Agawam, West Springfield legislators take chairs, set goalsDate: 3/16/2023 BOSTON — State Sen. John Velis will chair two committees in the 2023-2024 legislative session.
Velis, a Democrat from Westfield whose district includes both Agawam and West Springfield, will continue to serve as Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs, and is taking on the additional role of Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery, after serving as vice chair in the previous session.
Velis was also recently appointed to a National Mental Health Task Force convened by the Council of State Governments and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
As for his continuing role on the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, Velis – a war veteran and a major in the U.S. Army Reserve – said “this is an area I will always be passionate about.”
“From securing funding to rebuild the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, to reforming the governance structure of both our Soldiers’ Homes, to passing the SPEED Act to support service members and military families, we are coming off of an incredible productive session in terms of veterans’ affairs,” he said. “I want to build off that momentum this session and focus on expanding outreach to women veterans, ensuring that the new Cabinet-level veterans secretariat has the support they need, and increasing benefits for veterans throughout our communities.”
Velis was also named vice chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs, and a member of four other joint committees: Housing; Judiciary; Public Safety and Homeland Security; and State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Representatives also received their committee assignments last month.
State Rep. Michael Finn, a West Springfield Democrat whose district also includes one precinct in Agawam and small portions of Chicopee and Westfield, was appointed by Speaker Ronald Mariano as House chair of the Joint Committee on Capital Expenditures and State Assets. This committee reviews bills relating to state lands and buildings and any loans or projects on the state’s credit.
“I’m excited to take on this new role and be able to continue my advocacy for the needs of Western Massachusetts residents,” said Finn. “I look forward to this new work managing state assets responsibly and providing funding for critical projects throughout the commonwealth.”
State Rep. Nicholas Boldyga is a Republican, and as such was not selected to chair any committees.
Boldyga will be the ranking minority party member on the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, and will also serve on the committees on Advanced Information Technology, Internet and Cybersecurity; Bonds, Capital Expenditures and State Assets; Environment and Natural Resources; and Financial Services.
“I am honored to have been appointed to these committees, and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues as we begin the legislative process,” Boldyga said. “I believe that we have a responsibility to work together and to make decisions that will benefit the people of Massachusetts.”
Boldyga also said he plans to fight for greater government transparency, lower taxes and policies that support small businesses and farmers.
“My constituents have made it clear that they want a government that is transparent and accountable, and I will work tirelessly to ensure that their voices are heard,” he said. “I will also continue to advocate for policies that support our small businesses and farmers, who are the backbone of our economy.”
His district includes most of Agawam, as well as his hometown of Southwick, and Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Middlefield, Montgomery, Russell and Tolland.
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