Happy New Year!
As we begin the new year and close the books on 2025, all of us on Team Velis cannot help but reflect on all the tremendous accomplishments that the Senator and our office achieved for the Hampden and Hampshire District last year!
The Senator’s top priority has always been responding to the needs of his constituents. Our office always prioritizes helping those in our community who may be in need of assistance while navigating an issue with a state agency or locating local resources. We are proud to share that our office assisted well over 310 constituents with a variety of different issues this past year including applying for unemployment benefits, updating information with the RMV, and sharing housing resources. Please never hesitate to reach out to our office if we can be of assistance!
Over at the State House, the Massachusetts State Senate had an incredibly busy and productive first year of the legislative session. Getting to work right on New Years Day for a very special swearing in ceremony last year, Senator Velis filed numerous pieces of legislation on issues most important to the residents of our district including bills focused on affordability, public safety, and more! While many bills often only receive an initial review by committee during the first year of the legislative session, Senator Velis worked closely with his colleagues so that three pieces of legislation that he authored were not only reported out of committee but overwhelmingly passed by the Senate! While 2025 may have come to an end, the second year of the legislative session will be underway very shortly where we expect to share many more legislative updates with you all.
Last year Senator Velis secured $1,250,000 in earmark funding for our district that will support our local schools, community organizations, and much more! Whether it was helping support grant applications submitted by municipalities and local organizations or advocating for the adoption of earmark funding, Senator Velis is always working diligently to secure funding to bring back home to the district! Visit the Senator’s website to check out the programs that will be receiving earmark funding this fiscal year!
By far and away, one of Senator Velis’s favorite parts of serving the Hampden and Hampshire district is the ability to attend community gatherings and connecting with constituents. While there were many different memorable events that come to mind, some of the Senator’s very favorite include hosting Senate President Spilka for a Youth Mental Health Roundtable in Agawam, being named Scouting America’s Distinguished Citizen of the Year, and receiving the Big E’s Quilt of Valor surrounded by his entire family.
Check out more of 2025’s memorable moments!
Next week, we will be hosting our first office hours of 2026 at the Agawam Council on Aging on Monday from 11:00AM to 12:00PM. If you are unable to make office hours, you can continue to reach us by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely, 
Team Velis