Salvatore F. DiMasi retires after 30 years as Massachussetts's House Speaker

From Boston.com. The state's first Italian-American speaker, who will be replaced by fellow-ethnic Robert A. DeLeo, has a long record of legislative achievements. According to The Boston Globe DeMasi "was instrumental in crafting Massachusetts's healthcare reform legislation, which advocates have hailed as a national model. He also helped kill a 2007 referendum to defeat gay marriage and orchestrated the failure of Governor Deval Patrick’s plan to license three resort casinos." However, the paper continues, DiMasi's long political career

"may ultimately be marred by the ethical questions that triggered multiple investigations and may have prompted his resignation. His friend and former accountant, Richard Vitale, was accused last month by Attorney General Martha Coakley of using his influence with DiMasi to push for a bill that would benefit his client, the Massachusetts Association of Ticket Brokers."