New Leadership Team Begins Budget Work On Beacon Hill

A new House leadership team gets to work on Beacon Hill Monday.

On Friday, House Speaker Robert DeLeo made several personnel changes. Those changes could have a big impact on legislation, including the state budget.

One of the biggest changes is that Haverhill Rep. Brian Dempsey is now the new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, the panel tasked with crafting the state budget. Dempsey says his first task is to take a hard look at the governor's budget proposal.

"I'm intrigued by some of the governor's proposals, particularly around MassHealth, Commonwealth Care and the medical security plan," Dempsey said. "The competitive procurement process that's been proposed is very intriguing."

Dempsey won't be the only budget-writer new to the job. State Sen. Stephen Brewer was just named to head up the Senate Ways and Means Committee just two weeks ago.