Representative Don Humason



STAYING INFORMED December 5, 2009 By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. Now that the Legislature is in informal session, I don’t have to travel to Boston quite as often. This is good because I was a bit under the weather this week with a sore throat. Next Tuesday is primary election day for the special election to fill the United States Senate seat that was vacated when Senator Edward Kennedy died. Although I expect turnout to be woefully low, I am encouraging all Westfield voters to make sure they go to the polls next Tuesday to vote. Republicans will choose between Scott Brown and Jack E. Robinson. Democrats will pick from Martha Coakley, Michael Capuano, Stephen Pagliuca, and Alan Khazei. Unenrolled voters may pick either a Republican or a Democrat ballot, but then must fill out a form if they wish to stay registered as unenrolled. The two winners in this primary will go on to face each other in the special election on Tuesday, January 19. A big part of any legislator’s job is to stay informed and up to date on the activities, events, stories, and hot issues impacting the Commonwealth and his or her district. Even in this day and age of high tech, light speed technology, it can be a challenge to stay on top of all the things happening in Boston and at home. Like most of my colleagues in the House of Representatives and state Senate, I rely on my constituents to inform me about the things they think are important. I speak to hundreds of people a week and receive letters, phone calls, emails, Face Book messages, and other contacts. The people of my district help keep me informed. I rely heavily on the local newspapers that serve my district as well as the Boston papers. On any given day I try to read the Westfield Evening News, the Republican, the Reminder, the Boston Globe, and the Boston Herald. Sometimes I read these and other papers online if they have online sites. There is always a stack of newspapers on my desk and, truthfully, I always feel like I’m behind in my reading. At night I watch the television and cable news by flipping back and forth between ABC 40, CBS 3, NBC, Fox News, and CNN. At the State House, the House Republican Leader’s office sends members a daily press clippings email that contains stories from newspapers around the Bay State like the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, the Cape Cod Times, the Worcester Telegram, and, of course, the Globe and Herald. One of the best sources for me as a State Representative to stay on top of what is happening at the State House and across the Commonwealth is through a subscription to the State House News Service (SHNS). Reporters from the SHNS cover every House and Senate session as well as many of the committee hearings, press conferences, rallies, and meetings on Beacon Hill. Here is a sampling of headlines from recent diverse State House News Service stories: “November Revenues Up From Last Year, Beat Benchmark.” “Unenrolled Largest Bloc Heading Into Election.” “Administration Says It Has No Plans To Close Prisons.” “Initiative Petition Update.” “Conservative Blog Highlights ‘Dump Tisei’ Effort.” “UMASS Finance Panel Approves Law School Plan.” “T Ridership Up In October, Ending 10-Month Skid.” “Alcohol Tax Repeal Effort On Track.” “Sales Tax Rollback Supporters Say Signatures Are In Hand To Advance.” “Biomass Power Leaves Environmental Groups With Burning Questions.” Reminder: On Monday, December 7, at 10:30 AM American Legion Post 124 will conduct a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony to observe the 68th anniversary of the sneak attack by the Empire of Japan on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The ceremony is open to all and will be held at the corner of Little River Road and Route 20, by the National Guard Way Bridge. Another reminder: I am again sponsoring a FREE ice skating party for the families of Westfield as a way of saying “Thank You” for giving me the privilege of representing my city at the State House in Boston. The date is Saturday, December 19 at 7 PM at Amelia Park Ice Arena. I will provide free refreshments. Bring your skates and one non-perishable canned item that will be donated to the Westfield Food Pantry. Have a great week. *** Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

STAYING INFORMED
December 5, 2009

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

Now that the Legislature is in informal session, I don’t have to travel to Boston quite as often. This is good because I was a bit under the weather this week with a sore throat.

Next Tuesday is primary election day for the special election to fill the United States Senate seat that was vacated when Senator Edward Kennedy died. Although I expect turnout to be woefully low, I am encouraging all Westfield voters to make sure they go to the polls next Tuesday to vote.

Republicans will choose between Scott Brown and Jack E. Robinson. Democrats will pick from Martha Coakley, Michael Capuano, Stephen Pagliuca, and Alan Khazei. Unenrolled voters may pick either a Republican or a Democrat ballot, but then must fill out a form if they wish to stay registered as unenrolled.

The two winners in this primary will go on to face each other in the special election on Tuesday, January 19.

A big part of any legislator’s job is to stay informed and up to date on the activities, events, stories, and hot issues impacting the Commonwealth and his or her district. Even in this day and age of high tech, light speed technology, it can be a challenge to stay on top of all the things happening in Boston and at home.

Like most of my colleagues in the House of Representatives and state Senate, I rely on my constituents to inform me about the things they think are important. I speak to hundreds of people a week and receive letters, phone calls, emails, Face Book messages, and other contacts. The people of my district help keep me informed.

I rely heavily on the local newspapers that serve my district as well as the Boston papers. On any given day I try to read the Westfield Evening News, the Republican, the Reminder, the Boston Globe, and the Boston Herald. Sometimes I read these and other papers online if they have online sites.

There is always a stack of newspapers on my desk and, truthfully, I always feel like I’m behind in my reading. At night I watch the television and cable news by flipping back and forth between ABC 40, CBS 3, NBC, Fox News, and CNN.

At the State House, the House Republican Leader’s office sends members a daily press clippings email that contains stories from newspapers around the Bay State like the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, the Cape Cod Times, the Worcester Telegram, and, of course, the Globe and Herald.

One of the best sources for me as a State Representative to stay on top of what is happening at the State House and across the Commonwealth is through a subscription to the State House News Service (SHNS). Reporters from the SHNS cover every House and Senate session as well as many of the committee hearings, press conferences, rallies, and meetings on Beacon Hill.

Here is a sampling of headlines from recent diverse State House News Service stories: “November Revenues Up From Last Year, Beat Benchmark.” “Unenrolled Largest Bloc Heading Into Election.” “Administration Says It Has No Plans To Close Prisons.” “Initiative Petition Update.” “Conservative Blog Highlights ‘Dump Tisei’ Effort.” “UMASS Finance Panel Approves Law School Plan.” “T Ridership Up In October, Ending 10-Month Skid.” “Alcohol Tax Repeal Effort On Track.” “Sales Tax Rollback Supporters Say Signatures Are In Hand To Advance.” “Biomass Power Leaves Environmental Groups With Burning Questions.”

Reminder: On Monday, December 7, at 10:30 AM American Legion Post 124 will conduct a Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony to observe the 68th anniversary of the sneak attack by the Empire of Japan on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The ceremony is open to all and will be held at the corner of Little River Road and Route 20, by the National Guard Way Bridge.

Another reminder: I am again sponsoring a FREE ice skating party for the families of Westfield as a way of saying “Thank You” for giving me the privilege of representing my city at the State House in Boston.

The date is Saturday, December 19 at 7 PM at Amelia Park Ice Arena. I will provide free refreshments. Bring your skates and one non-perishable canned item that will be donated to the Westfield Food Pantry.

Have a great week.

***

Representative Don Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group