Representative Don Humason



THE WORK BEGINS By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. January 24, 2009 Four years ago I had the privilege of attending the second inauguration of President George W. Bush. It was a remarkable experience for me. I believe every American should try to visit our nation’s capitol at least once and the chance to go during an inauguration is even more outstanding. I wasn’t in Washington, D.C. this year for President Barack H. Obama’s inauguration, although seeing all the festivities on television brought back many of the fond memories. I know Governor Patrick and many of my fellow legislators attended. Like many of you, on Tuesday I spent much of the day watching the coverage of the swearing in ceremony, parade, and inaugural balls. All partisanship aside for the moment, it was easy to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance of an American Presidential inauguration. The history and traditions surrounding the peaceful transition of power from one American leader to the next are part of what makes this country great. Eventually, as we know, the confetti falls to the ground and has to be cleaned up, the balloons pop, and the noisemakers become quiet. It’s time for the work to begin. I wish President Obama and his administration best of luck. As an American, for the sake of our country, I pray for his success. It’s time for the work to begin in Boston as well. Last week’s debate and vote by the House and Senate to give the Governor expanded 9C cutting powers was disappointing as I wrote in my column. Governor Patrick has yet to come out with his list of mid-year cuts, although I saw something today that said he intends to hold harmless education monies to cities and towns. While I applaud this as good news for our schools, it has the effect of making any cuts to remaining municipal departments like police, fire, libraries, and public works even deeper. I hope he and his Secretary of Administration and Finance will go back over the state budget line item by line item and make as many cuts there as possible. I continue to believe that our state budget is too big and bloated, that it grew too quickly and is unsustainable, and that there are many items contained in the spending plan that nobody would consider government priorities especially during this time of recession. I point to the two state-owned golf courses in Eastern Mass, to the Governor’s expanded office in Washington, and to Governor Patrick’s paid-volunteer program (called the Commonwealth Corps) as three things that could be cut right off the top. There are, of course, many others. In times like these governments need to focus on core priorities: public safety, education, infrastructure, economic development, and aid to seniors, veterans, children, and the disabled. Everything else should take a back seat until the Commonwealth can get its fiscal legs back under itself. Speaking of infrastructure, I was appointed by Minority Leader Brad Jones to serve on the Special House Committee on Transportation. Speaker DiMasi created four special committees to address important matters pending before the Legislature. I currently serve on the Joint Committee on Transportation so it was a logical choice. We met this week and discussed issues like toll hikes on the Mass Pike, proposals to hike the gas tax, the possibility or reinstating tolls on exits 1-6, and much more. All of us agreed that we should focus on reform and restructuring first before any tax, fee, or toll hikes are considered. I asserted that state government has a credibility problem when it comes to wisely and appropriately spending tax payer dollars. Because of so many past abuses, government has a long way to go before the people will trust it to do the right thing. The work begins… * * * Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803. Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366. Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org
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THE WORK BEGINS

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

January 24, 2009

Four years ago I had the privilege of attending the second inauguration of President George W. Bush. It was a remarkable experience for me. I believe every American should try to visit our nation’s capitol at least once and the chance to go during an inauguration is even more outstanding.

I wasn’t in Washington, D.C. this year for President Barack H. Obama’s inauguration, although seeing all the festivities on television brought back many of the fond memories. I know Governor Patrick and many of my fellow legislators attended.

Like many of you, on Tuesday I spent much of the day watching the coverage of the swearing in ceremony, parade, and inaugural balls. All partisanship aside for the moment, it was easy to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance of an American Presidential inauguration. The history and traditions surrounding the peaceful transition of power from one American leader to the next are part of what makes this country great.

Eventually, as we know, the confetti falls to the ground and has to be cleaned up, the balloons pop, and the noisemakers become quiet. It’s time for the work to begin. I wish President Obama and his administration best of luck. As an American, for the sake of our country, I pray for his success.

It’s time for the work to begin in Boston as well. Last week’s debate and vote by the House and Senate to give the Governor expanded 9C cutting powers was disappointing as I wrote in my column. Governor Patrick has yet to come out with his list of mid-year cuts, although I saw something today that said he intends to hold harmless education monies to cities and towns.

While I applaud this as good news for our schools, it has the effect of making any cuts to remaining municipal departments like police, fire, libraries, and public works even deeper. I hope he and his Secretary of Administration and Finance will go back over the state budget line item by line item and make as many cuts there as possible.

I continue to believe that our state budget is too big and bloated, that it grew too quickly and is unsustainable, and that there are many items contained in the spending plan that nobody would consider government priorities especially during this time of recession. I point to the two state-owned golf courses in Eastern Mass, to the Governor’s expanded office in Washington, and to Governor Patrick’s paid-volunteer program (called the Commonwealth Corps) as three things that could be cut right off the top. There are, of course, many others.

In times like these governments need to focus on core priorities: public safety, education, infrastructure, economic development, and aid to seniors, veterans, children, and the disabled. Everything else should take a back seat until the Commonwealth can get its fiscal legs back under itself.

Speaking of infrastructure, I was appointed by Minority Leader Brad Jones to serve on the Special House Committee on Transportation. Speaker DiMasi created four special committees to address important matters pending before the Legislature. I currently serve on the Joint Committee on Transportation so it was a logical choice.

We met this week and discussed issues like toll hikes on the Mass Pike, proposals to hike the gas tax, the possibility or reinstating tolls on exits 1-6, and much more. All of us agreed that we should focus on reform and restructuring first before any tax, fee, or toll hikes are considered.

I asserted that state government has a credibility problem when it comes to wisely and appropriately spending tax payer dollars. Because of so many past abuses, government has a long way to go before the people will trust it to do the right thing. The work begins…

* * *

Representative Humason and his Legislative Aide Jonelle Gingrich may be reached at his State House office, Room 542. Boston, MA 02133. (617) 722-2803.
Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff Sarah Latour may be reached at his Westfield district office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085. (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason’s website is www.DonHumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group