GOP’s Zarelli, key budget writer, quits early

Wed., May 30, 2012

Associated Press

OLYMPIA – The top Republican budget writer in the Washington state Senate is resigning this week.

Earlier this month, Sen. Joe Zarelli, of Ridgefield, announced that he wouldn’t run for re-election, but it was assumed he would finish out his term. However, on Tuesday, Zarelli announced that Thursday would be his last day.

He said it is time for him to “start focusing on where I’m going next and to begin that journey.”

Zarelli led a budget revolt in the state Senate this year that helped drive an 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.

County Republicans in the 18th Legislative District will recommend three names to Clark and Cowlitz county commissioners, who will appoint a replacement from that list to the Senate to fill out Zarelli’s term through Dec. 6. Under the state constitution, if a state lawmaker resigns before their term is up, the winner in the general election is sworn in once the election is certified on Dec. 6.

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