State Rep. Pat Duffy and Sen. John Vilas met in person with Holyoke’s Development & Government Relations subcommittee Tuesday for an extended discussion about state support for local infrastructure, public-safety and public-health concerns, and community priorities.

The delegation confirmed a recently announced allocation of roughly $777,000 for emergency levy repair work and said additional state and federal grant requests are pending, including a major Army grant and funds for a new centrifuge at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Council members asked the delegation to help coordinate letters of support and follow-up with state agencies.

Sen. Vilas and Rep. Duffy said they value regular local–state engagement. “When local government reaches out to state, we’ve got a problem, and we sit down and we work together,” Vilas said. Rep. Duffy described the $777,000 as the result of sustained coordination among city public works staff and state offices.

Committee members pressed the delegation on several recurring local issues:

- Veterans home: Councilors praised the ongoing project and asked how increased capacity will be funded. Vilas and Duffy said higher operating costs tied to additional beds and staffing will be part of upcoming budget discussions and that they are monitoring funding proposals in the House and Senate.

- Transportation and Chapter 90: Councilors asked the delegation to push for changes to the state funding formula that they said disadvantages Western Massachusetts municipalities. The delegation said discussions with transportation officials are underway and expressed willingness to pursue formula changes and additional Chapter 90 aid.

- Mass Pike tolling and commercial truck routing: Councilors complained that heavy tractor‑trailer traffic is avoiding some tolled segments and concentrating on Homestead Avenue and other local roads. The committee requested state help to study tolling between Westfield and West Springfield as a way to reroute long‑haul trucks onto the Pike and reduce wear and traffic on local streets.

- Behavioral health and juvenile justice: Youth advocates from Palante testified in favor of H.D. 4297 / S.D. 1699 (referred to in testimony as a "Counselors over Cops" measure) and a separate “raise the age” proposal that would keep 18–20‑year‑olds in juvenile processes in some cases. The delegation praised the testimony, said they would review bill language, and stressed the importance of data collection and evidence-based diversion programs. Rep. Duffy noted he has previously supported similar rehabilitative measures.

- Panhandling, encampments and public health: Councilors described recent tent encampments that drew needles and other hazardous waste, requiring cleanup and emergency response. The delegation acknowledged the public-health concerns and said state and local agencies should coordinate to provide services and to clean hazardous sites.

- Cannabis industry impacts and PILOT agreements: Councilors raised concerns about local economic promises tied to cannabis facility investments, noting several large facilities in Holyoke that have remained underused and have not produced the expected employment impacts. Councilors asked the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) to clarify host-community agreement rules and enforcement. Sen. Vilas and Rep. Duffy said the legislature is reviewing regulatory gaps and that the legislature may revise oversight of the CCC.

- Budget outlook: Both legislators said the state budget process is fluid and that they are watching possible Medicaid and other cuts; Sen. Vilas said he is pressing to protect Department of Mental Health funding and to prioritize early behavioral health interventions.

The subcommittee took a procedural vote to comply with orders asking the delegation for future meetings and assistance on state-level items (orders 3–5 were recorded as complied with); the committee granted leave to withdraw on a separate order (item 6). The delegation agreed to return for further meetings and to accept constituent follow-ups.

Direct youth testimony: Annabella Reeves and other young people from Palante urged support for H.D. 4297 / S.D. 1699 (Counselors over Cops). Jaslene Serrano and other youth speakers urged the “raise the age” approach to juvenile justice. Both legislators thanked the young speakers for participating and said they would read the bills and consider the testimony in committee deliberations.

Committee members asked the delegation to remain engaged on these topics and to return to the subcommittee for follow-up. The legislators said they will coordinate with state agencies, provide written follow-ups as appropriate, and invited councilors and residents to reach out directly.