Senator John Velis

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈

Looking forward to seeing community members at the Pride Flag raising at Westfield City Hall this evening and at events all across the district this month!

06/01/2026

🚨MassDOT has announced upcoming I‑90 repairs and lane closures in Lee, Russell, and Montgomery throughout this week! Please plan extra travel time and use caution in these areas.

• Lee: I‑90 eastbound bridge repairs with lane closures from mile markers 9.8–10.7 on June 1–2, 7 p.m.–5 a.m. Work expected to wrap by early June 3.

• Russell: I‑90 westbound guardrail repairs with lane closures from mile markers 34.0–32.0 on June 2–3, 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

• Montgomery/Russell: Bridge repairs in both directions at mile marker 36.0, June 1–5, from 6 a.m.–5 p.m.

Drivers should expect delays, follow posted signage, and stay alert. All work is weather‑dependent. For real‑time traffic updates, check the Mass511 app/website, dial 511, or follow .

06/01/2026

Happy Monday everyone! I'll be at office hours at the Agawam Council on Aging this morning from 11:00am to 12:00pm! Stop in to say hello or for assistance!

Start your week with my weekly update!
https://senatorjohnvelis.com/week-of-may-30th

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a great week Despite the rainy weather and having to transition indoors, the Westfield community truly turned out in droves to attend Monday morning’s Memorial Da…

05/28/2026

It is remarkable to see and reflect on the many improvements that have been made at the Holyoke Veterans' Home to ensure that our Commonwealth is living up to the promise of caring for our aging veterans with dignity, honor, and respect.

In the months that followed the Home's COVID-19 tragedy, I spent countless hours talking with families and dedicated staff where I made each of them a promise, never again, and I truly believe the new facility and the achievements celebrated yesterday will live up to that promise.

05/27/2026

Despite my friends in Southampton's highest hopes, my crochet skills did not get any better during my time away.

05/26/2026

Words cannot express how much I genuinely appreciated the opportunity over the past few days to come together with so many in our communities to remember and pay tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation.

Each Memorial Day, I cannot help but think and share the stories of the brave young soldiers I had the honor of serving with in Afghanistan that tragically never returned home to their families. There is a powerful message I read while returning home from my very first deployment, “Live a life worthy of their sacrifice”, an important reminder to cherish each day and the responsibility we all have to care for our service members and their families.

05/26/2026

Next week the Massachusetts Latino Empowerment Advisory Council is hosting a community forum on housing right in Holyoke! 🏘️

On Wednesday, June 3rd from 5:30–7:30 PM, the Council will be at the Holyoke Media Center for a conversation focused on strengthening and safeguarding communities across Massachusetts. This forum is an opportunity to share concerns, offer suggestions, and help shape efforts to improve the lives of our communities.

Learn more:
https://www.mass.gov/event/informational-community-forum-housing-06-03-2026

05/26/2026

I hope you all had a great long weekend! Team Velis will be hosting office hours TODAY at the Russell Council on Aging from 11:30am to 12:30pm and TOMORROW at the Southampton Council on Aging from 9:30am to 10:30am

Check out my weekly update:

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a great week! For most of the past week I was over at the State House participating in the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget debates. I’m proud to repo…

05/22/2026

In between budget debates this week, I had the opportunity to give a proper “Welcome Home” to two Vietnam Veterans near and dear to my office during the State House’s second annual Military Appreciation Day! 🇺🇸

Among those honored was Westfield’s Frederick Benda, who was recognized for his advocacy surrounding Agent Orange exposure. Last year, I had the privilege of partnering with Mr. Benda to ensure that Agent Orange Awareness Day is commemorated annually on August 10th in the Commonwealth.

I also had the chance to catch up with and thank Daniel Letourneau, who was recognized for his dedication to his local community, and who just so happens to have inspired my staffer, Caitlyn, to join me in this fight to ensure Massachusetts is the very best place for a Veteran to call home!

To all those honored yesterday: congratulations, and thank you for your service to our communities and nation!

05/22/2026

This week I was at the State House fighting hard for our communities here in Western Massachusetts as the Senate debated the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.

I'm proud to share that I secured $600,000 in local funding to support essential community programs that strengthen services, expand opportunities, and improve quality of life all across our district!