Sasse poised as the new state revenue director
The next shoe drops in the RIPEC story.
From the gov's office:
Governor Donald L. Carcieri today announced his intention to nominate Gary S. Sasse of East Greenwich as Director of the newly-created Rhode Island Department of Revenue (DoR). Sasse’s decision to retire as Executive Director of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council (RIPEC), a post he has held since 1977, was announced Monday. Sasse’s nomination is subject to Senate advice and consent.
“As the longtime chief of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council, Gary Sasse is the perfect person to head up the new Department of Revenue,” Governor Carcieri said. “Over the last 30 years, Gary has worked with Governors and legislators from both sides of the political aisle to address Rhode Island’s fiscal problems. Like me, Gary is devoted to making sure that state government is operated on a sustainable basis, and that it is a benefit, not a burden, to Rhode Island taxpayers.”
“Gary’s experience, knowledge and dedication will be a tremendous asset as we try to deal with the state’s looming budget shortfall,” Carcieri continued. “I want to thank Gary Sasse for his willingness to take up this important challenge.”
The Department of Revenue was created by the General Assembly in 2005. Since that time, Department of Administration Director Beverly Najarian has served as the interim Director of DoR. The new department oversees a number of functions of state government, including the Division of Taxation, the Division of Lottery, the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Division of Property Valuation, and the Office of Revenue Analysis.
For 30 years, Gary Sasse has played a critical role in the analysis of state and municipal government finance in Rhode Island. Prior to joining RIPEC, Sasse served from 1974 to 1977 as the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer and Deputy Director of Finance and Administration for the City of Memphis, Tennessee. From 1972 to 1974, Sasse served the State of Tennessee as the Director of the Office of Urban and Federal Affairs and as a member of the Governor's Staff.
Gary Sasse earned a B.A. in Political Science from Florida State University and an M.S. in Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia.