I’d like to start this week by extending my congratulations to Jonathan Huntley, Brian Mitchell, and Zachary Zak. These three young men recently achieved a very rare and special distinction: All three attained the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.
At their Court of Honor last Sunday at Blessed Sacrament Church it was noted that fewer than 4% of all boy scouts ever reach the high pinnacle of Eagle Scout. Congratulations to the boys, their families, and their scout leaders. By the way, Westfield has around 190 youth in Boy Scouting.
Well, sequestration has hit Westfield. Because the President and Congress could not agree on a way to balance our national budget and reduce our debt and deficit, the bitter pill of sequestration (painful and broad cuts to the military and select areas of the federal government) has been swallowed. We are being told that the FAA has included Barnes Regional Airport on a list of air traffic control towers that will soon be closed to save money.
City officials are trying to make a logical, common sense argument to the powers that be about the need to maintain the tower for the important role it plays in keeping the F-15s flying for the national defense of the United States, not to mention the economic impact its closure would have on businesses around the airport. Sadly, Washington doesn’t seem to be big on logic and common sense nowadays.
I’d like to tell you things are better in Boston but the governor is still pushing for a $1.9 billion tax increase in his budget proposal for FY 2014. Even the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Bob DeLeo (D-Winthrop), said that he was worried about the burden the governor’s proposal puts on the working families and struggling businesses of the Commonwealth.
Still, Governor Patrick persists. I was at an event Monday evening in Dorchester with a large group of firefighters and the governor spoke urging them to call upon their legislators to have the courage to “invest” in the future through raising taxes for transportation and education.
My friend and fellow Republican legislator, State Representative Angelo D’Emilia (R-Bridgewater) got so fed up that he penned the following column about the use of the word “investment.” Angelo and I share offices at the State House. He gave me his permission to use his statement in this column. I agree with him. What do you think?
“During the most recent Ways & Means hearings, my colleagues and I heard testimony regarding the Commonwealth’s health and human services. After listening to several agencies falling under our Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) testify, a message of an improved quality of health and life for Massachusetts’ most vulnerable residents was apparent.
“EOHHS Secretary John Polanowicz discussed the Governor’s $119.7 million increase in FY14 for EOHHS. While there are many adults, children, disabled persons and those with developmental disabilities that are in much need of these important and necessary services, those services are becoming more difficult to provide. With that being said, I feel that we need to do a better job of managing the resources that we do have. We must realize that not only are these populations struggling, but many families are on the brink of not being able to afford to keep a roof over their heads or food on their family’s table. We have the ability to provide for these populations if we manage our resources properly.
“For example, an area of concern which was discussed at the two most recent hearings was the crisis and subsequent fallout from the drug tampering scandal at the Hinton Crime Lab. This never should have happened in the first place and our agencies are going to need to work to restore the public’s confidence in our system. I think this could be achieved by more transparency and better oversight.
“Another area which was discussed on a recurring basis was the fungal meningitis outbreak from the New England Compounding Center in Framingham. Our Governor has proposed a $548.9 million budget for the Department of Public Health, which is a $32 million increase from FY13. Unfortunately, at the end of the day it is the hard working men and women of this state who are going to pay for this lack of oversight, another example of poor management.
“A common theme to date through all of the testimony has been the use of the word “investment.” I am finding that here in Massachusetts the definition of this word really means higher taxes. The Governor’s proposal for $1.9 billion in new taxes is outrageous when we continue to hear about waste, fraud and abuse occurring within certain state agencies. The Department of Transitional Assistance, and the state’s Electronic Benefits Transfer and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are all prime examples. Perhaps if we started by addressing these issues we could begin to discuss solutions for our fiscal needs.
“After listening to these agencies I am seeing areas where the state has a real opportunity for improvement and savings. For example, verifying that individuals who apply for the taxpayer funded assistance benefits are in fact who they say they are. Additionally, tightening up the residency requirements for DTA applicants and changing our EBT benefits to a cashless system is a must. These are just a few areas where we could improve before raising taxes.
“In this day and age the best thing we could do for the hard working men and women of the Commonwealth, the property owners, and the small business owners is to tax them less. Keep the dollars they earn in their pockets to spend as they see fit so that they may provide for their families. As that happens, the economy will expand and revenues will grow.
“I have, and will, continue to listen for some possible solution to our current economic crisis. Unfortunately, at this time, I have not heard one.”
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 Chief of Staff 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) 722-2803.
HUMASON TO HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE HOURS AT THE ATHENAEUM
Don Humason, Jr., Westfield’s State Representative, and his Chief of Staff, Maura Cassin, will hold public office hours at the Westfield Athenaeum between the hours of 4:30pm and 6pm on Monday, March 18th.
The Athenaeum is in downtown Westfield on the green and parking is located behind the building on Court Street.
All are welcome to come, visit, and share their thoughts or concerns on state matters with Representative Humason.
Representative Humason and his Chief of Staff, Maura Cassin, are also available to meet with constituents at their district office located at 64 Noble Street in Westfield. No appointment is necessary, but calling ahead to (413) 561-1366 is recommended in case they are at the State House.
Humason’s email is [email protected] and his website is www.DonHumason.org.
