Representative Don Humason



VOLUNTEERS 1 TAXPAYERS 0 By Representative Don Humason, Jr. October 27, 2007 I’m writing this column late on Thursday night. The Red Sox are ahead in the second game of the World Series against the Colorado Rockies. They look good. Red Sox Nation is tired, but hopeful. Outside the window it’s a bright full Hunter’s moon. It’s cold, like fall should be, but the fans at Fenway are keeping warm. Last week, when I wrote my column, the Sox were down having lost 3 straight games to the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS and I must confess: I doubted. I lacked the faith. I didn’t think they would rally to make it to the World Series. I also have to correct an error I made that many of you wrote or emailed me about. I had said “Thank God for the 5-0 New England Patriots!” But they were 6-0 when I was writing last week. Now, after beating the Miami Dolphins they are 7-0. On Sunday New England takes on the Washington Redskins. Go Pats. There’s been a lot said and written about how well New England sports teams are doing this year and how that helps us in Massachusetts, especially Boston, with our economy. Tourists are pouring into Boston. They come for the Sox, the Celtics, the Boston College Eagles, and the Patriots. They come from all over the world: England, Japan, Ireland. And they spend money, lots of it, on sporting paraphernalia, hotel rooms, transportation, drinks, and dinners. Having winning teams is good for the state’s treasury. One thing that’s not so good for the Commonwealth’s coffers is when we in state government propose new programs and new spending that goes against what most would call common sense. On Thursday the House of Representatives met in a full formal session. On the calendar were several items, but the most egregious matter that legislators took up was the Governor’s Commonwealth Corps bill. This was one of Deval Patrick’s first big proposals when he became Governor. I wrote about it back in a July column. You might remember, I called it “Paid to Volunteer.” The Commonwealth Corps legislation is intended to promote volunteerism in Massachusetts. While the goals of increasing volunteerism are laudable, I have to ask, is this legislation really necessary? Do we really need a government program to promote volunteerism? You and I know many people who are caring, concerned, and generous with their time. They give blood, they read to school kids, they visit shut ins, they help with river cleanups, they volunteer at animal shelters, they deliver meals on wheels. All these things they do willingly, because they like to help people. I have to ask, is this legislation really affordable? The bill has a $3 million price tag for the first year. Doesn’t it just add to the unsustainable cost of state government and the crushing weight of additional state bureaucracy? I think it does. As I wrote in my July column (check it out at www.donhumason.org), there’s a provision of the Governor’s proposal called SERV: State Employees Responding as Volunteers. It gives state employees up to 12 days off a year, one per month, to allow them to volunteer at approved charities. Except they aren’t really volunteering. They’re being paid. By you, the taxpayers. Chalk that score up: Volunteers 1, Taxpayers 0. Republicans in the House tried to pass an amendment striking that provision. I spoke on the floor in favor of the amendment and against the Governor’s paid volunteer plan. We got some members of the Majority Party to vote with us. But not enough. The amendment failed and the bill passed. So, the next time you wish you could take some time to volunteer in your child’s school or at your grandparent’s senior center or for your church or at the soup kitchen only you can’t because you don’t have time what with the two jobs you have to work to pay your property tax and state income tax and gas tax, etc. you can thank Governor Patrick and the Legislature that they created a program where your tax dollars will pay for volunteers and state employees to do it for you. Sorry for the run-on sentence. This lack of common sense in our state government just keeps getting me fired up. The sad reality is it’s you who should be getting fired up. You’re paying for it. You’re paying for volunteers. Only in Massachusetts. * * * Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us
This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group

VOLUNTEERS 1 TAXPAYERS 0

By Representative Don Humason, Jr.

October 27, 2007

I’m writing this column late on Thursday night. The Red Sox are ahead in the second game of the World Series against the Colorado Rockies. They look good. Red Sox Nation is tired, but hopeful. Outside the window it’s a bright full Hunter’s moon. It’s cold, like fall should be, but the fans at Fenway are keeping warm.

Last week, when I wrote my column, the Sox were down having lost 3 straight games to the Cleveland Indians in the ALCS and I must confess: I doubted. I lacked the faith. I didn’t think they would rally to make it to the World Series.

I also have to correct an error I made that many of you wrote or emailed me about. I had said “Thank God for the 5-0 New England Patriots!” But they were 6-0 when I was writing last week. Now, after beating the Miami Dolphins they are 7-0. On Sunday New England takes on the Washington Redskins. Go Pats.

There’s been a lot said and written about how well New England sports teams are doing this year and how that helps us in Massachusetts, especially Boston, with our economy.

Tourists are pouring into Boston. They come for the Sox, the Celtics, the Boston College Eagles, and the Patriots. They come from all over the world: England, Japan, Ireland. And they spend money, lots of it, on sporting paraphernalia, hotel rooms, transportation, drinks, and dinners. Having winning teams is good for the state’s treasury.

One thing that’s not so good for the Commonwealth’s coffers is when we in state government propose new programs and new spending that goes against what most would call common sense.

On Thursday the House of Representatives met in a full formal session. On the calendar were several items, but the most egregious matter that legislators took up was the Governor’s Commonwealth Corps bill. This was one of Deval Patrick’s first big proposals when he became Governor. I wrote about it back in a July column. You might remember, I called it “Paid to Volunteer.”

The Commonwealth Corps legislation is intended to promote volunteerism in Massachusetts. While the goals of increasing volunteerism are laudable, I have to ask, is this legislation really necessary? Do we really need a government program to promote volunteerism?

You and I know many people who are caring, concerned, and generous with their time. They give blood, they read to school kids, they visit shut ins, they help with river cleanups, they volunteer at animal shelters, they deliver meals on wheels. All these things they do willingly, because they like to help people.

I have to ask, is this legislation really affordable? The bill has a $3 million price tag for the first year. Doesn’t it just add to the unsustainable cost of state government and the crushing weight of additional state bureaucracy? I think it does.

As I wrote in my July column (check it out at www.donhumason.org), there’s a provision of the Governor’s proposal called SERV: State Employees Responding as Volunteers. It gives state employees up to 12 days off a year, one per month, to allow them to volunteer at approved charities. Except they aren’t really volunteering. They’re being paid. By you, the taxpayers. Chalk that score up: Volunteers 1, Taxpayers 0.

Republicans in the House tried to pass an amendment striking that provision. I spoke on the floor in favor of the amendment and against the Governor’s paid volunteer plan. We got some members of the Majority Party to vote with us. But not enough. The amendment failed and the bill passed.

So, the next time you wish you could take some time to volunteer in your child’s school or at your grandparent’s senior center or for your church or at the soup kitchen only you can’t because you don’t have time what with the two jobs you have to work to pay your property tax and state income tax and gas tax, etc. you can thank Governor Patrick and the Legislature that they created a program where your tax dollars will pay for volunteers and state employees to do it for you.

Sorry for the run-on sentence. This lack of common sense in our state government just keeps getting me fired up. The sad reality is it’s you who should be getting fired up. You’re paying for it. You’re paying for volunteers. Only in Massachusetts.

* * *

Representative Don Humason and his new aide Sarah Latour may be reached at their Westfield District office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, 568-1366. Their Boston address is State House Room 542, Boston, MA 02133, (617) 722-2803. Email address: Rep.DonaldHumason@Hou.state.ma.us

This Site Designed and Maintained by: The Barre Group