Representative Don Humason



HOT TOPICS FOR FALL September 5, 2009 By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. September is here. Summer has come to an end, especially for all the students and employees who are back in school. Welcome back to all the students, teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, and administrators in the local public schools and at Westfield State College. No word yet from the Speaker of the House, but I assume the members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives will be called back into formal session next week after Labor Day. I haven’t heard from the Speaker about the House schedule but I know I have a couple legislative committee hearings next week including a Transportation Committee hearing. Next Wednesday the Election Laws committee will be holding a hearing on legislation concerning the succession to the United States Senate seat vacated when Senator Edward Kennedy passed away. As you may be aware, the Democrat super-majority of the House and Senate changed the law back in 2004 when it looked like John Kerry might be elected President. They didn’t want the Governor to be able to appoint a replacement to fill the vacant seat, which is what the law called for. The Governor at that time was Mitt Romney, a Republican. So they made a new law that said the Governor couldn’t name a replacement. Instead, they said, a special election should be held to fill the vacancy. Republicans at the time, myself included, spoke on the House floor and cautioned the members of the Majority that it would be foolish to tinker with the law. We said the Governor would not always be a Republican and then what would happen? Would the Democrats want to change the law again? Little did we know but that is exactly what happened. Before he died, Senator Kennedy sent a letter to Governor Patrick and legislative leaders asking them to change the law back to the way it was in 2004. Once again I would warn my friends across the aisle they risk incurring t he wrath of the public who is growing ever more cynical by their power plays and disregard for the voters and the law. In my next column I plan to do a survey of my constituents on hot topics like this one and other issues that are likely to come up on Beacon Hill this fall. Another issue that’s on the mind of state policy makers is that of the recently-passed increase in the state sales, meals, hotel, and liquor taxes. If you followed the news this week you may have heard the story of a House colleague of mine who was photographed purchasing tax-free liquor at a New Hampshire state liquor store. What makes this a juicy story for the Boston earlier this summer voted in favor of the sales tax hike and additional tax on alcohol sales. media is that Representative Michael Rodrigues a Democrat from Westport, Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour summed up the hypocrisy by saying, "Taxes are not just for other people to pay. This is the height of arrogance by a Beacon Hill Democrat. Representative Rodrigues should support those small businesses he imposed a tax upon." I’ll be asking you in my survey column what the impact of the sales tax hike has been on you and whether you have gone to New Hampshire or the internet to make sales-tax-free purchases. See you next 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
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HOT TOPICS FOR FALL

September 5, 2009

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

September is here. Summer has come to an end, especially for all the students and employees who are back in school.

Welcome back to all the students, teachers, staff, nurses, custodians, and administrators in the local public schools and at Westfield State College.

No word yet from the Speaker of the House, but I assume the members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives will be called back into formal session next week after Labor Day. I haven’t heard from the Speaker about the House schedule but I know I have a couple legislative committee hearings next week including a Transportation Committee hearing.

Next Wednesday the Election Laws committee will be holding a hearing on legislation concerning the succession to the United States Senate seat vacated when Senator Edward Kennedy passed away.

As you may be aware, the Democrat super-majority of the House and Senate changed the law back in 2004 when it looked like John Kerry might be elected President. They didn’t want the Governor to be able to appoint a replacement to fill the vacant seat, which is what the law called for. The Governor at that time was Mitt Romney, a Republican.

So they made a new law that said the Governor couldn’t name a replacement. Instead, they said, a special election should be held to fill the vacancy. Republicans at the time, myself included, spoke on the House floor and cautioned the members of the Majority that it would be foolish to tinker with the law. We said the Governor would not always be a Republican and then what would happen? Would the Democrats want to change the law again? Little did we know but that is exactly what happened.

Before he died, Senator Kennedy sent a letter to Governor Patrick and legislative leaders asking them to change the law back to the way it was in 2004. Once again I would warn my friends across the aisle they risk incurring t he wrath of the public who is growing ever more cynical by their power plays and disregard for the voters and the law.

In my next column I plan to do a survey of my constituents on hot topics like this one and other issues that are likely to come up on Beacon Hill this fall.

Another issue that’s on the mind of state policy makers is that of the recently-passed increase in the state sales, meals, hotel, and liquor taxes. If you followed the news this week you may have heard the story of a House colleague of mine who was photographed purchasing tax-free liquor at a New Hampshire state liquor store.

What makes this a juicy story for the Boston earlier this summer voted in favor of the sales tax hike and additional tax on alcohol sales. media is that Representative Michael Rodrigues a Democrat from Westport,

Massachusetts Republican Party Chairman Jennifer Nassour summed up the hypocrisy by saying, "Taxes are not just for other people to pay. This is the height of arrogance by a Beacon Hill Democrat. Representative Rodrigues should support those small businesses he imposed a tax upon."

I’ll be asking you in my survey column what the impact of the sales tax hike has been on you and whether you have gone to New Hampshire or the internet to make sales-tax-free purchases. See you next 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