CRAZY SCHEME
By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.
April 5, 2008
Congratulations to Whip City Candle Company who was recognized by the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition and the Forum House of Westfield for offering employment opportunities to people with mental illness. They received an award at the State House Wednesday.
I would like to thank President Ken Lafreniere and the Vietnam Veterans of America Westfield Chapter 219 for surprising me last Saturday at their Vietnam Day ceremony with an appreciation award and a beautiful clock plaque depicting the Vietnam Memorial wall in Washington, DC. I was humbled by their kind words. Westfield is fortunate to have such an active Veterans Council.
The St. Patrick’s Parade was held last Sunday and it was a beautiful day! The turnout in Holyoke was huge. I marched alongside my wife Janice and Mayor Mike and Karen Boulanger. We were joined by folks from the American Legion, Noble Hospital, Westfield State College, the Westfield High School band, Western Mass Hospital, the Westfield Police and Fire Department, and more.
Of course, the Sons of Erin were there too. We were proud to receive the 1st place award for best float in the Irish Category, but we all know that Westfield should have gotten the Grand Prize again this year. Congratulations to the Sons of Erin, the Float Committee, the Colleen and her Court, and the Irishman, Irishwoman, and Parade Marshal. It was a great day.
The House met in formal session Wednesday to pass an emergency Transportation Bond authorization. We needed to pass it to qualify for money from the Federal government. The Senate passed their version of the bill Thursday and included several amendments which have been causing quite a stir across the Commonwealth.
The issue of using civilian flag men at certain road construction sites in Massachusetts rather than always having to use police details has long been a popular one with fiscal conservatives, the public, and government reform advocates. It has always met with fierce opposition from state and municipal police unions.
The Senate version requires the Executive Office of Transportation and the Executive Office of Public Safety to promulgate regulations on police details and give cities and towns the option of using civilian flag men. I know there are circumstances where police officers at road projects are necessary and appropriate. I’m also sure there are times when flag men are appropriate and more cost effective. The debate will continue, as it should.
Attention parents of young children: the Legislature also passed a bill changing the state child booster seat law. The bill requires children less than eight years old or smaller than fifty-seven inches tall to be in booster seats while in a motor vehicle. The law currently only requires children under 40 pounds or up to five years old to use booster seats. It goes before the Governor now for his signature.
Speaking of signatures, I signed my name to a letter written by Representative Jeffrey Perry from Cape Cod in opposition to a crazy scheme by convicted murderer Robert Kosilek to get the state to pay for a sex change operation for him.
I wish it wasn’t necessary to even have to send a letter like this but this is Massachusetts, and the Commissioner, Harold Clarke, who was appointed by Governor Patrick, has said he intends to consider the murderer’s case. If I were the Commissioner this would be a no-brainer. I wouldn’t waste my time or the taxpayers very limited resources even considering such an absurd request.
Below is the text of our letter to Commissioner Clarke. “We, the undersigned legislators, are writing to express our outrage with the request by convicted murderer Robert Kosilek for a taxpayer funded sex-change operation while in the care and custody of the Department of Corrections (DOC). We strongly believe this request is far outside the scope of services that the DOC is required to provide and furthermore, not a legitimate role of government.
“With state budget writers saying our state faces a $1.3 billion dollar structural deficit, it is vitally important that we use our resources responsibly. This request by Mr. Kosilek is not a priority that we believe the commonwealth or the DOC should even consider.
With the potential for tax increases looming, we, as legislators and stewards of the public’s trust, cannot stand by and allow this measure to move forward without expressing our strong disapproval. The taxpayers demand responsible spending by their government and if approved, this is a prime example of a violation of that trust.
“While we respect the physical and psychological issues that Mr. Kosilek is facing, it would not be a prudent use of taxpayer funds to provide him with this elective operation. Doing so would set a bad precedent for future such requests which are likely to follow.”
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Representative Don Humason and his legislative aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366.
Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803.
Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us