Projo Politics Blog

Governor Carcieri said goodbye to the number two official in the state budget office last week, announcing that George Welly, deputy budget officer, plans to retire this year.

Welly, known for his thick-rimmed glasses and his mischievous smile, told Political Scene that the state’s massive budget deficit has nothing to do with his decision.

After 20 years in state government — including a brief stint as acting director of the Department of Environmental Management — he said, “It’s time for somebody else to do it.”

“It’s just a coincidence of timing. It has to do with how old I am,” said Welly, who turned 60 in September. “I took six weeks off this summer to recuperate from some surgery; that’s when I realized I really could live as a private citizen.”

The governor and state Budget Officer Gallogly said goodbye to Welly last week.

“This is George’s last hurrah,” Carcieri told a packed news conference Friday. “We’re going to miss you hugely, George.”

Gallogly noted Welly’s sense of humor, adding that he’s got some sort of contraption in his office involving a monkey dangling from a string.

“He’s a hell of a lot of fun to work with,” she told Political Scene after Thursday’s budget briefing. “Last night we were here at 10:30 punching holes in stuff and we were all laughing. Part of that is because George makes it a very light atmosphere.”

Welly, who earned more than $114,000 last year, said he may drive out to Nevada soon after he retires.

“I don’t have any plans to work for anybody else. I want to have an active retirement.”

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