Robert A. DeLeo, speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, will step down effective Tuesday at 6 p.m.
In nearly 12 years at the top of Beacon Hill, Winthrop s DeLeo has survived two governors, four senate presidents, four top budget lieutenants and three U.S. attorneys. He s chaperoned over a decade s worth of incremental liberal policy-making while pleasing employers, irritating the left and avoiding the corruption that ensnared his most recent predecessors.
As he departs the speakership for a job at his alma mater, Northeastern University, here are some of the issues that have shaped DeLeo s legacy as the longest serving speaker in state history.
Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo has disclosed that he is negotiating job opportunities with Northeastern University. Speaker DeLeo’s Office released the following statement last Friday, Dec. 18: “Today I filed a disclosure letter with the House Clerk and the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission to disclose that I intend to begin negotiating prospective employment opportunities with Northeastern University. As of today, I have not personally had any discussions with anyone from Northeastern University relative to any possible employment opportunities. “On December 16, 2020, I requested that my personal legal counsel contact the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission to discuss my status and to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Conflict of Interest Law. Although, based on my current status, a disclosure is not currently required I have nevertheless elected to disclose my intention to begin negotiating prospective employment opportunities with Northeastern Univ
House accepts revised police accountability bill, putting it on the verge of becoming law
Governor Baker has already pledged to sign bill once it hits his desk
By Matt Stout Globe Staff,Updated December 22, 2020, 11:05 p.m.
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Boston police outside the District 2 Police Station where protesters marched in May. Under the bill, a system for certifying police officers in Massachusetts would be instituted for the first time.Barry Chin/Globe Staff
The Massachusetts House on Tuesday approved a revised version of a sweeping policing bill, making it all but certain the state will soon enact legislation that emerged after protests over police misconduct and the death of George Floyd gripped Massachusetts and beyond.
Could DeLeo have signaled passage at last of campus assault bill?
Updated December 23, 2020, 2:30 a.m.
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House Speaker Robert DeLeo spoke during a briefing at the State House in February.Lane Turner/Globe Staff
DeLeo should not just be aware of House Bill H.4418, which would have a decided impact on Northeastern and all Massachusetts colleges and universities. He also should be actively engaged in its passage.
H.4418 was written by Northeastern students who founded Every Voice Coalition, a student-led organization that advocates legislation addressing campus sexual assault. The bill would require colleges and universities in the Commonwealth to enact stronger policies to prevent sexual assault, gain more transparency about its incidence, and provide improved resources and support for survivors. Since the measure was introduced five years ago, some version of it has passed in other states, including New Hampshire this year. Yet the Massachusetts bill has languishe
Massachusetts Senate agrees to Bakerâs demands for key changes in policing bill
The governor had vowed not to sign the original version
By Matt Stout Globe Staff,Updated December 21, 2020, 8:30 p.m.
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The Rev. Dr. Andre Bennett of Zion Baptist Church of Lynn spoke in front of a group of police accountability activists who sang carols in front of the home of House Speaker Robert DeLeo on Saturday. Eastern Massachusetts faith groups also held vigils at the homes of Senate President Karen Spilka and Governor Charlie Baker urging them not to remove communities leverage to hold police accountable and standards around use of force and training from the recently passed police reform bill.Josh Reynolds for The Boston Globe