Linsky Appointed Powerful Post Audit Chair

BOSTON — House Speaker Robert DeLeo's overhaul of committee assignments, which gave some MetroWest lawmakers added powers, means the Legislature can finally get down to business nearly a month into the session.

DeLeo announced committee leadership assignments during a Democratic caucus yesterday, ending weeks of uncertainty before and after the resignation of Salvatore DiMasi from the speaker's post.

"The bottom line is that Speaker DeLeo has really shaken things up in the House," said Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, new chairman of the Committee on Post Audit and Oversight. "He has put people into leadership positions based on merit and willingness to work hard on behalf of the people of Massachusetts."

Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin, was elevated to the key position of House majority leader, replacing Rep. John Rogers, D-Norwood, who lost out to DeLeo in the race to be speaker.

The House is in "uncharted territory" in terms of the budget deficit and calls for transportation, ethics and pension reform, Vallee said.

The Legislature is debating several issues, including rule changes and Gov. Deval Patrick's budget proposal, which the governor has urged legislators to consider and pass quickly.

With a budget deficit of more than $1 billion, one of DeLeo's biggest assignments was as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, a position he held before becoming speaker. Rep. Charles Murphy, D-Burlington, will fill the new House budget chief position.

The speaker's experience as the budget writing boss gives him an understanding of fiscal policy, which is needed to tackle the financial issues of this session and beyond, Vallee said.

"I think you'll see the speaker and the House immediately pouncing on the issues of the day," Vallee said. "We just took up rules, and we're looking at what's next."

As far as actions within the committees go, representatives said they were eager to get started.

"I have a wide range of issues I want to take on," said Linsky, whose committee has nearly unlimited jurisdiction as a fiscal watchdog. "I don't intend to sit idly by."

With few leaks about the appointments until DeLeo's announcement, local representatives said yesterday was one of their most anxious as legislators.

Vallee said that DeLeo's decision to make him the No. 2 person in the House caught him by surprise.

"I'm very pleased that the speaker asked me to be a partner with him in changing the culture and public image of the House," Vallee said. "We're going to work to make some changes that I think will benefit our commonwealth."

Both Linsky and Vallee said their new positions will mean additional responsibilities, but also benefits for their constituents.

"I'm moving into a more statewide position in terms of working with all of the legislators," Vallee said. "But overall for my constituents, it gives them a tremendous amount of access to the state government."

A leadership position also went to Rep. Peter Koutoujian D-Waltham, who will replace Rep. Ronald Mariano, D-Quincy, as the chairman of the Financial Services Committee. Mariano is moving on to be assistant majority leader to Vallee.

Rep. Jay Kaufman, D-Lexington, will now head the Revenue Committee.