‘A cut above most’

When he announced his retirement in May, Philip C. Jimeno gave his wife, Ramona, an IOU for a winter vacation. It’s something the couple hadn’t enjoyed in 28 years. Now his official departure from the state Senate is less than a week away, and in three weeks the Jimenos will head for a six-day vacation in the Dominican Republic.

For once, the senior member of the county’s legislative delegation is leaving the cares of Anne Arundel County behind.

Other things have changed too. Mr. Jimeno’s Christmas wish list was empty of the usual suits and ties this year, and instead of prepping for the start of the legislation Jan. 10, he’s...