John Velis Archives — Western Mass Politics & Insight

July 2024
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Avengers, er, Team Matthews-Kane, Assemble! (WMP&I)

Matthews-Kane Launches Rep Bid Vowing to Bring Home the Policy…and the Bacon…

WESTFIELD—While introducing Bridget Matthews-Kane Tuesday evening at the Shortstop Bar & Grill, former Springfield Mayor, one-time Governor’s Councilor and retired judge Mary Hurley touted the candidate’s biography. She explained how the three-term city councilor and State House hopeful has deep family roots here and across Hampden County.

Upon taking the mic to speak for herself at her kickoff, Matthews-Kane shifted to her granular work on the Council.

Westfield Councilor Files in Western Mass Swing District, Taking on Incumbent GOP…

few of the region’s incumbents face much risk in the general election. But now, one of the region’s true swing seats, anchored in Westfield, a swing community itself, will have a contest.

City Councilor Bridget Matthews-Kane, a Democrat, will run against Republican Rep Kelly Pease.

Take My Council, Please: Aspirations for a City on the Hill…

SPRINGFIELD—A relatively tame agenda before the City Council Monday quickly unraveled into much longer discourses. The body spent a considerable amount of time mediating on technical changes to legal documents. However, the body also had a pair of resolutions backing legislation in the legislature.

Former city councilor and now-Senator Adam Gomez appeared with Westfield Senator John Velis to discuss the firearm legislation.

Analysis: The Challenges Left in the Wake of the Soldiers’ Home Tragedy…

A tome’s worth of pages will have turned before Massachusetts and its West in particular, truly moves on from the tragedy of the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Lawsuits, bill-signings and administrative reshufflings have marked transitions thus far as openings will in the future. Still, the groundbreaking

Despite Glare of State Budget’s Tardiness, Legislators Praise FY24’s Virtues…

The Massachusetts state budget, which both legislative chambers on Beacon Hill passed Monday, was late. It passed 31 days after the last budget expired on June 30. A 10-day period for Governor Maura Healey has begun when she will review the document and issue any vetoes.

Briefings: New & Improved Veterans Office Overseeing Homes Opens…

About a month short of the three-year anniversary of the COVID-19 conflagration at the Holyoke Soldier’s Home, a new structure to oversee veterans programs has taken effect. However, things picked up speed after the legislature issued its own report in 2021.

An Assignment of the Times for the New Massachusetts Senate…

With Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka’s release of committee assignments, the upper house on Beacon Hill can now get down to legislating. Lawmaking will soon begin in earnest with full Democratic control of Beacon Hill for the first time in nearly a decade.

Results at Last Reveal the Best of the West in 2022 Races…

LUDLOW—In a night that showed Democrats holding out better than expected, Massachusetts made history with the election of the first woman as its chief executive. In the 413, the few competitive races sorted in line with expectations.

McGovern-ing the House: How the 2nd District’s Rep Has Chaired the Rules Committee…

WASHINGTON—The House of Representatives took a hiatus from its August break to pass the Inflation Reduction Act. Like all bills, the climate change legislation needed a rule from the Rules Committee. Chairman James McGovern opened the rare midsummer hearing on a different topic.

Briefings: Déjà vu for Velis, but with a Bit of a Tightrope This Time…

WESTFIELD—January 14, 2020 was an eternity ago. Yet, to the untrained eye, then-Rep John Velis’ first kickoff for Senate looked much like his reelection launch on Tuesday night. No one in 2020 knew Velis’ special election would be moved and the only celebration of his victory would be a coronavirus-safe gathering in a backyard here.

Springfield…and the World…

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