City Manager Jay Ash, State Reps. Eugene O’Flaherty and Kathi Reinstein, Sen. Sal DiDomenico, Christian Calvo of Roca, and Roca Youth Sstars are shown at The Annual Legislative Breakfast Friday at the Winthrop Ssenior Center.
Just call her number four.
Revere and Chelsea State Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein (D-Revere) got tapped last week by House Speaker Bob DeLeo (D-Winthrop) to ascend to the fourth highest leadership position in the state House of Representatives.
DeLeo made news last week when he announced that there would be a big shake up in his leadership team this session.
In composing that new team, DeLeo decided to promote Reinstein from a Floor Division Leader post to the Assistant Majority Whip. The Assistant Majority Whip is the fourth highest-ranking position in that legislative body.
Reinstein said she was delighted, and pointed out that no representative from Revere had ever climbed that high in the ranks.
“I’m just so honored to be part of the leadership team and to be one of only a few women in the history of the legislature to be at that level,” said Reinstein. “It’s humbling and I’m thankful that Speaker DeLeo has confidence in me to do this job. It’s a lot of work. Most of all, it’s a really good thing for my district and that’s what I’m really happy about.”
Reinstein said that when she heard there might be a shake up, she had a conversation with DeLeo and let him know her interest.
“I knew there was a possible opportunity above me and I did advocate for myself because I felt I have worked very hard,” she said.
For Reinstein, the new post follows up a grueling and stressful assignment to the Expanded Gaming Conference Committee last summer. Though the end result was not successful, Reinstein spent a great deal of time trying to negotiate a resolution.
With that experience under her belt, she said she was ready for even more responsibility.
Mostly, she will work with members, interface with state agencies and specialize in specific issues.
“A lot of the smaller stuff I’ve already been doing, but now I will be doing that more often and with more responsibility,” she said.
Reinstein’s new post became effective last Friday and it comes with a new office – which means her State House phone number and work address will be changing.