New In The Phoenix -- DeLeo's Diverse Team

In this week's issue of the Boston Phoenix -- out today -- I note that the elevation to Speaker of yet another aging white man, 58-year-old Robert DeLeo, has paradoxically hastened the fall from power of the aging white men in the House. Angelo Scaccia, David Flynn, Dan Bosley, Tom Golden, Jim Fagan, Jim Miceli, Geoff Hall, Stephen Tobin, David Nangle, Joe Wagner... Not a good day for the over-45 white guys.

Moving up were a number of young, black, Hispanic, and/or female reps, including quite a few from right in and around Boston.

I don't want to make it sound like the old white guys' days are done in the House -- they still hold a lot of key positions -- but it's a trend worth noting.

I also look at concerns that environmental advocates have about the new assignments in both chambers -- including the unexpected appointment of East Boston's Anthony Petruccelli to chair the senate environment committee.

The article is here: