Jan 23, 2009 9:53 pm US/Eastern
Source: DiMasi To Step Down As Speaker
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
WBZ has learned that House Speaker Sal DiMasi will resign "very soon."
A reliable State House source tells WBZ's Joe Shortsleeve that DiMasi will step down as speaker by next week.
DiMasi was recently
elected to a third term as speaker. He has been under fire for months for
his ties to a lobbyist.
Several state representatives told Shortsleeve that DiMasi was quite upset by a recent
Boston Globe article that referenced his inlaws and in particular, legal bills, which were paid by lobbyist Richard Vitale.
Vitale recently pleaded not guilty to violating state laws concerning his lobbying activity.
Vitale is under investigation for
allegedly using his friendship with DiMasi to benefit ticket brokers.
WBZ received a statement from the speaker's office late Friday afternoon, saying, "The speaker is focused on the important work before the house and won't be distracted by the latest round of state house rumors and gossip."
The source tells Shortsleeve that State Rep. Robert DeLeo, a powerful chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is the odds on the favorite to replace DiMasi.
DeLeo released a statement Friday night saying, "There have been a lot of rumors swirling around the State House today, but the Speaker, to my knowledge, has not issued any statement indicating his intentions."
DiMasi has served in the State House since 1979. It's unclear if he'll step down from the speaker's post or from the House altogether.
WHAT RESIGNATION COULD MEAN FOR TAXPAYERS
WBZ's Jon Keller explains what DiMasi's departure could mean for taxpayers:
"The importance of the House Speaker to what does or doesn't get done on Beacon Hill can't be overstated.
DiMasi has been a crucial power broker at the State House, leading the charge against casinos and for gay marriage, and opposing some of Gov. Deval Patrick's tax raising plans.
Dimasi's departure could leave a significant vacuum because whoever succeeds him would preside over a divided house, at least for awhile.
Keep in mind, just because DiMasi might resign doesn't mean the ethics probe involving him and other house members would be over.
All that might mean is more clout for Senate President Terry Murray and Patrick, who have been much more receptive to tax hikes.
Then again, even DiMasi has been more willing to entertain tax hikes lately, what with the budget meltdown."
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