Hello Everyone,
As we celebrate Women’s History Month and March 8th’s International Women’s Day, I want to share my gratitude for the remarkable women in my life and recognize the work that we must continue to pursue to build a better world for women everywhere. I hope you can take a moment this month to recognize and appreciate the outstanding woman in your own life.
This week I was able to attend two ribbon cuttings for new local businesses. Wednesday morning marked the official ribbon cutting for the West Springfield location of Wood-N-Tap, the first of its Massachusetts locations. On Friday afternoon, woman-owned SHARP Salon opened up its second location in Agawam. It’s always great to see small business growth in the Pioneer Valley and I wish the best of luck to both new locations!
On Tuesday, my team and I visited the Behavioral Health Network in Westfield. BHN offers support to individuals with life challenges due to mental illness, substance use disorder, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Being the newly appointed Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, I know that working alongside BHN and other facilities like it are paramount as we take on the Commonwealth’s mental health crisis.
Friday morning, the Western Massachusetts AFL-CIO, which represents 60+ individual labor unions, hosted their annual Legislative Breakfast in Chicopee. With a warm welcome and a delicious breakfast, union members shared their organized labor legislative priorities for 2023.
Just after that, I attended the Springfield Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2023 Economic Outlook Event. Speakers, including Governor Healey, discussed this year’s economic forecast and the Chamber debuted their 2023 legislative agenda. I’d like to thank the Chamber for putting this on as well as Governor Healey for coming to Springfield to attend.
This week, my team and I hosted office hours at the Agawam COA on Monday, the Russell COA on Tuesday, and West Springfield COA on Wednesday. Next week, we’ll be at the Chicopee COA on Tuesday and the Holyoke COA on Wednesday, both from 10:00am to 11:00am. Please feel free to stop by with any questions, comments, concerns, or just to say hello!
If you are unable to make our office hours or need assistance any sooner, I can always be reached at my email: john.velis@masenate.gov or by phone: (413) 572-3920. You can also find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com where you can also sign up for my newsletter!
Sincerely,
John Velis