Dear Friends,
I hope you are doing well and staying healthy during these difficult times. As 2021 begins, I am beginning a new tradition. This is the first of hopefully many newsletters from my office to your inbox. I hope this will be a helpful and informative resource to you all, and feel free to let me know if there are other things you would like to see!
COVID-19 Updates
Community Spread
Agawam, Chicopee, Easthampton, Holyoke, Southampton, Southwick, and Westfield are designated as Red (high-risk) communities.
Russell is designated as a Yellow (moderate-risk) community.
Granville, Montgomery, and Tolland are designated as Gray (lowest-risk) communities.
Daily and weekly COVID-19 response reporting can be found here.
Testing
To find a private or public COVID-19 testing site near you, click here.
The State is currently operating two Stop-The-Spread free COVID-19 testing sites in our district at Holyoke Community College and the Holyoke War Memorial.
Click here for Stop-The-Spread testing locations, times, and contact information.
COVID-19 is still prominent in our communities, and it is critical that we remain vigilant of our interactions with others. Travel restrictions, gathering restrictions, and capacity limits for businesses are still in place and are changing based on case rates. We must continue to wear masks and social distance in order to curb the spread. For the most updated guidance, click here.
Vaccine Distribution
As of Thursday January 29th, there have been 496,103 total cumulative doses of vaccines administered and reported in Massachusetts. The vaccine distribution program and phases are being managed by Governor Baker and the Department of Health.
We are currently in PHASE 1 of distribution which includes:
- All health care workers,
- Residents and staff of long term care facilities, and congregate care facilities,
- Home health care workers and non-COVID-facing health care workers, and
- First responders.
PHASE 2 is set to begin on FEBRUARY 1. Here is the order of eligibility for this phase:
- Individuals 75+
- Individuals 65+ or with 2+ comorbidities
- Early education and K-12 workers, transit, utility, food and agriculture, sanitation, public works, and public health workers,
- Individuals with one comorbidity
How to Get a Vaccine
- Visit mass.gov/COVIDvaccine to find your phase and priority group
- If you are eligible: use mass.gov/COVIDVaccineMap to find a vaccine clinic near you
- Make an appointment online and fill out the attestation form
I have heard from many of you about the difficulties of using the state’s website and finding an appointment. It should not be this difficult or confusing, and I will continue to press the Baker administration for better communication and organization.
In addition to these conversations with the Governor’s office, I have also co-sponsored legislation that will improve the vaccination appointment system by directing the Department of Health to create a centralized booking process and 24/7 phone hotline.
In an effort to keep you all updated as new vaccine information becomes available, I will also be sending a weekly email on COVID-19 vaccine distribution to my constituents. Please sign up on my COVID-19 Update Page if you would like to be added to my list.
End of 2020 Legislative Session
On Wednesday, January 6th, the 191st General Court finished its last formal session just before 5AM. Some of you might remember that the legislative session normally ends on July 31st every two years, but because of the pandemic, the session was extended. I want to share some of the major pieces of legislation we finished before the end of session:
Patients First Act
The Senate has made major commitments to increasing access to health care during these difficult times, including passing the final version of the Patients First Act. This legislation builds on vital lessons learned during the COVID-19 public health crisis. This bill makes tele-health services permanently available, protects patients by ending the unfair practice of surprise billing, and requires healthcare providers to notify patients of a healthcare provider’s network status before non-emergency procedures.
Economic Development Bill
At the end of session the legislature passed the Economic Development bill, which will provide major relief and support to our economy as we begin to recover from the financial consequences of COVID-19. This was a critical response from the state government to help those who have struggled during this pandemic. Click here for my full press release.
- Some of the funding highlights:
- ✅ $20 million in grants to restaurants;
- ✅ $30 million for payroll protection;
- ✅ $20 million for MAGCC small business grant program;
- ✅ $15 million for vocational technical school expansion grants;
- ✅ $15 million for higher education workforce grants; and
- ✅ $100 million for local economic development projects.
- Some of the policy highlights:
- ✅ Creation of a ‘Future of Work’ commission to examine ways to promote sustainable jobs, fair benefits and workplace safety standards in all industries.
- ✅ Creation of a Student Loan Bill of Rights and Student Loan Ombudsman’s office with the Attorney General to protect students from loan servicer issues.
FY’21 Budget
One of the challenges COVID-19 has presented to our state has been our financial planning. With tax deadlines extended last spring, and an unclear picture of how federal aid and state revenues were going to look, the state government had been operating on a series of interim budgets since last July. In early November though, the Senate passed a final Fiscal Year 2021 budget that was finally signed into law by Governor Baker in December.
The budget makes key investments into our public health care system, and funds MassHealth at a total of $18.2 billion. This will maintain critical access to affordable health care coverage for over 1.9 million people, ensuring that comprehensive care for our most vulnerable children, seniors and low-income residents is protected in the middle of a public health crisis.
Continuing the Senate’s long-standing support of targeted investments in education, this budget also includes level funding for Chapter 70 and for Public Higher education. This investment will allow all school districts to maintain foundation spending levels while accounting for enrollment and inflation changes.
This pandemic has also greatly exacerbated problems of housing and food insecurity in our communities. I was proud to support a number of key funding initiatives in the budget to help those struggling, including $180.7 million for Emergency Assistance Family Shelters, $135 million for the Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), and $30 million for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program to ensure vulnerable households can access food options.
For a full press release on the budget, click here.
Budget Amendments for the District
In the budget I was also able to secure several amendments allocating funding for the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district.
The first allocated $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Westfield and Holyoke. The impact that these Clubs have on the lives of youth has always been amazing, but during these difficult times they have adapted in incredible ways to meet the needs of our families. From providing meals and groceries, to setting up safe learning spaces for students, the Clubs have gone above and beyond for our communities. This funding will help provide the Clubs with the resources they need to continue these important services.
Another one of my amendments that was adopted allocates $100,000 to Baystate Hospital and $50,000 to the Agawam Police Department for their critical work in combatting the opioid epidemic. While opioid addiction and substance use disorders have been always been prominent issues in our communities, they have been greatly exacerbated by the isolation and stress of COVID-19. It is critical that we are providing hospitals and first responders with the resources necessary to help those struggling with addiction, and I was proud to advocate for these organizations in our district.
Holyoke Soldiers’ Home
As part of the Legislature’s Oversight Committee on the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, I have been part of a several hearings as we continue our investigation into how we can improve the Home so that a tragedy like the COVID-19 outbreak last spring never happens again.
On Thursday, January 21st, our Committee held a public hearing with administration staff and employees on staffing and labor-related issues. In addition to bringing up concerns that I have heard from residents and families, we heard testimony regarding the importance of improving staffing schedules at the facility.
It has become apparent that there is not enough support for the residents and families at the Home. It is also clear that staffing levels at the Home need to be improved and that there is not enough oversight at the facility for when issues do arise.
In the recent FY’21 budget I secured $200,000 for the creation of an ombudsman’s office at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home and $200,000 for increased and improved resources for residents. I believe this oversight position will greatly help the Home moving forward. The ombudsman’s office will be an independent, impartial, and confidential resource for residents and families to turn to when issues and concerns with care arise, and I was proud to advocate for this funding during the budget debate.
Last month I also joined Comcast Newsmakers to talk about the legislature’s budget process and the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. You can watch the interview here.
New 2021-2022 Legislative Session
On Wednesday, January 6th, the new legislative session began. I was sworn in for a full two-year term in a virtual ceremony from my Westfield office. It is the honor of my lifetime to represent the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district and I’m so excited to continue to work alongside you all for the next two years.
As the new session begins, I am researching potential legislation to file and have been meeting with many different advocates across our district and state. The most immediate focus in the coming months is still going to be COVID-19 and our economic recovery. One of my main legislative focuses is going to be on workforce development, and how we can prepare the next generation with the skills necessary.
Aside from COVID-19 and workforce legislation, my office has been researching policies in a number of different areas as well, including substance use/addiction policies, Veterans affairs, and animal rights issues. In addition, I will be filing several bills from my time as a State Representative and also several home rule petitions on behalf of municipalities in our district.
One of my favorite legislative meetings so far was with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. We had a great conversation about animal rights legislation, and even my cat, Finnegan, joined on!
I will be continuing to do research in the coming weeks. If you have thoughts or ideas for potential legislation, never hesitate to reach out to me.
Around the District
A picture from a warmer fall day with the Easthampton Fire Department. Thanks to Chief Norris for inviting me and showing me how they operate their equipment.
Throughout the pandemic it’s been incredible to see the ways our community has stepped up for those in need, including the great folks at the Southwick, Granville, and Tolland Food Pantry.
During an early November visit, I was joined by members of the State Police who made a donation to help the pantry’s work!
In early December I joined Mayor Sapelli and State Representative Boldyga in Agawam for the grand opening of Vanguard Renewables new Organics Recycling Facility.
The new facility will help process expired and unsafe food waste into renewable energy.
During the week of Christmas, I joined the Russell Police Department for their holiday food drive. We compiled and delivered meals and food boxes to families throughout Russell.
Always great to join the Westfield Council on Aging for their New Years Eve Luncheon!
Last week I met with Mayor Don Humason and Westfield’s new State Representative, Kelly Pease.
We had a productive conversation on how our work at the state and local levels can benefit Westfield residents.
Last week I also joined the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation in Springfield to help out with their #Coats4Vets program alongside some of my legislative colleagues.
Office Spotlight
Kevin Chambers, Constituent Services Aide
Kevin is a proud district native, having grown up in Westfield and recently moved to Easthampton. He is a graduate, as well as the Bronze Tablet winner, from the Westfield High Class of 2015. He also graduated from UMass Amherst where he earned his B.A. in Economics while also studying French and Political Science. When not running constituent services, he can usually be found on the ski slopes in the winter or out rafting in the summer. He is also fluent in French, having spent a year in the West Indies teaching English.
If you ever need any assistance with the unemployment system, the RMV, or any other state agency, Kevin is your man. He can be reached at kevin.chambers@masenate.gov or at our district office at 413-572-3920.
I hope this first newsletter was interesting and informative. If I can ever be of any assistance, please never hesitate to reach out. I am here to help.
I can’t wait until we can see each other again in person, but until then, stay safe and be well.
Sincerely,
John
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