Representative Don Humason



POLITICS 2010 July 11, 2009 By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. While it was a fairly quiet week, officially, in the House and Senate Chambers on Beacon Hill this week, politically things began to heat up for next years political race. The House of Representatives was in session for only a few hours on Wednesday to swear in a new member. Aaron Michlewitz was sworn in by Lt. Governor Tim Murray to take the North End of Boston seat formerly held by Representative Michlewitz’ former boss Salvatore DiMasi. Speaker DiMasi resigned his seat in January, just a few weeks after being re-elected Speaker by the Democrats of the House of Representatives. In June DiMasi was indicted by the Feds on corruption charges. Now that his replacement has been elected and sworn in the House is back to its full number of 160 legislators. As a reminder of the partisan split in the House, there are 16 Republicans and 144 Democrats that make up the total 160. Many have suggested, and I concur, that one reason for all the rampant taxation, spending, and corruption is the lack of a viable two party system in state government. Always a fan of the wisdom of clichés, I believe the Democrat super-majority can be likened to “the fox guarding the hen house.” We Republicans try to provide checks to the Democrat’s power but there aren’t enough of us. Have hope. It looks like its beginning to get interesting for November 2010. Christy Mihos has already announced his intention to run for governor, again, but this time as a Republican rather than an independent. Harvard Pilgrim insurance CEO Charlie Baker, a former Weld/Cellucci cabinet secretary, jumped into the fray this week saying he would be running against Deval Patrick as a Republican. And current Massachusetts Treasurer Tim Cahill, a Democrat, made the decision to switch parties and become unenrolled. He said he still considers himself a Democrat but felt that the state Democrat Party didn’t represent him any more with their emphasis on increasing taxes and spending the state’s reserve funds. In a comment that reminded me of the words of President Ronald Reagan, Cahill said, “I didn’t leave the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party left me.” Cahill is expected to announce he is running for Governor too. Former Lt. Governor Kerry Healey was quoted this week saying, “Taxation and corruption are two reasons while voters will likely vote for more Republicans over Democrats in 2010.” I hope so. It’s early, but Governor Patrick already has three challengers and more could decide to involve themselves in the politics of 2010. Patrick once enjoyed high favorability among the Bay State public, but after an unending series of missteps and miscalculations his popularity has fallen and his poll numbers are in the 20’s. Even my Democrat colleagues in the House and Senate regard him with contempt and disappointment. One of the reasons for his unpopularity is his outspoken support for an increase in the gasoline tax and his support of a 25% increase in the state sales tax, increased taxes on restaurants, beer, wine, liquor, satellite TV, and hotel rooms. To add insult to injury, the Governor and the Democrat leadership of the Legislature have said there will be no Sales Tax Holiday this summer as in years past. They claim the Commonwealth can not part with the roughly $18 million it would lose in sales tax revenue. I take a different view. August is typically the slowest month in the retail sector and this year sales have been particularly low and slow. So a sales tax free weekend would spur on the economy by giving consumers a chance to make purchases without having to pay the sales tax. But Beacon Hill leaders say it will not happen this year. So as a friendly reminder to my constituents and taxpayers let me reiterate that the sales tax will increase from 5% to 6.25% on August 1st. Make your big purchases now to save. Oh yeah, and eat at your favorite restaurant now because the meals tax will increase to 6.25% as of August 1st. And stock up on your favorite beer, wine, and liquor now before that tax goes up August 1 as well. Or, you can do as several people I know are doing and take that road trip to friendly, sales tax free New Hampshire. Cheaper booze, cheaper cigarettes, cheaper appliances, cheaper gasoline, cheaper flat screen TV’s, cheaper everything! In fact, New Hampshire politicians should be kissing our butts in the Mass Legislature to thank the Democrats for doing so much to help the New Hampshire economy. Too bad it’s at the expense of our own economy, jobs, and revenue here in Massachusetts. “Taxachusetts” is back! Election Day 2010 can’t get here fast enough. * * * 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
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POLITICS 2010

July 11, 2009

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

While it was a fairly quiet week, officially, in the House and Senate Chambers on Beacon Hill this week, politically things began to heat up for next years political race.

The House of Representatives was in session for only a few hours on Wednesday to swear in a new member. Aaron Michlewitz was sworn in by Lt. Governor Tim Murray to take the North End of Boston seat formerly held by Representative Michlewitz’ former boss Salvatore DiMasi.

Speaker DiMasi resigned his seat in January, just a few weeks after being re-elected Speaker by the Democrats of the House of Representatives. In June DiMasi was indicted by the Feds on corruption charges.

Now that his replacement has been elected and sworn in the House is back to its full number of 160 legislators. As a reminder of the partisan split in the House, there are 16 Republicans and 144 Democrats that make up the total 160. Many have suggested, and I concur, that one reason for all the rampant taxation, spending, and corruption is the lack of a viable two party system in state government.

Always a fan of the wisdom of clichés, I believe the Democrat super-majority can be likened to “the fox guarding the hen house.” We Republicans try to provide checks to the Democrat’s power but there aren’t enough of us.

Have hope. It looks like its beginning to get interesting for November 2010. Christy Mihos has already announced his intention to run for governor, again, but this time as a Republican rather than an independent.

Harvard Pilgrim insurance CEO Charlie Baker, a former Weld/Cellucci cabinet secretary, jumped into the fray this week saying he would be running against Deval Patrick as a Republican.

And current Massachusetts Treasurer Tim Cahill, a Democrat, made the decision to switch parties and become unenrolled. He said he still considers himself a Democrat but felt that the state Democrat Party didn’t represent him any more with their emphasis on increasing taxes and spending the state’s reserve funds. In a comment that reminded me of the words of President Ronald Reagan, Cahill said, “I didn’t leave the Democrat Party, the Democrat Party left me.” Cahill is expected to announce he is running for Governor too.

Former Lt. Governor Kerry Healey was quoted this week saying, “Taxation and corruption are two reasons while voters will likely vote for more Republicans over Democrats in 2010.” I hope so.

It’s early, but Governor Patrick already has three challengers and more could decide to involve themselves in the politics of 2010. Patrick once enjoyed high favorability among the Bay State public, but after an unending series of missteps and miscalculations his popularity has fallen and his poll numbers are in the 20’s. Even my Democrat colleagues in the House and Senate regard him with contempt and disappointment.

One of the reasons for his unpopularity is his outspoken support for an increase in the gasoline tax and his support of a 25% increase in the state sales tax, increased taxes on restaurants, beer, wine, liquor, satellite TV, and hotel rooms.

To add insult to injury, the Governor and the Democrat leadership of the Legislature have said there will be no Sales Tax Holiday this summer as in years past. They claim the Commonwealth can not part with the roughly $18 million it would lose in sales tax revenue.

I take a different view. August is typically the slowest month in the retail sector and this year sales have been particularly low and slow. So a sales tax free weekend would spur on the economy by giving consumers a chance to make purchases without having to pay the sales tax.

But Beacon Hill leaders say it will not happen this year. So as a friendly reminder to my constituents and taxpayers let me reiterate that the sales tax will increase from 5% to 6.25% on August 1st. Make your big purchases now to save. Oh yeah, and eat at your favorite restaurant now because the meals tax will increase to 6.25% as of August 1st. And stock up on your favorite beer, wine, and liquor now before that tax goes up August 1 as well.

Or, you can do as several people I know are doing and take that road trip to friendly, sales tax free New Hampshire. Cheaper booze, cheaper cigarettes, cheaper appliances, cheaper gasoline, cheaper flat screen TV’s, cheaper everything! In fact, New Hampshire politicians should be kissing our butts in the Mass Legislature to thank the Democrats for doing so much to help the New Hampshire economy.

Too bad it’s at the expense of our own economy, jobs, and revenue here in Massachusetts. “Taxachusetts” is back! Election Day 2010 can’t get here fast enough.

* * *

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