Representative Don Humason



SICK BUILDING SYNDROME? By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. May 6, 2006 I've been thinking a lot about what the Emergency Room doctor, Dr. Chan, said to me a week ago when I was a guest in her ER at Massachusetts General Hospital. She had asked me some questions about my flu/pneumonia symptoms and then asked me about my workspace environment. It's like she hit the nail on the head. I was in Boston for a whole week straight doing the House budget debate. My office, as some of you know, is a small space within a suite of offices. It's always been described as a very unhealthy space air-quality wise. It's always stiflingly hot due to a boarded-up skylight that makes up the office ceiling. It's full of dust and mold (because the skylight and boards leak every time it rains). There never seems to be any clean airflow. And it's always crowded with people. So, I think I got sick last week at work because of my office! I felt fine when I got there on Monday, aside from typical springtime allergies. And by Thursday, after four straight long days in the State House and in my office, I was in the MGH ER sick with pneumonia. Well, I'm feeling better now after laying low and quarantining myself from people. But when I go back to the State House next week I intend to ask Speaker DiMasi to test the air quality in Room 443. I think we may have a sick building. I want to thank my aide Joe Wynn, and my interns Valerie Dearing and Sarah Latour for covering for me this week when I was down sick. They are a great group of people and I couldn't get by without them. When I wrote my column last week the House had not yet finished debating the budget. We finished up at about 6 PM on Friday. Nearly 1600 amendments to the budget were dealt with in a handful of omnibus consolidated amendments. The bottom line grew by about $190 million, which brought the total of the House version of the FY '07 budget to $25.46 billion. The budget was voted on and passed unanimously. It goes next to the State Senate for their deliberation and vote. Westfield's local aid numbers grew considerably in the House budget I voted for. Without giving the complete rundown, our Chapter 70 education money increased to $31,758,390 in the House version. That's a $2.1 million increase over last year. Our unrestricted lottery aid, now fully uncapped, is $7,682,345, an increase over last year by $1.6 million. Obviously, I am pleased by the $3.7 million increase in Westfield's local aid over last year and want to share the good news. Obviously, the Senate hopes to do even better. I would like to congratulate Dan Call. He was honored at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Westfield River Watershed Association for his many contributions to the WRWA, the Westfield River, and many environmental causes in the greater Westfield area. Dan is a great guy full of energy and enthusiasm, especially when speaking about his many environmental projects. I have learned a great deal from him over the years. I am looking forward to seeing the Westfield High School production of "Les Miz" this weekend. 20 years ago, when I was a student at WHS, I was involved in the musical productions. But Les Miz is big time for any high school to perform. I can't wait to see how they do. Break a leg kids! Are you looking for a fun and unique community event to participate in? Abner Gibbs Elementary School is proud to present "Massachusetts' Largest Game of Musical Chairs!" On Sunday, May 21, at Stanley Park, you can join in for this big game of musical chairs to have fun and raise funds for Abner Gibbs School. The games start at 1 PM. Adult tickets are $10 each, kids twelve and under tickets cost only $5. For more information, call 572-6418. I'll see you there! Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA02133, (617) 722-2460. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us * * * Please feel free to forward this column to your family, friends, and associates. If you do not wish to receive an email copy of my Saturday Westfield Evening News column, please reply and let me know. I will then take you off the list. Sorry for any inconvenience.
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SICK BUILDING SYNDROME?

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

May 6, 2006

I've been thinking a lot about what the Emergency Room doctor, Dr. Chan, said to me a week ago when I was a guest in her ER at Massachusetts General Hospital. She had asked me some questions about my flu/pneumonia symptoms and then asked me about my workspace environment. It's like she hit the nail on the head.

I was in Boston for a whole week straight doing the House budget debate. My office, as some of you know, is a small space within a suite of offices. It's always been described as a very unhealthy space air-quality wise. It's always stiflingly hot due to a boarded-up skylight that makes up the office ceiling. It's full of dust and mold (because the skylight and boards leak every time it rains). There never seems to be any clean airflow. And it's always crowded with people.

So, I think I got sick last week at work because of my office! I felt fine when I got there on Monday, aside from typical springtime allergies. And by Thursday, after four straight long days in the State House and in my office, I was in the MGH ER sick with pneumonia.

Well, I'm feeling better now after laying low and quarantining myself from people. But when I go back to the State House next week I intend to ask Speaker DiMasi to test the air quality in Room 443. I think we may have a sick building.

I want to thank my aide Joe Wynn, and my interns Valerie Dearing and Sarah Latour for covering for me this week when I was down sick. They are a great group of people and I couldn't get by without them.

When I wrote my column last week the House had not yet finished debating the budget. We finished up at about 6 PM on Friday. Nearly 1600 amendments to the budget were dealt with in a handful of omnibus consolidated amendments.

The bottom line grew by about $190 million, which brought the total of the House version of the FY '07 budget to $25.46 billion. The budget was voted on and passed unanimously. It goes next to the State Senate for their deliberation and vote.

Westfield's local aid numbers grew considerably in the House budget I voted for. Without giving the complete rundown, our Chapter 70 education money increased to $31,758,390 in the House version. That's a $2.1 million increase over last year.
Our unrestricted lottery aid, now fully uncapped, is $7,682,345, an increase over last year by $1.6 million.

Obviously, I am pleased by the $3.7 million increase in Westfield's local aid over last year and want to share the good news. Obviously, the Senate hopes to do even better.

I would like to congratulate Dan Call. He was honored at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Westfield River Watershed Association for his many contributions to the WRWA, the Westfield River, and many environmental causes in the greater Westfield area. Dan is a great guy full of energy and enthusiasm, especially when speaking about his many environmental projects. I have learned a great deal from him over the years.

I am looking forward to seeing the Westfield High School production of "Les Miz" this weekend. 20 years ago, when I was a student at WHS, I was involved in the musical productions. But Les Miz is big time for any high school to perform. I can't wait to see how they do. Break a leg kids!

Are you looking for a fun and unique community event to participate in? Abner Gibbs Elementary School is proud to present "Massachusetts' Largest Game of Musical Chairs!" On Sunday, May 21, at Stanley Park, you can join in for this big game of musical chairs to have fun and raise funds for Abner Gibbs School. The games start at 1 PM. Adult tickets are $10 each, kids twelve and under tickets cost only $5. For more information, call 572-6418. I'll see you there!

Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA01085, 568-1366.

Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA02133, (617) 722-2460. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us

* * * Please feel free to forward this column to your family, friends, and associates. If you do not wish to receive an email copy of my Saturday Westfield Evening News column, please reply and let me know. I will then take you off the list. Sorry for any inconvenience.

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group