Representative Don Humason



JUNIOR OPERATOR'S LICENSE By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. June 3, 2006 Westfield demonstrated once again what a fine, patriotic city it is with the excellent turnout in support and remembrance of our veterans on Memorial Day last Monday. I marched in the parade and in spite of the warm humid weather the crowd along the route and later at Parker Memorial Park seemed larger than ever. Thank you again to all our veterans and participating citizens. On Thursday, the House was supposed to debate legislation regulating driver education and junior operator's licenses (JOL). Because of the number of amendments, the Speaker postponed debate to Wednesday, June 14. The bill, House 4826, proposes to increase the driving age from 16 1/2 to 17 1/2 and expands driver education requirements. I am opposed to increasing the driving age, but support increased supervised driving time. Anne Collins, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in the Bay State, says, "The "Junior Operator License (JOL) Law" [Chapter 220 of the Acts of 1998] requires the state's youngest drivers to have more experience behind the wheel before a road test can be taken. The law is a "graduated license law" in that a new, young driver starts out with restrictions that are removed as the driver advances from the "learner's permit" phase through the "junior operator license" phase into a "full license." A JOL provides for restrictions for a period of time after the junior operator license is obtained and provides "enhanced penalties" for certain motor vehicle offenses committed by junior operators, such as speeding and racing and those involving alcohol or drugs. Operators over the age of 18 but under the age of 21 are also subject to special penalties if alcohol or drugs are involved. A driver ceases to be a junior operator when he or she turns age 18, although penalties will still apply for offenses committed while a junior operator." For information on the current JOL law, go to www.mass.gov/rmv/jol/21336_web.pdf Now that both branches of the Legislature have completed deliberations on their respective versions of our state budget, it is time for the Conference Committee to go to work. The Conference Committee consists of 6 legislators: 3 from the House and 3 from the Senate. There are to be 2 Democrats and 1 Republican member from each branch. They are charged with crafting a compromise of the 2 versions of the bill, which the full House and Senate will later vote on. The members of this small group have a great deal of power and influence, especially in the case of the budget Conference Committee. Westfield is fortunate that our own Senator Mike Knapik (R-Westfield) serves as the Republican Senate member. The other Senators are Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) and Steven Panagiotakos (D-Lowell). The House team consists of Representatives Bob DeLeo (D-Winthrop), Marie St. Fleur (D-Dorchester), and Vinny DeMacedo (R-Plymouth) Given the number of differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget, I'd say it will be a miracle if the Conference Committee can come to some agreement in enough time for us to complete the budget process by July 1. By law, Massachusetts is supposed to have a budget enacted and signed by the Governor by July 1, the start of our fiscal year. Remember, Governor Romney, by law, gets 10 days to review the budget passed by the Legislature. He has the right to veto or reduce any line items. The Westfield International Air show at Barnes Airport is Saturday June 24 and Sunday June 25 from 8 AM to 4 PM. Admission is FREE! There is a $5 fee for parking. It is hosted by the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. This Air Show features the spectacular Blue Angels. For more information, go to www.2006westfieldairshow.org/faq.php St. John's Lutheran Church on Broad Street and the American Red Cross are hosting the Westfield Community Blood Drive on Tuesday, June 13, from 9 to 3 PM. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVE LIFE. Walk-ins are welcome. Please come and donate blood if you are able. 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

JUNIOR OPERATOR'S LICENSE

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

June 3, 2006

Westfield demonstrated once again what a fine, patriotic city it is with the excellent turnout in support and remembrance of our veterans on Memorial Day last Monday. I marched in the parade and in spite of the warm humid weather the crowd along the route and later at Parker Memorial Park seemed larger than ever. Thank you again to all our veterans and participating citizens.

On Thursday, the House was supposed to debate legislation regulating driver education and junior operator's licenses (JOL). Because of the number of amendments, the Speaker postponed debate to Wednesday, June 14. The bill, House 4826, proposes to increase the driving age from 16 1/2 to 17 1/2 and expands driver education requirements. I am opposed to increasing the driving age, but support increased supervised driving time.

Anne Collins, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in the Bay State, says, "The "Junior Operator License (JOL) Law" [Chapter 220 of the Acts of 1998] requires the state's youngest drivers to have more experience behind the wheel before a road test can be taken. The law is a "graduated license law" in that a new, young driver starts out with restrictions that are removed as the driver advances from the "learner's permit" phase through the "junior operator license" phase into a "full license."

A JOL provides for restrictions for a period of time after the junior operator license is obtained and provides "enhanced penalties" for certain motor vehicle offenses committed by junior operators, such as speeding and racing and those involving alcohol or drugs. Operators over the age of 18 but under the age of 21 are also subject to special penalties if alcohol or drugs are involved. A driver ceases to be a junior operator when he or she turns age 18, although penalties will still apply for offenses committed while a junior operator."

For information on the current JOL law, go to www.mass.gov/rmv/jol/21336_web.pdf

Now that both branches of the Legislature have completed deliberations on their respective versions of our state budget, it is time for the Conference Committee to go to work.

The Conference Committee consists of 6 legislators: 3 from the House and 3 from the Senate. There are to be 2 Democrats and 1 Republican member from each branch. They are charged with crafting a compromise of the 2 versions of the bill, which the full House and Senate will later vote on.

The members of this small group have a great deal of power and influence, especially in the case of the budget Conference Committee. Westfield is fortunate that our own Senator Mike Knapik (R-Westfield) serves as the Republican Senate member. The other Senators are Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) and Steven Panagiotakos (D-Lowell). The House team consists of Representatives Bob DeLeo (D-Winthrop), Marie St. Fleur (D-Dorchester), and Vinny DeMacedo (R-Plymouth)

Given the number of differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget, I'd say it will be a miracle if the Conference Committee can come to some agreement in enough time for us to complete the budget process by July 1. By law, Massachusetts is supposed to have a budget enacted and signed by the Governor by July 1, the start of our fiscal year. Remember, Governor Romney, by law, gets 10 days to review the budget passed by the Legislature. He has the right to veto or reduce any line items.

The Westfield International Air show at Barnes Airport is Saturday June 24 and Sunday June 25 from 8 AM to 4 PM. Admission is FREE! There is a $5 fee for parking. It is hosted by the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard. This Air Show features the spectacular Blue Angels. For more information, go to www.2006westfieldairshow.org/faq.php

St. John's Lutheran Church on Broad Street and the American Red Cross are hosting the Westfield Community Blood Drive on Tuesday, June 13, from 9 to 3 PM. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVE LIFE. Walk-ins are welcome. Please come and donate blood if you are able.

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