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Western Mass. Lawmaker Confident State Senate Will Approve New Soldiers' Home

The Soldiers' Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts.
Jesse Costa

On Thursday, the Massachusetts state Senate will consider a bill that would provide $400 million to build a new facility for veterans.

State Senator John Velis, who represents the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire district, said he believes  there will be a vote in favor. 

"I think that this bill is going to be taken up for a vote on Thursday and I anticipate strong support — that it will pass," Velis said.

Last week, a Senate committee voted to add another $200 million to provide better help to veterans in the state, who aren't served by the soldiers' home in Holyoke or another one near Boston.

Velis said he fully supports the additional funding.

"As we will frequently say, a veteran is a veteran is a veteran no matter where you lay your head at night," he said.

If the Senate passes the bill, it would need to be reconciled with a version passed by the House. The resulting legislation would then go to Governor Charlie Baker for his signature. 

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Before joining New England Public Media, Alden was a producer for the CBS NEWS program 60 Minutes. In that role, he covered topics ranging from art, music and medicine to business, education and politics.