By STEVE PEOPLES
Journal State House Bureau

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Just four days after leaving a job as Governor Carcieri's top cabinet member, Gary S. Sasse has accepted a job with the General Assembly.

Sasse, who led the governor's Department of Administration until Friday, will work 20 hours a week as an adviser to the House of Representatives, according to an statement released Tuesday afternoon by House Speaker Gordon D. Fox.

"I have asked him to focus his energy on issues relating to government restructuring and tax policy, as well as other projects as we move forward," Fox said. "He brings an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise that will continue to benefit our state as he has done for more than three decades."

Spokesman Larry Berman said that beginning March 9, Sasse would earn a flat fee of $5,000 a month with no benefits.

Sasse never explained his sudden resignation from the executive branch, although it is believed he left -- after several previous threats -- because Carcieri's proposed budget did not go as far as he believed necessary in seeking the reorganization of state government.

Berman noted that Sasse's first priority with the legislative branch would be to work with House Finance Committee Chairman Steven M. Costantino on legislation that would restructure state government.

Berman wouldn't clarify what Sasse's second priority, tax policy, might entail.

A former leader of the business-backed Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, Sasse was recruited by Carcieri in late 2007 to replace Beverly Najarian as administration director.

"I am pleased to be working with Speaker Fox on issues that I have focused on for many years," Sasse said Tuesday in a statement. "He has asked me to continue my work in addressing the state's structural problems, as well as related issues where I can be of assistance."