Head GOP budget writer will retire
The top Republican budget writer in the state Senate is retiring.
Ridgefield Sen. Joe Zarelli said in a statement Friday evening that he hopes he left state government better than he found it. He says the last few years have been both wearing and rewarding.
Zarelli led a budget revolt in the state Senate this year that helped drive a major overhaul in some state policies, such as curtailing early retirement benefits and requiring new rules for balanced budgets. He has held the budget-leading role for the Senate Republicans since 2004.
Zarelli says there is more work to be done to get the state’s finances under control.
Republican state Rep. Ann Rivers is now campaigning to replace Zarelli, along with Democratic candidate Ralph Schmidt.
The Associated Press
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