Hello Everyone,
I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather and trying to stay cool.
The end of this legislative session on July 31st is quickly approaching — meaning we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us to finalize important bills and get them to the governor’s desk!
This week in the Senate we passed our transportation bond bill, which makes critical funding authorizations for projects around our Commonwealth. One of the highlights of the bill was $275 million that the Western Mass delegation secured together for West-East Rail, a huge step towards making this project a reality. Several pieces of funding for projects in our district were also adopted, including $5 million for the replacement of the Main Street sewer in Agawam.
Also this week, the Senate passed some critical animal welfare bills. Among other things, the bills passed improve kennel conditions for puppies and kittens, provide a path to adoption for retired research lab dogs and cats, and officially adds Massachusetts to the Interstate Wildlife Violators Compact! Protections like these are so important but they are just the beginning. Thank you to the animal rights organizers, my fellow legislators, and everyone in between who helped make this legislation possible!
Meanwhile, in human-related news, Barbara Bernard turned 95 over the weekend! Barbara has been a trailblazer for women in local media for over 70 years out of Holyoke. Her birthday and admirable career were celebrated on Sunday morning in Holyoke, joined by so many from around the region.
This week I was also able to present the Jachym family of Westfield with a citation ahead of the American Legion Post 124 baseball game in recognition of their pivotal role in the organization. For over 4 generations the Jachym family has been involved in the post baseball team as well as Westfield youth baseball. Thank you for your dedication to coaching, youth mentorship, and your community!
My team held in-person office hours this week in Agawam and Chicopee on Monday morning at their respective Councils on Aging. We appreciate any opportunity to help our community, so please do not hesitate to stop by! Next week we will be holding them in Holyoke at the Holyoke Council on Aging on Monday from 10:00-11:00am.
This Friday I was thrilled to join the Westfield Council on Aging for their Bingo night. It is an honor to be entrusted with the responsibility of calling Bingo. This is event is such a great way to get out into the community and one that I dearly missed during the events of the last two years. I’m so happy that it’s finally back. Hope to see you all there at the next one.
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