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Welch brings tested practices to Hampden District

Date: 2/1/2011

Feb. 2, 2011

By Katelyn Gendron

Assistant Editor

WEST SPRINGFIELD — State Sen. James Welch may have a new job, a new staff and a new, larger district but this seasoned legislator is certainly not the new kid on the block.

Welch, who served previously as state representative for the 6th Hampden District, was sworn in Hampden District's senator last month, taking on a larger demographic with his tried professional model dedicated to constituent service.

"Overall, our number one goal is always going to be constituent service. No matter what or who it is, we are going to address those issues quickly and responsibly in a way that people are satisfied," Welch said.

The senator credited his experience in the House to his ranking committee assignments as chair of the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

A top priority for him as a senator, he said, is to achieve "regional economic equality."

"We're trying to do things with policy or legislatively to enhance Western Massachusetts on the economic level so that when we do pass or create economic development packages on the state level that Western Mass. benefits," Welch explained.

When asked if casino gaming is part of that economic package, he explained that "casinos are one facet" but that the real question is, "How do we create jobs and how can we best help and assist the economy to rebound?"

Welch added, "Education is really the key to turning around the economy." He said public education must remain level-funded or better to ensure that high school and college graduates have the tools necessary to enter the workforce.

Welch noted financial constraints might make funding education, in addition to all other local aid packages, "very difficult" this budget season.

The budget is far from the senator's only concern; he filed several pieces of legislation last month pertaining to a variety of topics concerning best practices for the hiring of a state secretary of economic development; the establishment of a murder victims assistance fund; and the restructuring of parole boards, calling for at least one member to be a victims' rights advocate.

Welch noted the bills filed have a long road ahead as they have yet to be assigned to committees for consideration.

The senator maintained that he would remain a strong advocate for Western Massachusetts and hoped that these next two years would bring economic renewal and prosperity for the people of his district.



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