Robert DeLeo (politician)
Encyclopedia
Robert A. DeLeo is an American
politician from the state of Massachusetts
. He is the father of two children, Robbie and Rachele.
As of January 27, 2009 he is the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, succeeding Salvatore DiMasi
, who resigned due to allegations of an ethics violation.
DeLeo represents the "Nineteenth Suffolk" district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives
, and before becoming House Speaker, was the chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee. The Nineteenth Suffolk district includes Winthrop and Revere
.
In addition to serving as a state representative, DeLeo served as a Winthrop town meeting member from 1977 to 2005 and was a member of the town's board of selectman from 1978 to 1988.
. Al was often seen around the community including at the Winthrop Golf Club, but "DeLeo never took up the game". DeLeo attend solely Boston area schools, graduating from the Boston Latin School
, attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern University and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School
.
between 1990 and 2005, he was known as "an amiable, rank-and-file lawmaker who focused on constituent issues such as toll hikes, the expansion of Logan Airport, and rates charged by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
".
In 2005, Speaker Salvatore DiMasi
appointed DeLeo as chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. According to the Globe, "He became so identified with handing out perks to members that earmarks became known as DeLeo Dollars".
Prior to becoming the Speaker of the House, DeLeo had created a reputation for himself as a "consensus-builder" someone who strived to prevent "major flareups while crafting the budget". He does not ideologically identify himself with a large number of issues or legislation, but "his views appear more conservative" than the former speaker, DiMasi. Unlike DiMasi who was strongly in favor of defending gay marriage rights, DeLeo was originally against same-sex marriage. In 2007 DeLeo may have shown a change in this belief when he voted against the amendment that would have defined marriage the union of one man and one woman. Another consertive opinion that DeLeo has is against the "right of women to have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save a mother's life".
In April 2011, DeLeo led a vote to remove the health-care related collective bargaining rights of Massachusetts police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other municipal employees. The vote was conducted at 11:30pm in order to avoid protesters. It passed with 111 in favor and 42 opposed.
to discuss policy plans as part of the leadership meetings, where this issue of slot machines and resort casinos first presented itself under DeLeo's leadership. The casino debate was initially supported by the general public, the State House News Service poll at the time showed 57% support of reintroducing the gambling debate.
Towards the end of 2009, DeLeo began to publicly support casinos as a way to increase revenues, and minimize the effects of the economic downturn. DeLeo stated in an interview with The Boston Globe, "I'm hoping this will not just be a gaming bill, but also an economic development one". By December 2009, DeLeo had shown favor to putting slot machines in the states four racetracks; Patrick, however, had shown opposition along with Senate President Therese Murray
who stated that her preference was resort casinos. DeLeo stated that the slot machines were a "natural progression" to casinos, and they would have the advantage of being installed quickly. The conflict between DeLeo and Patrick was further exacerbated by the fact that against Patrick's wishes the debate had been postponed until 2010. The gambling debate became complicated further by the economic recession which had taken its toll on the casino industry.
On March 4, 2010, DeLeo announced his blueprint for expanded gambling to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. His plan included two resort casinos and 3,000 slot machines at the state's four racetracks. DeLeo added that the legislation would add jobs and part of the revenue would be put aside for capital investments for Massachusetts businesses. While Patrick had not stated that he would veto legislation which included slots in racetracks, he had made it clear that he was not in favor of adding slots to the gaming debate.
As the debate continued tensions between Patrick and DeLeo grew over the issue of slots in the racetracks, by July 2010 Patrick had called the addition of slots "a no bid contract" that would give a few developers all of the gaming contracts for slots. DeLeo retorted that his plan for expanded gaming was Massachusetts' best way to deal with the revenue shortfalls, and lack of jobs. At this point, a number of groups opposed to the expanded gaming bill had gained a voice on the state level and the whole process began to lose steam.
Over the next few months the debate shrank from two casinos and four tracks to two casinos and one track at which point Patrick was still unwilling to compromise. By August, DeLeo had entrenched himself in to the position of continuing to push for the bill while simultaneously rejecting any additional compromises. Patrick had rejected the measure, and with the end of full session and the majority of the Legislature on summer break it became apparent that the bill would not survive.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from the state of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He is the father of two children, Robbie and Rachele.
As of January 27, 2009 he is the Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, succeeding Salvatore DiMasi
Salvatore DiMasi
Salvatore F. "Sal" DiMasi is a former Democratic state representative in Massachusetts. The former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives originally joined the state legislature in 1979, as a member of the Democratic Party...
, who resigned due to allegations of an ethics violation.
DeLeo represents the "Nineteenth Suffolk" district in the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Massachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
, and before becoming House Speaker, was the chairperson of the House Ways and Means Committee. The Nineteenth Suffolk district includes Winthrop and Revere
Revere, Massachusetts
Revere is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, and located approximately from downtown Boston. It is named after the American patriot Paul Revere. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 51,755.- History :...
.
In addition to serving as a state representative, DeLeo served as a Winthrop town meeting member from 1977 to 2005 and was a member of the town's board of selectman from 1978 to 1988.
Early life and education
DeLeo resides in the same house in which he grew up. When he was young, his father, Al, was in charge of a restaurant at Suffolk DownsSuffolk Downs
Suffolk Downs, a thoroughbred race track in East Boston, Massachusetts, United States opened in 1935. Famous horses that have raced at this track include Seabiscuit, Whirlaway, Funny Cide and Cigar. The MassCap is held there, as well at the annual Hot Dog Safari...
. Al was often seen around the community including at the Winthrop Golf Club, but "DeLeo never took up the game". DeLeo attend solely Boston area schools, graduating from the Boston Latin School
Boston Latin School
The Boston Latin School is a public exam school founded on April 23, 1635, in Boston, Massachusetts. It is both the first public school and oldest existing school in the United States....
, attaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern University and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School
Suffolk University Law School, also known as Suffolk Law School or SULS, is one of the professional graduate schools of Suffolk University. Suffolk University Law School is a private, non-sectarian, law school located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Suffolk University Law School was founded in...
.
Massachusetts House of Representatives
During his time in the Massachusetts House of RepresentativesMassachusetts House of Representatives
The Massachusetts House of Representatives is the lower house of the Massachusetts General Court, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is composed of 160 members elected from single-member electoral districts across the Commonwealth. Representatives serve two-year terms...
between 1990 and 2005, he was known as "an amiable, rank-and-file lawmaker who focused on constituent issues such as toll hikes, the expansion of Logan Airport, and rates charged by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is a public authority in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that provides wholesale drinking water and sewage services to certain municipalities and industrial users in the state, primarily in the Boston area.The authority receives water from the Quabbin...
".
In 2005, Speaker Salvatore DiMasi
Salvatore DiMasi
Salvatore F. "Sal" DiMasi is a former Democratic state representative in Massachusetts. The former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives originally joined the state legislature in 1979, as a member of the Democratic Party...
appointed DeLeo as chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means. According to the Globe, "He became so identified with handing out perks to members that earmarks became known as DeLeo Dollars".
Prior to becoming the Speaker of the House, DeLeo had created a reputation for himself as a "consensus-builder" someone who strived to prevent "major flareups while crafting the budget". He does not ideologically identify himself with a large number of issues or legislation, but "his views appear more conservative" than the former speaker, DiMasi. Unlike DiMasi who was strongly in favor of defending gay marriage rights, DeLeo was originally against same-sex marriage. In 2007 DeLeo may have shown a change in this belief when he voted against the amendment that would have defined marriage the union of one man and one woman. Another consertive opinion that DeLeo has is against the "right of women to have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save a mother's life".
In April 2011, DeLeo led a vote to remove the health-care related collective bargaining rights of Massachusetts police officers, firefighters, teachers, and other municipal employees. The vote was conducted at 11:30pm in order to avoid protesters. It passed with 111 in favor and 42 opposed.
Casino gambling
DeLeo reintroduced the gambling debate to the House of Representatives in his first months as speaker. Gambling legislation introduced under DiMasi had failed. In the beginning of February 2009, DeLeo met with Governor Deval PatrickDeval Patrick
Deval Laurdine Patrick is the 71st and current Governor of Massachusetts. A member of the Democratic Party, Patrick served as an Assistant United States Attorney General under President Bill Clinton...
to discuss policy plans as part of the leadership meetings, where this issue of slot machines and resort casinos first presented itself under DeLeo's leadership. The casino debate was initially supported by the general public, the State House News Service poll at the time showed 57% support of reintroducing the gambling debate.
Towards the end of 2009, DeLeo began to publicly support casinos as a way to increase revenues, and minimize the effects of the economic downturn. DeLeo stated in an interview with The Boston Globe, "I'm hoping this will not just be a gaming bill, but also an economic development one". By December 2009, DeLeo had shown favor to putting slot machines in the states four racetracks; Patrick, however, had shown opposition along with Senate President Therese Murray
Therese Murray
Therese Murray is an American state legislator who has served as President of the Massachusetts Senate since March 2007. Murray, a Democrat, is the first woman to lead a house of the Massachusetts General Court...
who stated that her preference was resort casinos. DeLeo stated that the slot machines were a "natural progression" to casinos, and they would have the advantage of being installed quickly. The conflict between DeLeo and Patrick was further exacerbated by the fact that against Patrick's wishes the debate had been postponed until 2010. The gambling debate became complicated further by the economic recession which had taken its toll on the casino industry.
On March 4, 2010, DeLeo announced his blueprint for expanded gambling to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. His plan included two resort casinos and 3,000 slot machines at the state's four racetracks. DeLeo added that the legislation would add jobs and part of the revenue would be put aside for capital investments for Massachusetts businesses. While Patrick had not stated that he would veto legislation which included slots in racetracks, he had made it clear that he was not in favor of adding slots to the gaming debate.
As the debate continued tensions between Patrick and DeLeo grew over the issue of slots in the racetracks, by July 2010 Patrick had called the addition of slots "a no bid contract" that would give a few developers all of the gaming contracts for slots. DeLeo retorted that his plan for expanded gaming was Massachusetts' best way to deal with the revenue shortfalls, and lack of jobs. At this point, a number of groups opposed to the expanded gaming bill had gained a voice on the state level and the whole process began to lose steam.
Over the next few months the debate shrank from two casinos and four tracks to two casinos and one track at which point Patrick was still unwilling to compromise. By August, DeLeo had entrenched himself in to the position of continuing to push for the bill while simultaneously rejecting any additional compromises. Patrick had rejected the measure, and with the end of full session and the majority of the Legislature on summer break it became apparent that the bill would not survive.