Hello,
I hope everyone had a great week and found ways to stay cool with the sweltering temperatures outside. As we head into August, I’d like to remind you all that my office is always available to help you locate a nearby cooling shelter.
Our interns Ali and Brandon had the opportunity to visit the Statehouse in Boston this week where they received tours, learned about the building’s extensive history, and got to see some of the work my team out in Boston handles. It has been a tremendous help to have both of them working with Team Velis this summer on policy research and assisting constituents. I am so grateful for their great work this summer and can’t wait to see all that is instore for them.
On Monday, the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery held it’s second hearing of the legislative session. During this hearing, the committee reviewed legislation to improve our behavioral health workforce and considered several proposed studies on mental health and addiction.
Throughout this week, I have been working closely with subject knowledge experts, including researchers with the Anxious Generation, and my legislative colleagues to work out the final details of the Senate’s Phone Free School bill that was taken up in session on Thursday. I am proud that the Senate worked on this urgently needed piece of legislation so early in our legislative session to support our educators and most importantly the future success and well-being of our Commonwealth’s children.
Massachusetts leads the nation in education, yet the prevalence of phones in schools across our Commonwealth threatens to undermine all of the hard work and funding we have poured into our schools to give our students the very best opportunities for success in life. The evidence is clear, removing students access to cell phones during school hours improves academic performance, supports their social development during critical years, and protects our children’s mental health. That is why over 20 other states, ranging from New York to Texas, have taken similar measures to restrict the use of cell phones in our schools. I am proud to have had a hand in developing a strong bill in the Senate but most of all I am beyond grateful to all the experts, students, educators, and administrators who have provided feedback along the way!
This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Westfield and Southampton. Next week Team Velis will be hosting office hours on Monday at the Agawam Council on Aging from 11:00am to 12:00pm. If you are unable to 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.  
Best, 
John Velis