Topping off a list of noted politicos shifting jobs recently, lobbyist Thomas A. Palangio has left his job with the City of Providence, months after the city’s legislative package was shut out at the General Assembly.

Mayor David N. Cicilline’s spokeswoman, Karen Southern, said Palangio was not forced out. “He decided to leave to pursue other interests,” Southern told Political Scene.

Palangio, a former state representative, left his $75,000-a-year job as director of intergovernmental relations two weeks ago.

Cicilline offered him another job, an administrative position in the Department of Inspections and Standards, but Palangio turned it down, Southern said.

This spring, Cicilline had sought an extensive package of bills from the General Assembly, most allowing Providence to levy a series of new fines and fees in lieu of raising taxes. The city also hired a private lobbying firm to supplement Palangio’s work at the Assembly.

But nearly all the Providence bills were rejected, and Cicilline had to raise taxes by the maximum amount allowed to balance the city budget.

At the time, several City Council members criticized the job Palangio did -- and questioned whether he was doing it at all -- if the city found it necessary to hire an outside firm.

“If it was lobbying, then he didn’t do a very good job of it. He doesn’t get a very good grade on his efforts,” said Councilman John J. Lombardi.

Palangio did not respond to repeated attempts to contact him over several days for this story.

Southern said Palangio’s job may not be filled. The city is looking at restructuring the way it handles its lobbying, she said, and may change the nature of the position or decide instead to employ private lobbyists, among other options.

Palangio spent 1993 to 2002 as a Democratic state representative from Providence, and rose to the rank of deputy majority leader. He owns extensive real estate in Providence, and operates Consumers Auto Sales, a used-car business on Manton Avenue.

--By Steve Peoples, Katherine Gregg, Daniel Barbarisi and Elizabeth Gudrais

Journal staff writers