Representative Don Humason



HOT ENOUGH FOR YOU? By State Representative Don Humason, Jr. August 5, 2006 It's not the heat; it's the humidity! This was a week of record heat and some very uncomfortable days and nights. Westfield seemed to make it through pretty well. Noble Hospital and the Council on Aging offered "cooling centers" to anyone who needed a place to escape the weather. It was a week that almost made me glad to be at the State House because it's air-conditioned. My district office at 64 Noble Street in Westfield is not. The Legislature has now adjourned its formals sessions for the rest of this year, as of midnight, Monday, July 31. It was a long couple of weeks with a lot of late nights but we finally finished all the state business we could before the clock ran out. Already critics of the Legislature, in some cases myself included, have derided the Leadership of both branches for failing to take up a number of things that were both important and necessary before the deadline. Governor Romney spoke out against Speaker Sal DiMasi for failing to pass a bond bill necessary to keep certain programs running and personnel paid. The House and Senate couldn't negotiate a compromise between two separate versions of the capital-spending bill. To his credit, the Speaker seems determined to abide by the joint rules that prohibit the branches from meeting beyond the deadline or from coming back into session later in the year. The 10-year-old rule exists to keep lame duck legislators from making unwise spending and policy decisions so close to their election. Besides, we've had 18 months in this session to act on the nearly 6000 bills filed. If the Speaker and Senate President didn't bring it up, they had a reason, good or bad. I was unhappy that we couldn't pass an Identity Theft prevention bill and take up auto insurance reform legislation. The Junior Operators License bill we debated failed to pass because it could not be conferenced between the two branches. And a bill for Patient Safety at Hospitals didn't see action in the Senate so it didn't make it to the Governor's desk. There was also a bill that gained much attention due to fears of an imminent flu pandemic but it never made it to the floors of both houses for debate and passage. It is my belief that every one of these bills will be re-filed by the December deadline for the 2007-2008 session. Happily, in the waning hours of the last night of session, I was able to prevail on House Leadership to bring up a veto of a line item containing $150,000 for Kamp for Kids/Abilities Unlimited in Westfield. It passed in the House and Senator Knapik got it passed in the Senate. The funding will go to Abilities Unlimited to complete their capital campaign that built a new location for Kamp for Kids and Camp Togowauk. Back in town on Tuesday, I attended the Night Out Against Crime event on the green. In spite of the brutal weather there were many citizens out to watch and learn from local police, State Police, fire officials, members of the military, staff from Westfield State College, the Council on Aging and more. I missed their grand opening but still had a chance to try the new K's Restaurant on Main Street across from the Westfield shops. If you like Sushi this is going to become your favorite eating spot. Great Chinese and Japanese food in a simple, elegant setting. It was clean, comfortable, affordable, and delicious! It reminds me of the places up in Northampton and Amherst. In case you haven't seen it in the news yet, the Mass National Guard will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, August 15, from 6 to 9 PM at North Middle School. The topic will be the conversion from A-10 aircraft to F-15 aircraft at the 104th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard base at Barnes airport. Members of the community are invited to come and learn more about the conversion, meet National Guard personnel, and provide their input into the process. The conversion is a result of the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) legislation passed last year. Barnes and our ANG base will become the "point of the spear" of the United States Air Force with an air superiority alert mission of the F-15's. The mission of homeland security and the defense of the air space of the Northeastern portion of the U.S. now rest on the shoulders of the very capable F-15 pilots and support crew. Although there is bound to be some period of adjustment as Westfield grows used to the new fighters, this conversion is important for our ANG base and the future of Barnes airport. The economic contribution to the region will be significant, not to mention our bragging rights! I fully support this conversion and look forward to welcoming the new planes and personnel to Westfield. Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2460. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us
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HOT ENOUGH FOR YOU?

By State Representative Don Humason, Jr.

August 5, 2006

It's not the heat; it's the humidity!

This was a week of record heat and some very uncomfortable days and nights. Westfield seemed to make it through pretty well. Noble Hospital and the Council on Aging offered "cooling centers" to anyone who needed a place to escape the weather. It was a week that almost made me glad to be at the State House because it's air-conditioned. My district office at 64 Noble Street in Westfield is not.

The Legislature has now adjourned its formals sessions for the rest of this year, as of midnight, Monday, July 31. It was a long couple of weeks with a lot of late nights but we finally finished all the state business we could before the clock ran out.

Already critics of the Legislature, in some cases myself included, have derided the Leadership of both branches for failing to take up a number of things that were both important and necessary before the deadline. Governor Romney spoke out against Speaker Sal DiMasi for failing to pass a bond bill necessary to keep certain programs running and personnel paid. The House and Senate couldn't negotiate a compromise between two separate versions of the capital-spending bill.

To his credit, the Speaker seems determined to abide by the joint rules that prohibit the branches from meeting beyond the deadline or from coming back into session later in the year. The 10-year-old rule exists to keep lame duck legislators from making unwise spending and policy decisions so close to their election. Besides, we've had 18 months in this session to act on the nearly 6000 bills filed. If the Speaker and Senate President didn't bring it up, they had a reason, good or bad.

I was unhappy that we couldn't pass an Identity Theft prevention bill and take up auto insurance reform legislation. The Junior Operators License bill we debated failed to pass because it could not be conferenced between the two branches. And a bill for Patient Safety at Hospitals didn't see action in the Senate so it didn't make it to the Governor's desk.

There was also a bill that gained much attention due to fears of an imminent flu pandemic but it never made it to the floors of both houses for debate and passage. It is my belief that every one of these bills will be re-filed by the December deadline for the 2007-2008 session.

Happily, in the waning hours of the last night of session, I was able to prevail on House Leadership to bring up a veto of a line item containing $150,000 for Kamp for Kids/Abilities Unlimited in Westfield. It passed in the House and Senator Knapik got it passed in the Senate. The funding will go to Abilities Unlimited to complete their capital campaign that built a new location for Kamp for Kids and Camp Togowauk.

Back in town on Tuesday, I attended the Night Out Against Crime event on the green. In spite of the brutal weather there were many citizens out to watch and learn from local police, State Police, fire officials, members of the military, staff from Westfield State College, the Council on Aging and more.

I missed their grand opening but still had a chance to try the new K's Restaurant on Main Street across from the Westfield shops. If you like Sushi this is going to become your favorite eating spot. Great Chinese and Japanese food in a simple, elegant setting. It was clean, comfortable, affordable, and delicious! It reminds me of the places up in Northampton and Amherst.

In case you haven't seen it in the news yet, the Mass National Guard will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, August 15, from 6 to 9 PM at North Middle School. The topic will be the conversion from A-10 aircraft to F-15 aircraft at the 104th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard base at Barnes airport.

Members of the community are invited to come and learn more about the conversion, meet National Guard personnel, and provide their input into the process. The conversion is a result of the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) legislation passed last year.

Barnes and our ANG base will become the "point of the spear" of the United States Air Force with an air superiority alert mission of the F-15's. The mission of homeland security and the defense of the air space of the Northeastern portion of the U.S. now rest on the shoulders of the very capable F-15 pilots and support crew.

Although there is bound to be some period of adjustment as Westfield grows used to the new fighters, this conversion is important for our ANG base and the future of Barnes airport. The economic contribution to the region will be significant, not to mention our bragging rights! I fully support this conversion and look forward to welcoming the new planes and personnel to Westfield.

Representative Don Humason and his aide Joe Wynn may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366.

Their Boston address is State House Room 443, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2460.

Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us