Local trio on guard over DiMasi rumors

LYNN – Lori Ehrlich is just learning the political ropes while Joyce Spiliotis and Kathi-Anne Reinstein are seasoned veterans, but all three local legislators are taking a guarded view of the latest drama unfolding in the Massachusetts State House.Massachusetts Republicans have questioned House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi’s ethics and asked state attorneys to investigate DiMasi’s relationship with Richard Vitale, a self described “strategist” hired by ticket brokers to seek legislative support for a bill lifting restrictions on their business.DiMasi last week said he never spoke to Vitale about the bill, but questions surrounding the speaker emerged during debate over the state budget, one of the busiest times of the year for legislators.The questions have also sparked talk about top legislators, including Revere Rep. Robert DeLeo, jockeyed to succeed DiMasi should he step down.If that happens tomorrow, Reinstein will back DeLeo for speaker.”We have not had that discussion,” she said, “The speaker has given no indication he is leaving.”Reinstein is a legislative leader under DiMasi and the daughter of the late legislator and Mayor William Reinstein. She practically grew up in the Massachusetts House.Ehrlich, on the other hand, is a Beacon Hill newcomer who got her feet wet the day she took office on March 13.”I was sworn in and an hour later the House was in formal session,” she said.She said the fast pace of legislative business has forced her to learn the political landscape even as she masters the process of introducing and debating legislation.”Because I’m so new to this, I take more of an approach of sitting back and observing.”Third-term legislator Spiliotis said the speculation surfacing around DiMasi and his future as House leader is directly linked to the battle between the speaker and Gov. Deval Patrick over the governor’s casino gambling plan.Like DeLeo, she favors bringing slot machines to Massachusetts racetracks. She would prefer to see one, not the three casinos proposed by Patrick, built.”Casinos obviously plays into this,” Spiliotis said, adding she has not been asked to cement her allegiance to DiMasi or any would-be successors.”If he (DiMasi) makes a decision to leave then I’ll make a decision, but it’s all premature,” she said.