Hello everyone,
Hard to believe that we are already halfway through October, but the weather is changing, and the calendar is speeding by.
This Tuesday marked the passage of World Mental Health Day. Mental health services are absolutely critical to our communities, and it is imperative that we continue to raise awareness and improve our knowledge around mental health issues. As the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery, I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues in the Legislature to make sure that those undergoing mental health crises and illnesses receive the care that they need.
On Tuesday, my team joined the Lieutenant Governor and Housing Secretary Ed Augustus in Springfield for a meeting with the Western Massachusetts Housing Coalition. We need to do more to increase our region’s housing stock and a lot of that is focused directly on our Gateway Cities. That is why I am especially glad that the recent Tax Relief legislation signed into law by the Governor includes a historic funding increase to the Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP), the only program specifically focused on developing market-rate housing in Gateway Cities. The legislation increases the statewide cap for the program from $10 million to $57 million for 2023, and subsequently to $30 million annually. This increase is estimated to create 12,500 new homes in Gateway Cities and spur over $4 billion of private investment.
Friday marked the beginning of Homecoming Weekend at Westfield State University. To kick it off, my team attended the ribbon cutting of Parenzo Hall. One of the oldest buildings on campus, it has been newly renovated be a new center of academia and hub of student development, with a significant amount of funding coming from the state. I’m looking forward to all that students and faculty use this space to accomplish and hope everyone participating this weekend has a great homecoming!
Today my team joined the 104th Fighter Wing for a retirement ceremony for 14 airmen who retired over the past year. It is also special to visit Barnes and I am grateful that my office could recognize these individuals with official Senate citation for their many years of dedicated service.
This week, my team hosted office hours at Chicopee COA on Tuesday and at the West Springfield COA on Wednesday. Next week, we will be hosting office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday from 10:30am to 11:30am and at the Holyoke COA on Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:00am. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 527-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com
Sincerely,
John Velis