Representative Don Humason



GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS Westfield Evening News column By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. January 16, 2010 Veterans got some good news this week from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services which oversees the two Massachusetts Soldiers’ Homes. I received an email on Tuesday from Dave Martin at EOHHS, “Dear Legislators - We want to let you know that in light of improving state revenues and the compelling needs of our veterans, the Governor is pleased to be able to reverse the spending cut for outpatient services at the Holyoke and Chelsea Soldiers’ Homes. “The service and sacrifice of our veterans is never to be underestimated or undervalued, and the gradual recovery of our economy makes it possible for us to fix this problem now. “We look forward to working with the Soldiers’ Homes and veterans advocates to develop sustainable funding for the future. Feel free to call me with any questions.” This is welcome news and will be happily received by the hundreds of men and women who use the outpatient clinic at the two homes. As the Governor prepares his version of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2011, I am hopeful he will remember these individuals and their service to our country and our Commonwealth. Former Speaker of the House Tom Finneran got some bad news this week and that news spread through the halls of the State House like wildfire. According to an article in the State House News Service from January 11, “The state's highest court on Monday banned former House Speaker Thomas Finneran from practicing law, permanently revoking his license in connection with his 2007 felony conviction. “Finneran, whose license was suspended in 2007 when he pled guilty to obstruction of justice, had sought a lesser punishment of temporary suspension. But the court sided with the Board of Bar Overseers, which sought a harsher ruling and refuted claims that Finneran’s crime stemmed from a “moment of weakness.” “Justice Margot Botsford wrote that Finneran’s misconduct “implicates both the integrity of the judicial system and the honesty of a member of the bar.” “She added: “We have no reason to disagree with the finding that [Finneran's] conduct during the voting rights lawsuit represented an aberrant event in his long career of serving his constituency and the public with loyalty and distinction. But the respondent was convicted of a serious crime involving false testimony to a court under oath in a significant case about fundamental rights.” “The decision is retroactive to Jan. 23, 2007, when Finneran’s law license was temporarily suspended. The Board of Bar Overseers, which made the arguments for disbarment, declined to comment on the ruling.” Congratulations to Francis Lee Ascioti. Frank recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 32. This is a rare and highly honored achievement. The newest installment of my cable show, "From the State House to Your House," will feature Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik. The half hour program airs on Westfield's Community Programming Channel 15 on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM, Thursdays at 10:30 AM & 10:30 PM, and Sundays at 4:30 PM. Next Tuesday is the Special Election to fill the vacancy created when US Senator Ted Kennedy passed away. The polls in Westfield are open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Your choices are Democrat Attorney General Martha Coakley, Independent Joe Kennedy, and Republican state Senator Scott Brown. Please go out and vote. Thank you. * * * Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield Evening News. 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. Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org
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GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS

Westfield Evening News column

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

January 16, 2010

Veterans got some good news this week from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services which oversees the two Massachusetts Soldiers’ Homes.

I received an email on Tuesday from Dave Martin at EOHHS,

“Dear Legislators - We want to let you know that in light of improving state revenues and the compelling needs of our veterans, the Governor is pleased to be able to reverse the spending cut for outpatient services at the Holyoke and Chelsea Soldiers’ Homes.

“The service and sacrifice of our veterans is never to be underestimated or undervalued, and the gradual recovery of our economy makes it possible for us to fix this problem now.

“We look forward to working with the Soldiers’ Homes and veterans advocates to develop sustainable funding for the future. Feel free to call me with any questions.”

This is welcome news and will be happily received by the hundreds of men and women who use the outpatient clinic at the two homes. As the Governor prepares his version of the state budget for Fiscal Year 2011, I am hopeful he will remember these individuals and their service to our country and our Commonwealth.

Former Speaker of the House Tom Finneran got some bad news this week and that news spread through the halls of the State House like wildfire.

According to an article in the State House News Service from January 11,

“The state's highest court on Monday banned former House Speaker Thomas Finneran from practicing law, permanently revoking his license in connection with his 2007 felony conviction.

“Finneran, whose license was suspended in 2007 when he pled guilty to obstruction of justice, had sought a lesser punishment of temporary suspension. But the court sided with the Board of Bar Overseers, which sought a harsher ruling and refuted claims that Finneran’s crime stemmed from a “moment of weakness.”

“Justice Margot Botsford wrote that Finneran’s misconduct “implicates both the integrity of the judicial system and the honesty of a member of the bar.”

“She added: “We have no reason to disagree with the finding that [Finneran's] conduct during the voting rights lawsuit represented an aberrant event in his long career of serving his constituency and the public with loyalty and distinction. But the respondent was convicted of a serious crime involving false testimony to a court under oath in a significant case about fundamental rights.”

“The decision is retroactive to Jan. 23, 2007, when Finneran’s law license was temporarily suspended. The Board of Bar Overseers, which made the arguments for disbarment, declined to comment on the ruling.”

Congratulations to Francis Lee Ascioti. Frank recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 32. This is a rare and highly honored achievement.

The newest installment of my cable show, "From the State House to Your House," will feature Westfield Mayor Daniel Knapik. The half hour program airs on Westfield's Community Programming Channel 15 on Wednesdays at 8:30 PM, Thursdays at 10:30 AM & 10:30 PM, and Sundays at 4:30 PM.

Next Tuesday is the Special Election to fill the vacancy created when US Senator Ted Kennedy passed away. The polls in Westfield are open from 7 AM to 8 PM. Your choices are Democrat Attorney General Martha Coakley, Independent Joe Kennedy, and Republican state Senator Scott Brown. Please go out and vote. Thank you.

* * *

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield Evening News.

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. Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us Website: www.donhumason.org

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group