Representative Don Humason



CHALLENGING NEW YEAR By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. January 3, 2009 Happy New Year! I truly hope it will be a happy new year for all of us. But I also recognize it will most likely be a very challenging new year. 2008, especially the second half, will go down in history as the start of a long period of economic and fiscal unrest globally, nationally, and locally. My belief is that governments can do little to create jobs, wealth, and fiscal opportunity; that’s the purview of the private sector and entrepreneurs willing to take risks and either win or lose big. But I fear that governments, both state and federal, can make matters worse and delay recovery by stifling initiative and growth. Specifically I worry that governments, which traditionally are insatiable in their appetites to obtain and spend money, will ignore the economic realities that average citizens and taxpayers are contending with and instead of cutting back and reforming government will attempt to maintain the current bloated levels of spending and programs. To do this government will borrow money, raid reserve accounts, and increase a host of taxes and fees. Those increases fall on the backs of overburdened taxpayers already struggling to pay their bills. These individuals, and I’m guessing many of you reading this column fall into this category, have to pick their priorities, balance their household budgets around the kitchen table, pay their bills, and live within their means. Why we in government don’t do the same thing is beyond me. I predict 2009 will be one of the most challenging years I’ve ever seen in my seven years as Westfield’s State Representative. Being in the minority in the House will be extremely frustrating. I often find myself disagreeing with the Governor and Legislative Leadership when it comes to the economy and our budget. But I intend to speak loudly and clearly this session: Our economy should be the biggest priority and we need to address it without making it worse. Like a physician I subscribe to the creed, “First, do no harm.” The next session of the Great and General Court begins Wednesday, January 7, with the House and Senate members being sworn in at 11 AM. Next we take the vote for Speaker of the House and Senate President. After that we adopt an order to continue operating under the rules that govern the current legislature until we engage in a rules debate for the new session. The Speaker and Minority Leader will soon make appointments to the many Legislative Committees. I currently serve on the Committees on Public Health, Consumer Protection, Higher Education, and Transportation. I intend to ask my leader to reappoint me to these committees. Additionally, I may be assigned an additional committee assignment. Due to the small number of Republicans in the House each one of the 16 of us (out of 160 House members) has to share the load and cover all of the committees. Not an easy task! I think I’m up for the challenge and look forward to being part of the solution for our state and our current economic crisis. If you have ideas or suggestions I’d be glad to hear them. Or if you have questions about a state issue or need help with a state agency I will hold public office hours in the lobby of the Westfield State College administration building, located at 333 Western Avenue (the former Stanhome building) on Monday, January 5, from 6 – 7:30 PM. Office hours at different locations around the city are a great chance for me to listen to the concerns of those I represent. I understand that it can be difficult for people who work to make it to my office during the week so I am holding “After Hours” office hours as a convenience for my constituents. I encourage folks to please stop by. * * * 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

CHALLENGING NEW YEAR

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

January 3, 2009

Happy New Year! I truly hope it will be a happy new year for all of us. But I also recognize it will most likely be a very challenging new year.

2008, especially the second half, will go down in history as the start of a long period of economic and fiscal unrest globally, nationally, and locally.

My belief is that governments can do little to create jobs, wealth, and fiscal opportunity; that’s the purview of the private sector and entrepreneurs willing to take risks and either win or lose big.

But I fear that governments, both state and federal, can make matters worse and delay recovery by stifling initiative and growth. Specifically I worry that governments, which traditionally are insatiable in their appetites to obtain and spend money, will ignore the economic realities that average citizens and taxpayers are contending with and instead of cutting back and reforming government will attempt to maintain the current bloated levels of spending and programs.

To do this government will borrow money, raid reserve accounts, and increase a host of taxes and fees. Those increases fall on the backs of overburdened taxpayers already struggling to pay their bills. These individuals, and I’m guessing many of you reading this column fall into this category, have to pick their priorities, balance their household budgets around the kitchen table, pay their bills, and live within their means. Why we in government don’t do the same thing is beyond me.

I predict 2009 will be one of the most challenging years I’ve ever seen in my seven years as Westfield’s State Representative. Being in the minority in the House will be extremely frustrating. I often find myself disagreeing with the Governor and Legislative Leadership when it comes to the economy and our budget. But I intend to speak loudly and clearly this session: Our economy should be the biggest priority and we need to address it without making it worse. Like a physician I subscribe to the creed, “First, do no harm.”
The next session of the Great and General Court begins Wednesday, January 7, with the House and Senate members being sworn in at 11 AM. Next we take the vote for Speaker of the House and Senate President. After that we adopt an order to continue operating under the rules that govern the current legislature until we engage in a rules debate for the new session.

The Speaker and Minority Leader will soon make appointments to the many Legislative Committees. I currently serve on the Committees on Public Health, Consumer Protection, Higher Education, and Transportation. I intend to ask my leader to reappoint me to these committees. Additionally, I may be assigned an additional committee assignment. Due to the small number of Republicans in the House each one of the 16 of us (out of 160 House members) has to share the load and cover all of the committees. Not an easy task!
I think I’m up for the challenge and look forward to being part of the solution for our state and our current economic crisis.

If you have ideas or suggestions I’d be glad to hear them. Or if you have questions about a state issue or need help with a state agency I will hold public office hours in the lobby of the Westfield State College administration building, located at 333 Western Avenue (the former Stanhome building) on Monday, January 5, from 6 – 7:30 PM.

Office hours at different locations around the city are a great chance for me to listen to the concerns of those I represent. I understand that it can be difficult for people who work to make it to my office during the week so I am holding “After Hours” office hours as a convenience for my constituents. I encourage folks to please stop by.

* * *

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