We took it in stride when Jane Swift became the first woman governor of Massachusetts and the first governor anywhere who will give birth (twice!) while in office (well, she probably won't actually give birth in her office). But our ears perked up in the Pioneer Valley when Senate President Thomas Birmingham proposed that the taxpayers provide a housing subsidy for the suitcase-packing Governor. 

The fact that Massachusetts is one of only six states in the nation that does not have a Governor's Mansion speaks, perhaps, of our good New England frugality. But perhaps the lack of digs in Boston says something else: Those from outside Boston need not apply. 

Gov. Swift already has turned down the housing subsidy proposal, saying she and her husband are happiest raising their family in the Berkshires and plan to stick with that arrangement. But does the subsidy proposal have some merit? And what would it mean to those of us who do live in the best area code in the state? 

"Frankly," says Sen. Stanley Rosenberg of Amherst, "it has always seemed odd to me that we don't have a Governor's residence. I don't think it would be a bad idea to provide something reasonably priced." Sen. Rosenberg — like many commuting legislators — pays two rents so that he can make votes and meetings at the Statehouse while still fulfilling his obligations in his district. "Even with recent salary and per diem increases," Rosenberg says, "it's still something of a hardship for legislators from outside of Boston." 

Sen. Stephen Brewer of Barre puts it more bluntly. "In this situation, as usual, Boston takes the elevator and the rest of Massachusetts gets the shaft! The Boston crowd doesn't quite understand the particular challenges of representing a district in the rest of the state. This was an intriguing overture," Brewer says of Birmingham's proposal. "But a moot one now, since Acting Gov. Swift declined it. You know, it's like a leaky roof: You can't fix it when it's raining because it's raining. And you don't need to fix it when it's not raining." 

Our Viewpoint: Give the Governor a home

Gov. Swift does not deserve any special privileges because she's a woman or even because she is hugely pregnant. But the governor of our great state living out of a suitcase? It's embarrassing, inefficient and it does send a "Need not apply" message to those of us from outside 495. Some housing arrangement ought to be made -- if not for Jane Swift then for future governors who come from outside of Boston. 

To share your viewpoint on this or other issues, e-mail us as at info2005@valleyviewpoint.com

For Viewpoints about this article - Click Here

Make Your Voice Heard: Contact your State Senator

Contact your state senators and let them know how you feel about this or other issues. 

STATE SENATOR STEPHEN M. BREWER  

Representing: WORCESTER, HAMPDEN, HAMPSHIRE AND FRANKLIN. - Athol, Barre, Brookfield, East Brookfield, Hardwick, Hubbardston, New Braintree, North Brookfield, Oakham, Paxton, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Rutland, Spencer, Sturbridge, Templeton, Warren, West Brookfield and Winchendon, in the county of Worcester; Brimfield, Holland, Monson, Palmer and Wales, in the county of Hampden; Belchertown and Ware, in the county of Hampshire; and Erving, New Salem, Northfield, Orange and Warwick, in the county of Franklin 

Room 109-B
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Telephone: (617) 722-1540

State House E-Mail Address: SBrewer@senate.state.ma.us 

STATE SENATOR ANDREA F. NUCIFORO, Jr.

Representing: BERKSHIRE, HAMPDEN, HAMPSHIRE AND FRANKLIN - Adams, Alford, Becket, Cheshire, Clarksburg, Dalton, Egremont, Florida, Great Barrington, Hancock, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Ashford, New Marlborough, NORTH ADAMS, Otis, Peru, PITTSFIELD, Richmond, Sandisfield, Savoy, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, Washington, West Stockbridge, Williamstown and Windsor, in the county of Berkshire; Blandford, Chester, Granville and Tolland, in the county of Hampden; Cummington, Middlefield, Plainfield and Worthington, in the county of Hampshire; and Charlemont, Hawley, Heath, Monroe and Rowe, in the county of Franklin. 

District office: 74 North St., Suite 604
Pittsfield, MA  01201
413-442-6810 

State House office:
Room 323
Boston,  MA 02133
617-722-1625

State House E-Mail Address: ANucifor@senate.state.ma.us 

STATE SENATOR STANLEY C. ROSENBERG

representing: HAMPSHIRE AND FRANKLIN. - Northampton, Amherst, Chesterfield, Goshen, Hadley, Hatfield, Huntington, Pelham, South Hadley, Westhampton and Williamsburg, in the county of Hampshire; and Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Greenfield, Leverett, Leyden, Montague, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Sunderland, Wendell and Whately, in the county of Franklin. 

District office: 1 Prince St.
Northampton, MA 01060
tel 413-584-1649
fax: 413-582-0113

State House office: 
Room 320
tel 617-722-1532 
fax 617-722-1062

State House E-Mail Address: Sen.StanRosenberg@senate.state.ma.us
E-Mail Address: srosenb@k12.phast.umass.edu

Senator's Home Page: http://www.westmass.com/rosenberg

Make your voice heard.

Click here. This link will take you to a page where we have listed contact information for all of the State legislators, including most of their e-mail addresses. Let them know your viewpoint!

What's Your Viewpoint?

Tell us what you think about this or any other issue.  info2005@valleyviewpoint.com. 

Responses to this article:

April 18, 2001

Chris Harris
Northfield

When you accept a new job at a distance, you move your household. However, I would be willing to support a dormitory/bunkhouse establishment for all out-of-town office-holders, including the governor.

George Bluh
Greenfield

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