Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced today that on July 18 the National Governors Association will honor former Republican state Senator-turned-Office of Policy and Management head Robert Genuario with one of eight distinguished service awards being handed out that day.
“Secretary Genuario is well-liked and well-respected by legislators on both sides of the aisle and he is doing a tremendous job in this vitally important position,” Rell said in a statement. “I believe his leadership and accomplishments will leave a legacy that will be unmatched.”
Genuario continues working to help craft a 2009-10/2010-11 budget agreement between Rell and the Democratic-majority General Assembly that addresses a deficit in the billions-of-dollars. Rell today, the start of the new 2009-10 fiscal year, vetoed the budget Democrats passed late last week in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
I asked Genuario if the travel ban Rell imposed several months ago to help cut costs would be lifted so he could accept his NGA award in person at the group’s annual meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi.
“The state wouldn’t be paying for my travel,” Genuario said. “Whether I go will be more dependant on the status of (budget talks) more than anything else.”
There was a rumor Genuario planned to take the early retirement package offered by Rell to try and trim personnel and expenses, but he did not.
Bob Genaurio has been a smart and class act ever since he strode into the Capitol. He is a true public servant. Congrats on a well-earned award.
Comment by Jim Finley — July 2nd, 2009 @ 8:19 am