Hello everyone,
I hope you all are enjoying this phenomenal weather. It should be a fantastic weekend to view quite a few aircraft at the Westfield International Airshow. I am sure looking forward to seeing the new F-35 Fighter in the skies over Western Massachusetts!
We had a busy week in the Senate as the Senate’s FY’24 Budget proposal released on Tuesday. For the last several days I worked with my team to file amendments prior to Friday’s deadline. After the Senate finishes its budget, the Senate and House will collaborate to reconcile any differences in our versions of the budget. I am excited to work with my colleagues to ensure that the priorities of the Hampden and Hampshire District are being met.
You may notice many folks sporting the color green this month. This is because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time of year that highlights the central part that mental health plays in our everyday lives. It is a reminder that we still have work to do to recognize, destigmatize, and address the mental health needs of our communities. It is also a time to thank and encourage those who are doing incredible work in the mental health space, they truly are lifesavers. I am pleased to see the record-breaking levels of funding to behavioral health systems in the Senate’s budget proposal, it is critically important that we support these institutions.
Between budget meetings, I kept busy with events throughout the district and in Boston. On Tuesday, I was able to attend the 20th Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys and Girls club at the Statehouse. It was exciting to hear about their new initiatives and the trends they are seeing from clubs across the state. As a club kid myself, I understand the incredible impact that clubs have on our youth, and I will continue to support them however I can in the Senate.
To end the week on Friday, I joined the Western Massachusetts Network to End Homelessness for their annual gathering at Holyoke Community College. The gathering included fellow legislators, local leaders, and community partners. While there, we collectively reviewed the extraordinary efforts that are taking place to address and prevent homelessness.
I’d also like to recognize three new businesses that held ribbon cuttings in the district this week. A warm welcome to Neurological Optimal Wellness, West Springfield Pharmacy & Wellness, and Eclectic Finds at The Bismarck. Wishing these businesses much continued success!
This week my team held office hours in Chicopee and West Springfield. Next week we will be at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday from 10:30 AM – 11:30 and then at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached at john.velis@masenate.gov or at (413)572-3920. You can also find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely,
John