Hello,
I hope everyone had a great week! It was quite another busy one for Team Velis and I with all the activities happening across our district and as we prepare for next week’s debate of the Senate’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
This week I had the opportunity to visit Holyoke Community College’s excellent Culinary Arts Program with Representative Duffy. It was great to learn about all of the new programs available for students as well as some future initiatives they are interested in starting. Specifically, I was thrilled to learn about how they hope to utilize classroom experiences to support those in our community who might be experiencing food insecurity.
On Wednesday my office and I bid farewell to our all-star spring interns, Aiden and Andrew. Throughout the spring semester Team Velis and I have been lucky enough to have their help with conducting policy research, assisting constituents, monitoring the news, & attending events here in the district & out in Boston. I am so grateful for their great work this spring and can’t wait to see what their futures hold!
In between budget meetings I was able to make it over to two great celebrations on Thursday! First I joined the West Springfield Boys and Girls Club in celebrating the Club’s 2025 Youth of the Year, Thu Zar Win, with an official Senate citation. Over the past few years, Thu Zar has done a tremendous job mentoring younger Club kids with compassion. Later that evening I made my way over to the Amelia Park Arena to help celebrate their 25th Anniversary. Whether it’s dropping the puck for a game or hitting the ice myself for a charity sled-hockey game, there is always something positive going on at the arena. Beyond what is happening on the ice, Amelia Park Arena is a tremendous community partner that is constantly working to support other local organizations!
This week Team Velis hosted office hours in Westfield, Chicopee, and West Springfield. Next week Team Velis will be hosting office hours on Tuesday at the Easthampton Council on Aging from 10:30am to 11:30am and on Wednesday at the Holyoke Council on Aging from 10:00am to 11:00am. 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