Travaglini considers his options

Senate President Robert E. Travaglini said yesterday that he has ''no intention of leaving presently" from his job, and that he will seek reelection and another term as the Senate's leader. But he acknowledged that his personal financial situation is a consideration about how much longer he will stay in the post.

''The date and circumstances of my departure will be defined by me, not external outside influences who profess to be knowledgeable in this area," said Travaglini, whose discussions with his colleagues about a possible timing of his stepping down prompted speculation this week that he would leave in the near future.

''The only people who have that power are my wife and mother and neither is encouraging me to leave," Travaglini said in an interview with the Globe.

But with his $85,000-a-year salary and two teenage children headed to college in the years ahead, Travaglini said that salary is ''a consideration."

''I tried to direct attention to the compensation paid to the Senate president and the speaker of the House," he said. ''Soon district city councilors are going to be making more than the Senate president."

Still, Travaglini insisted that he plans to return to the Senate when the 2007 session opens in January. ''I have no intention of leaving presently," said Travaglini, who has been Senate president since January 2003.

In private conversations, Travaglini, who was elected to the Senate in 1992 and who is unopposed for reelection, has talked in general terms ending his Senate career, but left the impression that no imminent move is planned.

Those who have talked with him say he will probably serve for another year or two.