Hello Everyone,
I hope you have all been enjoying the summer weather this week. Just a reminder that should you need help finding a cooling center near you, my office is ready and happy to assist.
We’ve had a busy schedule here in the Senate as we approach the end of the legislative session. My team and I have been hard at work this week as we review the legislature’s recent healthcare reform package. The affordability and accessibility of healthcare is one of the most pressing issues facing the Commonwealth and this bill takes aim at expanding both. I was proud to have worked on this alongside my fellow legislators and look forward to continuing this work throughout the rest of session.
Outside of my work on Beacon Hill, my team and I were busy throughout this week attending some fantastic community events. Monday afternoon, I had the honor of presenting a citation to Rose O’Brien of West Springfield at the Council on Aging in recognition of her “Gold Cane” award. This honor is bestowed upon the citizen of West Side who has lived in the town the longest and embodies best what it means to be a member of the community. Congratulations Rose!
Tuesday morning, my staff accompanied Secretary Ed Augustus of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for a tour of the Treehouse Intergenerational community in Easthampton as well as a tour of the Easthampton Housing Authority. Treehouse is such a wonderful neighborhood that brings together older adults and youth in the foster care system for a truly special and supportive community. Thank you to Secretary Augustus for coming all the way out to Western Mass for these tours.
Wednesday evening, I was joined by Governor Healey, Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper, and DCR Commissioner Brian Arrigo to play some basketball at the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club as a part of the DCR’s Summer Nights program. This program aims at to provide our urban youth with opportunities to organize and play sports in the evening outside of normal DCR program hours. Summer Nights provides such an essential service to kids here in the Valley and I was lucky to have been invited to play.
This week my team hosted office hours at the Easthampton COA on Tuesday and at the Holyoke COA. Next week, we will be at the Westfield COA on Monday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm and at the Russell COA on Tuesday from 11:30am to 12:30pm. If you can’t make office hours, I can always be reached by email, john.velis@masenate.gov, by phone, (413) 572-3920, and you can find me online at senatorjohnvelis.com.
Sincerely,
John Velis