Representative Don Humason



NEW SPEAKER By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. January 31, 2009 In my column last week I wrote that “the work begins…” in Washington and in Boston. Yet nothing brings that work screeching to a halt like a vacancy in the position of Speaker of the House. As you may have seen, Speaker Salvatore DiMasi of Boston resigned on Tuesday at 5PM. Rumors about Sal DiMasi have been circulating around the halls of Beacon Hill for months. Two of his top lieutenants, Representatives Robert DeLeo of Winthrop and John Rogers of Norwood, have been vying both publicly and behind the scenes for over a year to replace DiMasi, despite the former Speaker’s assertion last year that he would be Speaker for “a long, long, long…time” I knew something was about to happen when I began receiving calls last Friday from my Democrat House colleagues to let me know that they were supporting one candidate or the other to replace the Speaker when he resigned this week. With Speaker DiMasi’s resignation, it is official. The three most recent House Speakers, all Democrats, have vacated their office either under indictment or under a cloud of scandal: Charlie Flaherty, Tom Finneran, and now Sal DiMasi. It makes me look like I have a crystal ball. Just a few short weeks ago, on January 7 when House members were sworn in and Speaker DiMasi was re-elected by 135 House members, I and about 14 others voted “present” rather than cast our votes for the embattled DiMasi. This time around, I joined my fellow House Republicans in voting for House Minority Leader Bradley Jones of North Reading for Speaker. It’s largely symbolic, of course. With only 16 Republicans out of 160 House members, our votes fo r Speaker don’t matter much. As a Republican, I take no pleasure in seeing yet another Democrat leader fall to corruption and scandal. I believe it hurts all of us as legislators and damages the credibility of the institution of House of Representative. I don’t mean to doubt the intelligence of the voters of Massachusetts or question their wisdom in electing an overwhelming Democratic majority to the Legislature but I am reminded of the quote that “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” With the House, Senate, and Governor’s office all solidly controlled by Democrats, those same voters need to understand that there are no checks and balances on the politics, policies, or power of the majority. One-party dominated governments don’t work well. Without a balance of power, corruption is bound to occur. Obviously, judging by our recent history with the Speaker’s office, it is occurring in Boston. I believe these ethical breaches discredit each of us as legislators and state government generally. It does a disservice to a fine institution with a long tradition and proud history. Bob DeLeo received the votes to become the next Speaker of the House. His promotion leaves the House Committee on Ways and Means without a Chairman for the time being. It delays the appointment of members to Leadership and to the committees. It delays the House rules debate. That’s the process, but it’s happening a t a bad time. The Governor finally released his list of additional 9C cuts and his House 1 budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2010 this week. All this instability delays the House from getting to work. That, in turn, slows down the Senate. My friend Jim suggested I remind everybody to check their licenses and automobile registrations to see when they expire. The Registry of Motor Vehicles announced due to budget cuts they will no longer send notices to people warning them of expiration. Check your inspection stickers too. Protect yourself from the bureaucracy. I’d like to say hello to the kids at Southampton Road School that I met last week when I donated a new American flag to their school. Greetings also go to the teachers and student at Highland School and Munger Hill School whom I met when I went in and spoke about state government. And lastly, a hello to the folks at the Forum House! Just a quick reminder that the 5th annual Penguin Plunge will take place on Saturday, February 7. This chilly fundraiser benefits the Amelia Park Children’s Museum. This year it takes place in a pool on the Westfield Green. This will be my 5th year plunging. I’m a veteran. So if you want to support me and the Children’s Museum pledges are welcome. I’ll see you on the 7th! * * * 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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NEW SPEAKER

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

January 31, 2009

In my column last week I wrote that “the work begins…” in Washington and in Boston. Yet nothing brings that work screeching to a halt like a vacancy in the position of Speaker of the House.

As you may have seen, Speaker Salvatore DiMasi of Boston resigned on Tuesday at 5PM. Rumors about Sal DiMasi have been circulating around the halls of Beacon Hill for months. Two of his top lieutenants, Representatives Robert DeLeo of Winthrop and John Rogers of Norwood, have been vying both publicly and behind the scenes for over a year to replace DiMasi, despite the former Speaker’s assertion last year that he would be Speaker for “a long, long, long…time”

I knew something was about to happen when I began receiving calls last Friday from my Democrat House colleagues to let me know that they were supporting one candidate or the other to replace the Speaker when he resigned this week.

With Speaker DiMasi’s resignation, it is official. The three most recent House Speakers, all Democrats, have vacated their office either under indictment or under a cloud of scandal: Charlie Flaherty, Tom Finneran, and now Sal DiMasi.

It makes me look like I have a crystal ball. Just a few short weeks ago, on January 7 when House members were sworn in and Speaker DiMasi was re-elected by 135 House members, I and about 14 others voted “present” rather than cast our votes for the embattled DiMasi.

This time around, I joined my fellow House Republicans in voting for House Minority Leader Bradley Jones of North Reading for Speaker. It’s largely symbolic, of course. With only 16 Republicans out of 160 House members, our votes fo r Speaker don’t matter much.

As a Republican, I take no pleasure in seeing yet another Democrat leader fall to corruption and scandal. I believe it hurts all of us as legislators and damages the credibility of the institution of House of Representative.

I don’t mean to doubt the intelligence of the voters of Massachusetts or question their wisdom in electing an overwhelming Democratic majority to the Legislature but I am reminded of the quote that “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

With the House, Senate, and Governor’s office all solidly controlled by Democrats, those same voters need to understand that there are no checks and balances on the politics, policies, or power of the majority. One-party dominated governments don’t work well.

Without a balance of power, corruption is bound to occur. Obviously, judging by our recent history with the Speaker’s office, it is occurring in Boston. I believe these ethical breaches discredit each of us as legislators and state government generally. It does a disservice to a fine institution with a long tradition and proud history.

Bob DeLeo received the votes to become the next Speaker of the House. His promotion leaves the House Committee on Ways and Means without a Chairman for the time being. It delays the appointment of members to Leadership and to the committees. It delays the House rules debate.

That’s the process, but it’s happening a t a bad time. The Governor finally released his list of additional 9C cuts and his House 1 budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2010 this week. All this instability delays the House from getting to work. That, in turn, slows down the Senate.

My friend Jim suggested I remind everybody to check their licenses and automobile registrations to see when they expire. The Registry of Motor Vehicles announced due to budget cuts they will no longer send notices to people warning them of expiration. Check your inspection stickers too. Protect yourself from the bureaucracy.

I’d like to say hello to the kids at Southampton Road School that I met last week when I donated a new American flag to their school. Greetings also go to the teachers and student at Highland School and Munger Hill School whom I met when I went in and spoke about state government. And lastly, a hello to the folks at the Forum House!

Just a quick reminder that the 5th annual Penguin Plunge will take place on Saturday, February 7. This chilly fundraiser benefits the Amelia Park Children’s Museum. This year it takes place in a pool on the Westfield Green. This will be my 5th year plunging. I’m a veteran. So if you want to support me and the Children’s Museum pledges are welcome. I’ll see you on the 7th!

* * *

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