It’s Thursday night as I sit down to write my column this week. I took a break last week because I was out of work sick with the flu and didn’t have anything to write about. Yes, I’m certain the Penguin Plunge had nothing to do with it. And no, I’m not over it yet.
The weather forecasters are predicting a snowstorm of near-Blizzard of 1978 proportions. Already schools around the area have announced, in advance, their closures for Friday. Even the State House will be closed due to the snow storm.
What was once supposed to be a very hectic day on my schedule is now almost entirely clear. A Library legislative breakfast at the Athenaeum has been postponed. A legislative breakfast at the Holyoke Soldiers Home has been rescheduled. A Science Fair at Westfield High School has been moved to next week.
I like the old joke that goes like this: “I just came in from shoveling my driveway. It hasn’t started snowing yet but I wanted to get a head start.”
My Chief of Staff, Maura Cassin, and I will be holding public office hours next Monday, February 11, from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. at the Hampton Ponds Association building on North Road. This time is open for any of my constituents who wish to come and talk with us about state issues or concerns. All are welcome. Or if you would rather speak to me in private at my district office you may call 568-1366 and we can set up a mutually convenient time for you to meet with me.
I invite you to watch the February installment of my cable show From the State House to Your House. My guests this month are Representative Nick Boldyga (R-Southwick) and Senator Mike Knapik (R-Westfield). My colleagues and I discuss the state of the Commonwealth and talk about everything from the Governor’s tax proposals to the state budget.
The show airs Sundays at 4:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m., and Fridays at 2:30 p.m. on Channel 15, the Community Programming Channel.
The House of Representatives was in session on Wednesday for a lengthy debate on amendments to a supplemental budget. Afterwards, Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo made his appointment of the members of his Democrat caucus to the various standing House Committees and Joint House-Senate Committees.
Republican Leader Brad Jones did the same thing. I am very happy to report that the Minority Leader assigned me to be the Ranking Republican member on the Economic Development and Emerging Technologies Committee.
It shall be the duty of the committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies to consider all matters concerning commercial and industrial establishments, casino gambling and gaming, industrial development, the racing industry, science and technology, economic development, retention of science or technology-intensive industries; adoption of existing industries; innovation systems from research to development; computers; information, networking, the Internet, data storage and access; communication; biotechnology; stem cell research medical technology; medical devices; environmental technologies, classroom applications; workforce technology training and development, etc., and such other matters as may be referred.
That committee is chaired in the House by Representative Joe Wagner (D-Chicopee) and in the Senate by Senator Gale Candaras (D-Wilbraham). Representative Aaron Vega (D-Holyoke) and I are the other two members who are from Western Massachusetts.
Representative Jones also assigned me to continue as the senior member on the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, a committee I have been pleased to serve on for over three terms now.
It shall be the duty of the committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure to consider all matters concerning consumer credit, consumer protection, the issuance of licenses for the sale of alcoholic beverages, the registration of various trades or professions, and such other matters as may be referred.There are several of us from Western Mass on that committee including the new House Chairman John Scibak (D-Hadley), Representative Angelo Puppolo (D-Springfield), Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier (D-Pittsfield) and Senator Mike Knapik.
Happy Valentine’s Day to my wife and sweetheart, Janice, and to all of you.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of the Westfield News.
Representative Don Humason and his Legislative Aide Maura Cassin may be reached at their Westfield District Office, 64 Noble Street, Westfield, MA 01085, (413) 568-1366.
Representative Don Humason may be reached at his Boston office, State House Room 542,Boston, MA 02133, (617)722-2083.
Email address: [email protected]
www.DonHumason.org
