Westfield

Rep. Velis’ weekly update

Hello Westfield! Hope you are all doing well and had a great week.

I want to start my update this week by praising the statement made earlier this week by Speaker DeLeo promising that there will be no new broad-based taxes this fiscal year. As many of you know, I have long been a supporter of lowering taxes wherever possible and opposed to raising any new statewide taxes. In fact, last year, I voted several times with the Republicans to instate a meal tax holiday and to lower the sales tax back down to 5%. I have also come out in opposition to a proposed “sugar tax” on sodas and juices.

It’s always been my view that the middle-class taxpayer in Massachusetts is already stretched thin enough. There are many families who have seen their paychecks cover less and less over the years, and we need to make sure that, instead of raising new taxes, the government spends more wisely with existing revenue. With the new federal tax bill taking effect this year, many families will experience a small tax break- and that’s great. It’s my opinion that we need to ensure that the money coming back to taxpayers’ wallets doesn’t ultimately get reinvested into state taxes, instead.

On the other hand, this year’s budget is set to be one of the most complicated in almost a decade because of changes at the federal level. First and foremost, our brand new legal marijuana industry, which promised millions in new revenue, could now potentially be threatened by crack downs in the Justice Department. Additionally, we could be facing major cutbacks in federal funding for programs like MassHealth and SNAP that many families rely on, which would stretch the state’s resources thinner.

At the moment, MassHealth currently costs the state over $16 billion, or more than 40% of our state budget. While I would never discount the importance of MassHealth as a lifeline to so many who are struggling to make ends meet, it is also imperative to the financial wellbeing of the Commonwealth that we get costs under control. Last year, I was one of only a handful of Democrats to cross the aisle and vote for Governor Baker’s proposed MassHealth reforms that were aimed at lowering costs and making the system more efficient. I sincerely hope that this year, we can come to a compromise and implement some of the changes he wants to make.

Furthermore, voters will likely be deciding on two state-level ballot measures in November that will impact state revenue- the so-called “Millionaire’s Tax” that would add a 4% surtax onto income over $1 million, and a measure that would reduce the sales tax rate back to 5% and mandate an annual tax holiday. I am very much looking forward to the release of the Governor’s budget later this month to see how his office is handling all the potential changes. To say the least, this budget cycle will certainly be an interesting balancing act- stay tuned!

On another note, this week was an especially fun one for me back in Westfield. On Thursday, I had the pleasure of attending the 30th Anniversary Dance Party at the Forum House. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the great work of the Forum House, they are a clubhouse-style center for adults suffering from mental illness. They provide a safe, welcoming place for adolescents and adults to receive all kinds of services, from housing support to education and employment counseling. I have been a member of the Friends of the Forum House board for several years and love to visit whenever I can.

As an aside, the Forum House’s employment services program is always looking for new employers to work with. If you or someone you know is a local employer, I would encourage you to get in touch with the Forum House. The members receive varying levels of support from the Clubhouse, but are hard-working and dedicated individuals. This is a terrific opportunity for local businesses to get more involved with the community and really make a difference in someone’s life.

On Friday, I visited the Franklin Ave Elementary School to host their annual spelling bee for the 4th and 5th graders. The finalists from every elementary school will be competing in the citywide spelling bee in just a few weeks at Westfield State. The kids at Franklin Ave were seriously impressive- not even sure I could have spelled all the words I threw at them. A huge congratulations to the Franklin Ave winners, Ayesha and Lucy, for their spelling prowess, and I wish all the finalists the best of luck in February!

Finally, today I will be attending a Court of Honor for three local young men who have just reached the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. It is my sincere honor to present them with Citations from the House of Representatives congratulating them on their achievements and to thank them for the community service they provide. Every Eagle Scout must complete a service project to benefit a local organization and commit their time to earning merit badges regarding their duties as citizens in the community, the nation, and the world at large. Every time I attend one of these events, I am consistently impressed with the caliber of these young men and their dedication to giving back. So congratulations to Cody, John, and Jeremy, as well!

That’s it for this week, folks. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, my office can be reached at (413) 572-3920 or [email protected]. Have a good week!

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