legislature tackle the Opioid Crisis.   

This week I joined almost thirty other State Senators on to a letter to the Governor Baker asking him to postpone the MCAS testing requirement until the fall.  With the logistics of holding this test and the complete overhaul in teaching that happened this year, it would be unfair to both students and school districts to have to take these exams and then hold school districts to the same level of financial accountability that we usually use these tests to benchmark.   

I was also able to attend the Montgomery Town Select board meeting this week and I was ecstatic to be able to get out into the district and interact with my constituents face to face.  The select board and city council meetings are where I can learn in person what is going on the communities I represent.  Finding ways for the State to help is the core of my job as a State Senator and is the thing I’m looking forward to most as we move out the pandemic.   

I’ve also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/  In a few weeks, the second issue of Quarterly newsletter will be going out as well, and you can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

It’s the end of another long week here in the State Senate.  I’m happy to announce all the new eligibilities for the vaccine rollout.  Starting this week, anyone 60 years and older is now eligible, as well as workers in many sectors of the economy.  I encourage everyone to review these categories on mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine. 

I’m also thrilled to announce that the Commonwealth has launched a plan for at-home vaccinations for those who are eligible and homebound.  This particular population has struggled so much during this pandemic and we finally have the infrastructure in place to aid them. Available in Spanish, English, and almost 100 other languages, the at-home vaccination booking line can be reached at 1-800-983-0485, Mondays through Fridays 9am to 5pm.      

Finally, Westfield now has its own vaccination site in the CVS on East Main Street.  This a particular point of pride to have finally gotten a site in Westfield, as I’ve been advocating for one since the beginning of the vaccine rollout.  I know that many of you have reached out to my office and your voices have not gone unheard.  Although appointments may be somewhat scarce to start, this is an important step.  I am also excited to announce that the Big E has been approved by the state as a regional vaccination site, with more details coming soon. As our vaccine supply continues to expand, I will continue to advocate for more local and regional sites to help residents better access the vaccine.  

This week I had the pleasure of attending the raising of the Greek flag at St. George’s Orthodox Church in Springfield.  This last Thursday marked the 200^th anniversary of Greece’s Independence from the Ottoman Empire.  I’m very proud of my Greek heritage and was honored to have been invited to such an event.   

I’d also like to highlight one of the bills that I’ve filed this year, SD1372, The Speed Act.  This bill would speed up the process for reapplying for professional licenses when spouses of military move to the Commonwealth.  The act also eases the transition for service members’ children to their new schools by allowing pre-enrollment and online attendance before actually moving to the district and by also creating a “Purple Star” campuses designation.     

Speaking of Veterans’ affairs, this week also marked the first meeting of the Joint Committee on Veteran and Federal Affairs.  As the newly appointed Chairman, I will always do my best to advocate for our current servicemembers and Veterans.  I look forward to a productive legislative session with my fellow officials on the Committee.   

This week the bond bill that would finance the reconstruction of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was voted on favorably by the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.  Its next stop is the Joint Committee on Bonding.  The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home is an essential and venerable service for Veterans in the Commonwealth, a population amongst which I proudly count myself.  We’re at the thirty yard line here with this bill and I will continue to do my best to push this over into the endzone so that Veterans for decades to come will be able receive care from the Home with the dignity and honor that they deserve.   

I’ve also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/  In a few weeks, the second issue of Quarterly newsletter will be going out as well, and you can sign up at senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/ to receive the newsletter right in your email inbox.  

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. 

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

Spring is finally in the air.  I don’t know about you all, but the beautiful weather this week has me excited to get outside.   

This week was a busy one.  Early on in the week I had the unique opportunity of joining a radio show based in Greece.  My family and I are very proud of our Greek heritage and I was honored that the “Voice of Greece” invited me to be a guest on their show.  We spoke at length about the Greek Diaspora, the contributions of Greco-American immigrants, and the hardships of the immigrant experience.  It was a great discussion and I would love to be a guest again.  S’ efharistó! 

This past Tuesday I took part in a great virtual Twitter conversation about the impact Covid-19 has had on mental health in our communities.  This event was hosted by Mass Support Network and I was joined by colleagues from across the state.  Sadly, this topic is not talked about enough and I look forward to continuing to work on these issues as Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery. 

This week Westfield was awarded a $60,000 grant from the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development to help invest in downtown and commercial projects. This “Downtown Initiative” grant is a part of Local Rapid Recovery Planning (LRPP) program and will help the city invest in projects that will boost the recovery of local businesses.  

On Friday I met with Representative Duffy of Holyoke and the interim Receiver-Superintendent of Holyoke Public Schools, Anthony Soto.  It was a productive meeting and I’m fully confident that Superintendent Soto will do an excellent job serving the students of Holyoke.  It has been great working with him so far.  

Friday also marked three years since the tragic passing of Brian Donaghue Simpson of Westborough.  Brian struggled with and eventually succumbed to opioid addiction in 2018.  I gathered virtually with members of his family, Attorney General Healey, Senator Markey, and Dr. Lipi Roy, an addiction specialist, to commemorate his passing and talk about how we can lift the stigma around opioid addiction.  Through committee work and my own legislation, I plan to take on the opioid crisis head first.  In matters of addiction, silence so often leads to death which is why we must all work to stop the stigma surrounding it.    

This week the State also launched a preregistration system to sign up for vaccine appointments at mass vaccination sites. Individuals who preregister will receive weekly status updates, and will be contacted to book an appointment when available instead of constantly checking the website. You can preregister at vaccinesignup.mass.gov/#/ 

I am hopeful that implementing this pre-registration system will improve how our vaccine rollout is organized. Although mass vaccination sites will be the only sites you can preregister for to start, the Governor has stated that other sites will added to the system soon which will be especially important in our region. As our vaccine supply continues to expand, it is critical that our vaccination sites expand as well and I will to continue to advocate. 

Recently, I also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/  To sign up for my quarterly newsletter, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/ 

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

Sincerely,  

John Velis 

Hello Everyone, 

The last week of February is upon us.  It seems to be thawing, so fingers crossed that Spring is coming a bit early this year and we can start to enjoy some warmer weather.  This week was just as busy as ever and I’m sure my staffers are starting to doubt me when I say, “Things should slow down next week.”  

To start it off, I had a very productive meeting on Monday with Mayor Nicole LaChapelle of Easthampton and Congressman Richard Neal, who represents most of Western Mass and all of my district in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Among other things, we discussed how the next federal stimulus package will be dispersed.  Federal aid is vital to ensure that our communities can recover from the pandemic.  

I also attended the Russell town meeting this past week.  Our hilltowns have had their own unique challenges both before and now during the pandemic.  This meeting’s purpose was to address these and determine how the State legislature can best help as we move forward in the new legislative session.   

This week the legislature also held its first oversight hearing on the state’s vaccine rollout and heard directly from Administration officials, including Governor Baker himself.  My colleagues questioned the Administration on vaccination sites and the appointment website among other issues, and pushed for improvements and more equitable vaccine distributions.  Last week I also joined colleagues on a letter to Governor Baker calling for more municipal and community sites, which I believe will improve vaccination accessibility as our supply expands.  

On Thursday I was lucky enough to get out to the Westfield Council On Aging to hand out some bagged lunches.  After one too many virtual meetings, it felt invigorating to get out in the community and tangibly help our seniors.  It was a great afternoon for it and it was so nice to see so many familiar faces.  I just can’t wait for the day when I can start calling bingo games at the Senior Center again.   

To finish my week on a high note, I had a meeting Friday morning with Girls’ Inc.  This is an organization that I think deserves special merit this week.  Their mission is to empower young women and forge the next generation of female leaders through both academic and extracurricular programs.  I was invited alongside Representative Patricia Duffy of Holyoke to host this meeting and we discussed how we as elected officials can bolster the young women of the Pioneer Valley.   

Recently, I also started sending out both quarterly newsletters and weekly email updates regarding the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.  To sign up for my COVID-19 updates, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/ To sign up for my quarterly newsletter, head to senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/ 

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

Sincerely,  

John Velis 

Happy February Everyone,

It was a cold and snowy start to the second month of the year and according to Punxsutawny Phil, we still have six weeks left until the weather starts to warm up.

More importantly, this Monday marks not only the beginning of February, but also the beginning of Black History Month. This time provides an opportune moment for us all to look forward and contemplate how we can create a more equitable and cohesive Commonwealth.

One of the few upsides of working from home is that I and my staff were able to keep working despite the “Snowageddon”. Thankfully so, as our weeks are only getting busier here as we move into this new Legislative session. At the beginning of the week, I met with members of the Massachusetts Teachers’ Association to discuss their legislative priorities for this session. Teachers are some of the most dedicated and vital public servants in our Commonwealth. The purpose of these ongoing talks is find out what works best for them and how the legislature can help them during and beyond the pandemic.

Later that day I joined other State Senators on a zoom call with Secretary of Health and Human Services, Marylou Sudders, to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. This week the State launched the Massachusetts Vaccine Scheduling Resource Line, which individuals ages 75 and older may call to get assistance from a live representative on scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment. The hotline can be reached by dialing 2-1-1, and will operate from 8:30AM to 5:00PM on weekdays. If you would like to stay up to date with vaccine information, please visit my website at https://senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/ and sign up for our weekly COVID-19 newsletter.

This week I also had the honor of speaking with students of Westfield High about what the future holds for both them and our Commonwealth. I really enjoyed discussing my time at Westfield High School as well as answering their questions. Special thanks to their teacher, Sarah Corbett, who set up this talk and whom Westfield High is extremely lucky to have.

On Friday I met with members of the Massachusetts Health and Hospital Association to discuss their legislative priorities. This is just one of many legislative topics my office is taking meetings on as the bill filing season continues.

That morning, I was also able to tour Westfield State and see the new COVID-19 testing site that they’re going to open. Even with the vaccine on the horizon, frequent testing remains the most effective way to prevent spread and serious symptoms. I implore all of you to stay vigilant so as to protect yourselves and your neighbors.

In this new legislative session, I will also be putting together newsletters from my office that can be sent right to your email inbox. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, head to www.senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/

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

Sincerely,

John C. Velis

Hello Everyone, 

Punxatawney Phil, our trusty groundhog, was unfortunately right.  This last week was even snowier than the first week of February.  Hopefully with March around the corner, Spring is on its way.     

This week, like the last couple, has been filled with zoom meetings after zoom meetings as the Legislative Session fully begins.  Hopefully, we can resume normal life relatively soon as vaccine rollout progresses.   If you’d like to stay up to date with the vaccine rollout info, visit my website at https://senatorjohnvelis.com/covid-19-updates/ to sign up for our weekly COVID-19 updates.   

On Monday, I met with John Hurst from the Massachusetts Retailers’ Association.  He and I had a very productive conversation on how the Massachusetts legislature can aid retail businesses in the Commonwealth.  Retail has been one of the worst hit sectors of our economy during the COVID-19 pandemic and we need to do everything in our powers to help our local businesses recover.   

Later that afternoon, I joined the Gateway cities caucus for another virtual Zoom meeting.  A gateway city is a medium sized, semi-economically independent city (Westfield, Holyoke, Chicopee) that serves as an intermediary between more rural towns (Southwick, Russell) and larger metros (Springfield, Boston).  Gateway cities are in very unique position economically and as such, they have their own specific needs that larger metros and smaller towns do not need to address.  I along with legislators from other Gateway cities had a very productive discussion on how the Legislature can best address these types of cities’ needs. 

This Tuesday marked another hearing for the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home Oversight committee.  The committee heard testimonies from the Board of Trustees, Secretary of the Department of Veteran Services, Cheryl Poppe, and Secretary of Health and Humans Services, Marylou Sudders.  The purpose of these hearings is to find out the underlying institutional causes that led to the tragedy at the Home last spring and the committee will make our official recommendations to the Senate by March 31^st.   

 Later in the week, I met with members of the Association for Behavioral Healthcare.  Everyone has been hit hard by the pandemic, but residents with substance use disorders have been faced with a new set of challenges.  Meeting with this organization will help me better identify legislative solutions I will be able to bring forth as a state Senator.  After that, along with other Western Massachusetts legislators, I met with the Commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care to discuss COVID-19 testing to ensure our children and families are as safe as possible in our region.   

Recently, I also started sending quarterly newsletters from my office that can be sent right to your email inbox.  If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, head to www.senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/ 

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

Sincerely,  

John Velis 

When winter storms are heading towards our district, my office will put out helpful information and updates as they become available. Below are resources and tips for how to stay safe during heavy snowfall and possible power outages.

Preparedness and Safety Information

• Safety and preparedness tips for nor’easters and coastal storms
• Safety and preparedness tips for extreme cold
• Winter storm preparedness and safety information
• Safe winter driving tips
• Winter safety tips for pets
• Power outage preparedness and safety information
• Flood safety tips

Stay Informed

• For additional information and updated forecasts, see National Weather Service Boston and National Weather Service Albany 
• Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times

Online Resources

• Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
• MEMA’s Facebook Page
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• National Service Weather Prediction Center
• National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center
• Northeast River Forecast Center
• National Hurricane Center
• Mass211

Hello Everyone,

Things are starting to pick up again as a new session begins. My staff and I are excited to roll up our sleeves and get to work as I start my first full term as your State Senator.

This week marks what would have been the 92nd birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King as well as a very profound national transition for our country. I hope all of you had a chance to celebrate on Monday.

On Wednesday, I virtually met with Robert Roose, the Chief Medical Officer at Mercy Medical Center, to discuss substance use disorders and how the pandemic continues to detrimentally impact people living with addiction. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak with Dr. Roose and brainstorm potential legislation to help others struggling.

Later on Wednesday my office held another virtual listening session for families who currently have loved ones at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. I invited family members to share their stories and I give my deepest gratitude to those who did. It was insightful to hear from families about the current status of the Home and concerns that still exist.

On Thursday the Legislature’s Special Oversight Committee on the Soldiers’ Home held a public hearing where I was able to raise many of the concerns I have heard. Members of the administration, as well as Holyoke Soldiers’ Home employees, testified and fielded questions about staffing and labor-related issues among other topics. It is essential that we ensure the Home is moving forward in the right direction, so that our current and future Veterans get the care they deserve.

On Friday I was glad to join the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation in Springfield to help with the delivery of winter coats they were getting via the Coats4Vets program. My newly-elected colleague Senator Gomez was also there helping out and it was great to see all the donations come in that will go to our Veterans.

In this new legislative session, I will also be putting together newsletters from my office that can be sent right to your email inbox. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, head to www.senatorjohnvelis.com/quarterly-newsletter/

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

Sincerely,

John C. Velis