Category: Uncategorized

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone got the chance to see the partial eclipse on Monday. While Western Massachusetts did not fall under the path of totality this event was still incredible to witness. Mark your calendars for the next Great North American Eclipse in 2045.

Over at the State House this week both the House and Senate adopted a Joint Resolution to recognize April as the “Month of the Military Child”. Here in Massachusetts, we not only recognize and appreciate the selflessness our active-duty military members, but we also recognize the challenges that their families and children face, whether that be going periods without seeing a parent to frequently moving around and switching schools. Last session the Legislature took tremendous strides with the SPEED Act to ease the transition of military children and families moving to the Commonwealth, and I was proud to join Senator JoComerford, Representatives Zlotnik and Representative Whipps this week to recognize the many military connected children across Massachusetts.

On Monday I joined the new CEO of Tapestry Health, Mavis Nimoh, at their location in Holyoke to tour their offices and learn more about the work she hopes to take on to support the behavioral health of countless individuals across Western Massachusetts. Tapestry Health has played a vital role over the last five decades to be a leading expert in public health issues that impacts our region. I am extremely grateful for their collaboration on many of the legislative issues I review with the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery.

This week my team and I were busy traveling throughout the district for a variety of celebrations. On Tuesday I joined Mayor Vieau and Senator Oliveira over in Chicopee for the 20th anniversary of the Chicopee Public Library. The celebrations continued Thursday evening as we presented a Senate citation to the Amy Crosby Photography Studio in West Springfield to recognize the opening of their studio. Team Velis also joined the grand opening celebration of the Gary Rome Car Wash and Dog Wash on Thursday, which just so happened to be National Pets Day. To wrap up this week’s celebrations, we stopped into the opening of the Boot Barn over in West Springfield on Friday which specializes in work gear and Western equine style. Congratulations to all these organizations and businesses on your momentous occasions and welcome to the Valley!

This week my office hosted office hours at the West Springfield COA and the Chicopee COA on Thursday. Next week, we will be at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday from 10:30am to 11:30am and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Sincerely,

John Velis

Chapter 90 funding would support cities and towns with road and bridge construction, public transit improvement, and EV infrastructure

BOSTON (4/11/2024)—Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved $375 million in bond authorizations for statewide transportation projects, including the state’s Chapter 90 program, which would create a reliable funding source for local infrastructure investments like roads, bridges, regional transit equipment and infrastructure, bicycle infrastructure, and electric vehicle infrastructure, among other things.

Projects funded by the annual legislation often improve quality of life for residents in every region of the state, and many play a role in environmental mitigation.

Every city and town in the Commonwealth would receive a share of $200 million in funding to be used on maintenance and construction of roads and bridges. $150 million would be allocated equally to six programs targeting specific transportation infrastructure, and $25 million would be allocated to cities and towns through the rural roads program.

“Getting around our communities is a fundamental part of everyone’s day,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “Whether the commute takes you on the sidewalk, through a bike lane, across a small bridge, onto your Regional Transit Authority, or to the T, your journey should be quick and safe. By passing today’s legislation, we are empowering our cities and towns with the funding to make improvements to the infrastructure our residents travel on, regardless of where they go and how.”

“Our transportation infrastructure is so vitally important to the state’s economy, and this Chapter 90 funding addresses many outstanding issues in keeping the Commonwealth’s roadways, bridges, and public transportation system in peak operating condition. I’m pleased that over $375 million has been allocated to municipal roadways, local streetscape improvements, and enhancements to our mass transit system,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“Our local communities maintain 90% of the roads and bridges in the Commonwealth that we all rely on” said Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “Chapter 90 provides essential funding to our municipalities so that they can improve the local roads, bridges, and infrastructure. I am particularly grateful for the additional measures in this bill, such as funding for the Rural Road Program, which will benefit our communities here in Western Massachusetts.”

“The annual authorization of the Chapter 90 program provides cities and towns with the state funding they need to most effectively address their transportation infrastructure needs,” said Senator Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. “This $375 million total investment in both Chapter 90 and additional grant opportunities funds tangible improvements across our entire transportation network—including roads, bridges, access to mass transit, and sidewalks.”

Of the $375 million in total authorizations, the legislation would allocate $25 million to each of the following programs that target specific infrastructure areas:

· Municipal Pavement Program, which focuses on the improvement of municipally owned state numbered routes.

· Municipal Small Bridge Program, which provides financial support to cities and towns for small bridge replacement, preservation, and rehabilitation projects.

· Complete Streets Funding Program, which provides funding to municipalities for streets that provide safe and accessible options for all travel modes such as walking, biking, transit, and vehicles.

· Municipal Bus Enhancement Program, which provides grant funding to build out infrastructure related to mass transit by bus.

· Mass Transit Access Grant Program, which provides grants for design and construction improvements to access commuter rail stations or other mass transit stations, such as parking lots, drop-off and pick-up zones, bike storage infrastructure, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

· Municipal/RTA EV Grant Program, which provides grants to Regional Transit Authorities and municipalities for the purchase of electric vehicles and related charging equipment.

A previous version having been passed by the House of Representatives, the legislation now awaits final enactment in each branch, before being sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature.

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Happy April Everyone,

Mother Nature gave us the ultimate April Fool’s prank this week with warm temperatures on Monday followed by snow, sleet, and ice just a couple of days later. I hope everyone was able to stay safe in the conditions out there.

This past Monday my staff and I held a roundtable on substance use disorders in rural communities at the Russell Town Hall. The substance use epidemic is one of the most pressing issues of our time, an alarming report was published late last year by the Department of Public Health which showed increasingly high rates of opioid overdose deaths in Massachusetts rural communities compared to urban areas. As the Senate Chair for the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, roundtables such as these are crucial to finding out how the legislature can create policy that best supports folks living in all of our communities struggling with addiction. This discussion focused on how this crisis is specifically impacting rural communities across Western Massachusetts and brought together those in recovery, counselors, healthcare providers, as well as fellow elected officials.

This week I had the pleasure of touring the construction efforts of Holyoke Veterans’ Home alongside Congressman Neal. It is incredible to see this project take life after our years of advocacy. One of my proudest moments as legislator was shepherding the $400 million bond bill through the legislature to Governor’s desk to fund this very construction project for our veterans. Our veterans deserve the very best that the Commonwealth can provide, and I cannot wait for construction to be completed and the day that Veterans are welcomed in to call the new building home.

Back here in Westfield, I had the honor of attending the Westfield Boys and Girls Club’s Youth of the Year Celebration on Wednesday evening where I presented citations to this year’s Youth of the Year candidates Olivia Jannakas and Emily Frangie. Both Olivia and Emily are outstanding young women who have stood out for their dedicated service to our community as well as their exemplary leadership skills. Congratulations, Olivia and Emily!

I had the best time joining Mrs. Price’s second grade class at Coburn Elementary School in West Springfield on Friday. The class selected a wonderful series of books that I read aloud to them, and it was great to hear their enthusiasm about all that have learned this year. Thank you to Mrs. Price for having me!

This week my office hosted office hours at the Agawam COA on Monday. Next week, we will be at the Chicopee COA on Tuesday from 10:00am to 11:00am and at the West Springfield COA on Wednesday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Sincerely,

John Velis

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday marked National Vietnam War Veterans’ Day, a day where we honor and remember our Vietnam Veterans, those still Missing in Action, and their families. To all those who served in Vietnam thank you for your service and Welcome Home!

Monday morning, I started off my week with the dedication of US Route 20 as a National Medal of Honor Highway in West Springfield.  Historic route 20 is the longest continuous highway in the United States and stretches all the way from Oregon to Massachusetts. Recently it has been designated as the Medal of Honor highway to serve as a permanent tribute to those who have served in our Armed Forces and distinguished themselves with acts of valor.  I was proud to have introduced the legislation, which has since been signed into law, that made Massachusetts the final piece in the nationwide chain of the Medal of Honor Highway designations. 

Later that day, I was able to tour the ARTery with Holyoke Art Inc and Representative Duffy.  This non-profit does great work to support local cultural and arts programming right here in the Paper City. I encourage you to pop to see all of the incredible artwork on display made by local artists.

On Tuesday, I was able to go for a ride along with the West Springfield Fire Department to learn how I can best support our first responders’ and the work that they do to keep our communities safe.  This amazing group of hard-working public servants work tirelessly, and I would like to thank them for allowing me to come along and see what their day to day is like. 

I had the honor of presiding over a mock trial for Easthampton High School’s “We the Team People” team while they were visiting the State House on Thursday.  This course focuses on American civics and the origins and philosophies of how our government was created. Teams from throughout the state and nation compete against each other in mock congressional hearings to test their knowledge on our government and nation’s founding.  For yet another year, the EHS team has won the Massachusetts State Championship and will be moving onto the National competition.  As veteran, lawyer, and lawmaker, I believe these topics and their debate is an essential part of American education and I was thrilled to have been asked to assist them in preparation for the National Competition.  Best of luck to the Easthampton Eagles! 

This week my office hosted office hours at the Westfield COA on Monday and at the Southampton COA on Wednesday.  Next week, we will be at the Agawam COA on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm.  If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Sincerely,

John Velis

Legislation would require public database of safety violations

BOSTON (3/28/2024)—Today the Senate unanimously passed legislation to boost safety for people conducting “hot work”—welding, plasma cutting, and spark-producing construction—by requiring the state to create a public database of violations of the fire prevention statute, and a public notification system to alert workers of violations.

The passage of S.1485—An Act relative to violation of regulation regarding hot work processes—comes in the days following the ten year anniversary of the tragic nine alarm fire in the Back Bay, started by welders working on a nearby iron railing, that resulted in the deaths of two Boston firefighters.

The Senate bill would work to prevent such tragedies by promoting transparency and prioritizing safety for Massachusetts firefighters.

“This legislation isn’t just a precaution—it is a commitment to the wellbeing and protection of our first responders and residents. Our firefighters, and anyone whose job includes hot work, should have confidence in the safety of their workplace, and know that they are protected from a tragic situation like the one that took the lives of Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy far too soon. I’m thankful to Senator Collins for his work on this bill, and to Chairs Rodrigues and Timilty for shepherding it through their committees. I very much hope to see the measure signed into law,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland).

“With a proliferation of commercial and residential development projects ongoing all around the Commonwealth, it’s paramount to ensure that all safety measures are taken in strict compliance with state fire code. We can never be safe enough, and I’m heartened that this no-cost legislation will enable the Department of Fire Services, in coordination with the Department of Occupational Licensure, to document and punish code violators, where every day working men and women’s lives are literally on the line,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“The heartbreaking loss of life in the 2014 Back Bay fire is a constant reminder of the importance of firefighter safety. As the Senate Chair of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, I am honored to have shepherded this crucial bill through the committee,” said Senator Walter F. Timilty (D-Milton), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. “Today, the Senate’s action represents an important step forward in ensuring that our remarkable firefighters have the resources that they need to keep themselves safe and protect our communities.”

“This legislation represents historic regulatory reforms that the Walsh-Kennedy Commission helped institute across the hot works and welding industry in Massachusetts. Passing this legislation will ensure that the critical reforms, training, oversight, and accountability needed to prevent tragedies like the Back Bay fire, will be the law of the land. We do this in honor law of Boston Fire Lieutenant Edward Walsh and Firefighter Michael Kennedy so that their sacrifices are not in vain,” said Senator Nick Collins (D-Boston), primary sponsor of the bill.

Having been passed by the Senate, the bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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Debt Collection Fairness Act would protect wages and reduce exorbitant interest charges

BOSTON (3/28/2024)—Today, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to protect consumers and help keep people from being pushed into financial ruin if they are sued for financial debt. The new law would make debt collection practices fairer, protect wages, and make clear that no person can go to prison for their debt.

The Debt Collection Fairness Act— S.2713—would protect thousands of families across the state, including many in communities of color, by reducing the interest rate from 12% to 3% on judgments on consumer debt, which is often old debt that has been bought by debt collection companies for pennies on the dollar.

It would also protect at least $975 in wages per week from a person subject to wage garnishment because of a debt and ensure that no one in the Commonwealth is imprisoned for failure to pay a consumer debt. Currently only $750 per week in wages is protected from garnishment. The bill would also reduce, from 6 years to 5 years, the time in which a company can bring suit to collect a consumer debt.

“Families already in the grips of debt should not have to choose between putting food on their table and paying exorbitant costs charged by debt collection companies, or fear imprisonment,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It is a story we hear too often, and far too often in our communities of color. An equitable Commonwealth is one where we have people’s backs—I’m proud that the Senate took action today to do just that, and thankful to Chair Rodrigues, Chair Feeney, and Senator Eldridge for their work.”

“In an unsettled economy, the last thing we need is unsavory debt collectors preying upon our most vulnerable population, making it difficult, if not impossible for working families to emerge from financial distress. I’m pleased the Senate has made updating archaic consumer protections laws and instilling fairness in our debt collection practices a priority in this session. With growing increases in technology, we must stay abreast of debt collection companies who remain mired in the onerous debt collection practices of the past, which are no longer relevant,” said Senator Michael J. Rodrigues, (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

“In Massachusetts, no family should have to choose between putting food on the table or making a minimum payment on a ballooning debt,” said Senator Paul Feeney, (D-Foxborough), Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. “Debt collection practices can, at times, be predatory, unlawful, and designed to squeeze every dime out of middle-class and low-income families, especially with the added burden of accumulating interest and additional fees that are designed to push families over a financial cliff. The Debt Collection Fairness Act will not eliminate debt or an obligation to pay, but it will add needed guardrails to protect hard-working families from financial ruin, give a lifeline to those caught in a debt spiral, and help deliver hope to those in a vicious cycle. I thank Senator Jamie Eldridge for his advocacy, the many stakeholders and advocates who brought this bill forward, and the leadership of Chairman Michael Rodrigues and Senate President Karen Spilka for prioritizing and championing this matter in the Massachusetts State Senate.”

“I am excited that the Debt Collection Fairness Act has been passed by the Senate and I’m grateful to the Senate Chairman of the Joint Committee on Financial Services Paul Feeney for his tremendous advocacy for this important consumer protection bill,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), primary sponsor of the bill. “This bill aims to implement stricter regulations on debt collectors in order to prevent financial mistreatment of Massachusetts residents. It seeks to safeguard consumers’ economic security during debt repayment, prohibit excessively high interest rates, and eliminate the possibility of consumers being sent to ‘debtor’s prison’ when facing legal action. The Debt Collection Fairness Act is a critical consumer protection bill, and I’m grateful to Senate President Spilka and Senate Ways and Means Chairman Rodrigues for their support.”

This is the third time a version of the bill has passed the Senate. It now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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Hello Everyone,

I hope you all were able to enjoy the many St. Patrick’s Day festivities over this past month. I was proud to have marched in the Holyoke Parade last weekend alongside my fellow elected officials from the Paper City. I’m already looking forward to next year’s celebrations!

Speaking of Holyoke, I’m proud to announce that the City was awarded over $89,000 in funds from the Municipal Americans with Disabilities Act Grant. This money will go a long way to make the City of Holyoke a more accessible place for people of all abilities.

To start off the week I was proud to join Senator Mark at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Your Six Recovery program at Swift River Recovery in Cummington. In addition to all the services provided by Swift River, this new program, “Your Six”, specializes in supporting those who have served in the Armed Forces that are struggling with a substance use disorder. The experiences veterans endure while serving our nation are so often a contributing factor to these struggles and a recovery program that specializes in their care will go a long way in helping our veterans get the treatment they need. In addition to this important celebration, my team attended the grand re-opening of Holiday Quail Run Estates in Agawam. This newly renovated facility allows seniors to live independently while receiving the care that that they need.

This week while at the State House I had the opportunity to meet with several medical students currently beginning their careers with Baystate Medical Center. It was great to hear from them all that they are learning and the incredible job that Baystate Health does to equip them with skills to support their patients’ mental health. On Friday, I joined Baystate Health for their annual legislative lunch where I was able to commend them for their program and learn more about the ways I can help support their work.

This week my office hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday. Next week, we will be at the Westfield COA on Monday from 11:30am to 12:30pm and at the Southampton COA on Wednesday from 9:30am to 11:30am. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.

Sincerely,

John Velis

EARLY ED Act would expand accessible, affordable, and high-quality care across the state

BOSTON (3/15/2024)—Yesterday, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously passed legislation to make early education and care more accessible and affordable for families across Massachusetts.

The EARLY ED Act—An Act ensuring affordability, readiness and learning for our youth and driving economic development—takes transformative steps to improve the affordability and sustainability of childcare programs by making the state’s Commonwealth Cares for Children (C3) operational grant program permanent, expanding eligibility for the state’s subsidy program and capping subsidy recipients’ childcare costs at 7 per cent of family income, and boosting compensation for educators by creating a career ladder and providing scholarships and loan forgiveness.

“An equitable and competitive Commonwealth is one in which every child and family has access to affordable quality early education,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “At the same time, we must recognize the incredible work of the providers who are shaping the minds and hearts of our earliest learners. Today I’m proud that the Massachusetts Senate is once again taking action to lower costs for families, open up more opportunities for children, increase pay for our early educators, and make support for providers permanent so they can keep their doors open and thrive for years to come. I extend my thanks to Chair Rodrigues and Chair Lewis for their diligent work, all of my Senate colleagues for their support, and the many, many people who have advocated for early education and care.”

“As a parent to a little one myself, I was proud to support this legislation which makes key investments to expand access to affordable childcare for working families and support the development of young children in the Commonwealth,” shared Senator John C. Velis (D-Westfield). “I am extremely thankful for the Senate President’s leadership and for my colleagues work on this important issue. From lowering costs for families, to increasing the pay for providers, and supporting the professionalization of this dedicated workforce- there is so much that this bill will do to support children during these fundamental years and drive economic development all across our state.”

“Access to high-quality, affordable early education and childcare is essential for the healthy development of young children, as well as for the economic well-being of working families and employers in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “With the passage today of the EARLY ED Act, Massachusetts is demonstrating national leadership in addressing the broken early education and childcare system in our country. I’m very grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka for her passionate leadership on this issue; the Common Start coalition for their years-long advocacy to build grassroots momentum; and all the early education providers, educators, parents, and advocates who have shared their struggles, ideas, and expertise throughout the process of developing this transformative legislation.”

By extending access to high-quality education and care to families who currently lack access because of cost or availability, the bill seeks to set children up for future success and drive the Massachusetts economy forward.

The bill would make the state’s C3 grants permanent, which provides monthly payments directly to early education and care providers. The grants, which provide monthly payments to more than 92 per cent of early education and care programs across the Commonwealth, have become a national model thanks to their success at keeping programs’ doors open during the pandemic, reducing tuition costs for families, increasing compensation for early educators, and expanding the number of childcare slots available.

The legislation improves affordability by expanding eligibility for childcare subsidies to families making up to 85 per cent of the state median income (SMI), which is $124,000 for a family of four. It eliminates cost-sharing fees for families receiving subsidies who are below the federal poverty line, and caps cost-sharing fees for all other families receiving subsidies at seven percent of their income, putting millions of dollars back into families’ pockets. Finally, the bill paves the way for expanding the subsidy program to families making up to 125 per cent SMI, or $182,000 for a family of four, when future funds become available.

The legislation provides much-needed support for educators by directing the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) to establish a career ladder with recommended salaries. This career ladder will help increase salaries in this historically underpaid field. The bill would also make scholarship and loan forgiveness programs for early educators permanent, as well as direct the state to explore more innovative ways to develop this crucial workforce.

Notably, the bill would also create an innovative public-private matching grant pilot program, which would incentivize employers to invest in new early education and care slots, with priority given to projects serving families with lower income and those who are located in childcare deserts. In addition, the bill tasks the Administration with completing a study to further analyze ways to incentivize or require employers to partner with the state to expand access to high-quality and affordable early education and care.

The bill also includes provisions that would:

• Ensure that early education and care programs serving children with subsidies are reimbursed based on enrollment, rather than attendance, to provide financial stability to programs.
• Require the cost-sharing fee scale for families participating in the childcare subsidy program to be updated every five years to ensure affordability for families.
• Establish a pilot program to expand access to shared-service hubs, which would support smaller early education and care programs.
• Increase the maximum number of children that can be served by fully-staffed large family childcare programs, aligning with states such as New York, California, Illinois, and Maryland.
• Bar zoning ordinances from prohibiting family childcare programs in certain areas, preventing an unnecessary hurdle to the expansion of childcare slots.

Having been passed by the Senate, the legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.

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