Representative Don Humason



LEGISLATIVE SERVICES Westfield Evening News column By Sarah Latour, Chief of Staff to Representative Donald Humason, Jr. January 23, 2010 This week I have been given the opportunity to write Representative Humason’s weekly column. It’s crazy how the time has flown since beginning as his Chief of Staff on January 20, 2007. In this time I have become aware of the issues and concerns that you, our constituents deal with on a day to day basis. This week’s column is aimed at providing you an opportunity to seek out your State Representative or Senator as they continue to represent your interests on Beacon Hill. There are various means by which State Officials can be reached. Some contact Representative Humason by phone, some by mail and email; some even contact him through social networking sites such as Facebook. Although phone calls and emails top the charts, people also visit our district office. The district office, located at 64 Noble Street, is a perk that not all Representatives and Senators provide to their constituents. Representative Humason understands the importance of having an office where his constituents can visit and meet with him about the concerns they might have, saving the folks from Westfield time and money, in that they don’t have to travel to the State House in Boston. In the past 3 years it has become apparent to me that some people don’t realize the types of services our office can provide. My brother, Zachary made that clear to me last month as we talked about the topic for this column. Zachary mentioned that when his contract ended with the U.S. Marines he started to have trouble with his unemployment claim. I suggested that he contact his State Representative; he replied with, “why on earth would I do that?” I explained to him that the offices of State Representatives and Senators have legislative contacts for just about every state agency. Therefore, it would be easier for his Representative to contact unemployment to find out what the problem is with his claim than it would be for him to call the claims center day after day. Long story short, his Representative found out that his application was missing a document; two weeks later he started to receive his unemployment checks. The outcome isn’t always this successful but it never hurts to try! With that said, I wanted to focus this column on the legislative services that the offices of State Representatives and Senators provide to their constituents. Here is a list & brief explanation of some of them: Health Insurance & Unemployment - If you are insured through MassHealth, Commonwealth Care, or Health Safety Net and run into a problem, most offices will have the ability to find out if there are any issues that might be holding up your case. They can also help to guide you though the application or appeal process. The same can be said about an unemployment application or claim. Recommendation Letters - If you are applying to college or for a job, most offices would be more than happy to write you a letter of recommendation. They will also help with seasonal employment applications through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Cover letters and resumes are required. Fast Lane - If you accidently drove through a Fast Lane booth and tried your best to remedy the situation and pay back the toll but still received a fine, most offices can look into your case and find out if there are other alternatives. They can also help you to sign up for a transponder. Health Insurance Claims - If you have a complaint against your independent health insurance company most offices can walk you through a complaint process which allows the Division of Insurance to work with the insurance company to try and settle the issue. Legislative Tracking & Bill Information - If there is a bill in the Massachusetts House or Senate that you feel strongly about or just want to get more information on, most offices will track it for you to let you know of any future movement. They can also let you know when it is expected to come up for a public hearing and in the event that it makes it to the House and Senate floor for a vote, they should be able to inform you of the outcome. In addition to these, most offices can provide you with fuel assistance and food stamp applications. These are only a few of the services that Representative Humason and other State Officials provide to their constituents. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have a problem that I did not list. It’s always worth a try and we are always willing to help! * * * 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

LEGISLATIVE SERVICES

Westfield Evening News column

By Sarah Latour, Chief of Staff to Representative Donald Humason, Jr.

January 23, 2010

This week I have been given the opportunity to write Representative Humason’s weekly column. It’s crazy how the time has flown since beginning as his Chief of Staff on January 20, 2007. In this time I have become aware of the issues and concerns that you, our constituents deal with on a day to day basis.

This week’s column is aimed at providing you an opportunity to seek out your State Representative or Senator as they continue to represent your interests on Beacon Hill. There are various means by which State Officials can be reached. Some contact Representative Humason by phone, some by mail and email; some even contact him through social networking sites such as Facebook. Although phone calls and emails top the charts, people also visit our district office.

The district office, located at 64 Noble Street, is a perk that not all Representatives and Senators provide to their constituents. Representative Humason understands the importance of having an office where his constituents can visit and meet with him about the concerns they might have, saving the folks from Westfield time and money, in that they don’t have to travel to the State House in Boston.

In the past 3 years it has become apparent to me that some people don’t realize the types of services our office can provide. My brother, Zachary made that clear to me last month as we talked about the topic for this column.

Zachary mentioned that when his contract ended with the U.S. Marines he started to have trouble with his unemployment claim. I suggested that he contact his State Representative; he replied with, “why on earth would I do that?” I explained to him that the offices of State Representatives and Senators have legislative contacts for just about every state agency. Therefore, it would be easier for his Representative to contact unemployment to find out what the problem is with his claim than it would be for him to call the claims center day after day.

Long story short, his Representative found out that his application was missing a document; two weeks later he started to receive his unemployment checks. The outcome isn’t always this successful but it never hurts to try! With that said, I wanted to focus this column on the legislative services that the offices of State Representatives and Senators provide to their constituents. Here is a list & brief explanation of some of them:

Health Insurance & Unemployment - If you are insured through MassHealth, Commonwealth Care, or Health Safety Net and run into a problem, most offices will have the ability to find out if there are any issues that might be holding up your case. They can also help to guide you though the application or appeal process. The same can be said about an unemployment application or claim.

Recommendation Letters - If you are applying to college or for a job, most offices would be more than happy to write you a letter of recommendation. They will also help with seasonal employment applications through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Cover letters and resumes are required.

Fast Lane - If you accidently drove through a Fast Lane booth and tried your best to remedy the situation and pay back the toll but still received a fine, most offices can look into your case and find out if there are other alternatives. They can also help you to sign up for a transponder.

Health Insurance Claims - If you have a complaint against your independent health insurance company most offices can walk you through a complaint process which allows the Division of Insurance to work with the insurance company to try and settle the issue.

Legislative Tracking & Bill Information - If there is a bill in the Massachusetts House or Senate that you feel strongly about or just want to get more information on, most offices will track it for you to let you know of any future movement. They can also let you know when it is expected to come up for a public hearing and in the event that it makes it to the House and Senate floor for a vote, they should be able to inform you of the outcome.

In addition to these, most offices can provide you with fuel assistance and food stamp applications. These are only a few of the services that Representative Humason and other State Officials provide to their constituents. Don’t hesitate to call us if you have a problem that I did not list. It’s always worth a try and we are always willing to help!

* * *

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