Happy March Everyone,
In Like a Lion and Out like a Lamb, so they say. This first week of March has really been living up to that expectation with all the snow and freezing rain.
Here in the State Senate, we’ve been keeping busy now that session is in full swing. Thursday, I and Representative Duffy from Holyoke hosted a briefing with MassHire Holyoke for our colleagues in the State House regarding their Recovery Ready Workforce Initiative. This program allows employers to receive tools, resources, and coaching assistance to best aide their employees who are in recovery from substance abuse disorder. Over six businesses and four legislative offices have joined the program with hopefully many more to come.
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, there are Irish cultural events abound here in the Pioneer Valley. Sunday afternoon, I attended the City of Holyoke’s Irish Flag Raising at the John F. Kennedy Memorial. Wednesday was Agawam’s Irish night and the presentation of their Colleen and her Court. Thursday evening, I attended West Springfield’s early St. Patrick’s Day celebration hosted by City Counciler Clune. Tonight is Westfield’s Irish Night where our city’s Colleen and Court will be recognized. Many more events in the coming weeks as well. Sláinte!
This week, Governor Healey released her proposed budget for FY24 and I’m happy to announce that many of my own Tax Relief priorities were included in her proposal. Among these were an increase to the Child & Family Tax Credit, a doubling of the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit for low-income seniors paying property taxes or rent, and an increase to the Estate Tax threshold. I’m very much looking forward to working alongside the Governor, the House, and my colleagues in the Senate as we work on next year’s budget.
This week the Department of Public Health also held two public hearings on the proposed closures of the Governor’s Center and several other nursing homes in our region. During these hearings I continued to share my concerns on the closures and the impact they would have on our region. It is absolutely paramount that residents continue to get the care they need and will not be moved to a different geographic area that is inaccessible to their families. That is and will continue to be my top priority.
This week, my team hosted office hours at the Westfield COA on Monday. Next week, we will be at the Agawam COA on Monday from 11:00am to 12:00pm, the Russell COA on Tuesday from 11:30am to 12:30pm, and the West Springfield COA on Wednesday from 11:00am to 12:00pm. Please feel free to stop by with any questions, comments, concerns, or just to say hello!
If you are unbale 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!
Best,
John Velis