The Tri-Towns and the North Shore as a whole could have a lot of clout in the new state legislative session after a local senator and representative both took new positions of power last week .

Sen. Frederic Berry (D-Peabody), who represents Topsfield, was named Senate majority leader last week by Senate President Robert Travaglini (D-Boston).

House Republicans voted Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading), who represents Middleton, the new House minority leader.

“There will certainly be a loud voice between the two of them on behalf of the North Shore and our districts especially,” Rep. Brad Hill (R-Ipswich) said in an interview this week.

Jones agreed, pointing out that another state leader hails from the North Shore: Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, who lives in Beverly.

Sen. Berry warned, however, that the local power in state government will be relative to the state’s billion-dollar budget deficit.

“Under normal circumstances, I would be enthused about our power, but with the budget crisis, even if the governor was from Topsfield, it wouldn’t matter because we have no money,” he said. “That will probably overwhelm most things. We’re in quite a predicament now.”

Rep. Jones, whose district also includes Lynnfield, Reading, and North Reading, served as assistant House minority leader during the last legislative session. Sen. Berry was previously vice chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Salem are also part of his district.

“Members in the Senate value Sen. Berry’s sense of humor, his courage in overcoming adversity, and for being one of the most respected and effective legislative leaders in the building,” Travaglini said in a press release.

Travaglini and Berry have been close friends for more than a decade, so Berry wasn’t too surprised when Travaglini made the appointment, he said.

“He always told me if he won, he wanted me to be his leader,” he added.

Rep. Jones’ appointment represents another achievement in a career that started as a legislative aide.

“He deserves it,” said Rep. Hill. “I’ve never met an individual more in tune with all the pieces of legislation as Brad is. He’s put a lot of tune into this building.”