Update: It's official. From the governor's office:

"I am pleased that Keith has agreed to lead the EDC for this next year.  These next few months are critical to the future success of the agency and our economic recovery.  Keith is the right person to continue to build upon the momentum to improve the EDC, strengthen its mission, and to be more responsive to our existing businesses, support the growth of new industries and to improve the economic climate in Rhode Island," said Governor Donald L. Carcieri. 

There was a rare degree of bipartisan goodwill during today's State House news conference when Governor Carcieri signed the House and Senate bills outlawing prostitution in Rhode Island. The Republican governor was generous in his kind words for the respective Democratic sponsors, Representative Joanne Giannini and Senator Paul Jabour, calling Giannini a "lioness" in her four years of advocacy for the legislation. Giannini, in turn, credited Sue Carcieri with having boosted her spirits during some down moments. The governor also had warm words for AG Patrick Lynch, and vice versa.

Rhode Island's General Assembly has passed a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July, but has several other hot-button issues to deal with before final adjournment for the year.With the state economy in the tank and state finances awash in red ink, some on Smith Hill see the move as the first step toward the Assembly meeting year-round.

Rhode Island's General Assembly has passed a state budget for the fiscal year that begins July, but has sevral other hot-button issues to deal with nbefore final adjournment for the year.

The House decided on Friday  to take a break fore the fourth of July holiday, then reconvene to deal with a passel of issues, including education, banning indoor prostitution and such nettlesome measures as the E-Verify legislation that would require employers to use a fedetral date base to check the immigration status of employees.

Governor Carcieri will discuss his opposition to same-sex marriage tonight on the "The 700 Club," the Christian Broadcasting Network's flagship show. Carcieri's staff released notice of the appearance on his web site this afternoon.

The governor will appear on a special segment produced by the network's news show and will be about the "traditional/gay marriage debate."

At 4:03 this afternoon, the e-mailed news release zipped from Governor Carcieri's office saying that he has nominated Kristen Rodgers, 41, a lawyer in the Providence law firm of Blish and Cavanagh, for a seat on the Superior Court.

Eleven minutes later, at 4:14, the news release came from the state court system: Presiding Superior Court Justice Joseph Rodgers announced his retirement. Rodgers, 67, is the father of Kristen Rodgers.

UPDATE II: Gio responds.

Giovanni Cicione, chairman of the RI GOP, has released a statement in response to the one earlier today from Bill Lynch. Here's part of it:

“Rhode Island Democrats have a long history of ‘pay to play’ when it comes to statehouse access, and they don’t like it when the business community stands up for itself”, said Cicione.  “To call on a non-profit to disclose its donors flies in the face of free speech protections that cover such entities.  Bill Lynch wants to toss out the First Amendment so that he and his cronies can punish those businesses who would dare stand up to the

As the General Assembly slouches into its sixth month, lawmakers have taken the familiar path and left the tough taxing and spending decisions until the last minute. WRNI Political analyst Scott MacKay surveys the options -- none of which are good or easy.

As we we have seen in the national banking mess, the federal government has adopted a "too big to fail'' philosophy when it comes to most financial institutions. WRNI Political Analyst Scott MacKay says Rhode Island state government may face a similar Hobson's Choice when it comes to the Twin River gambling parlor.

There is an old saw in the banking business: If you owe the bank a thousand dollars, the bank owns you. If you owe the bank $100 million dollars, you own the bank.

With about a year and a half left in his second and final term, Governor Donald Carcieri has ended his campaign fund. The ProJo's Kathy Gregg has the details:

While his predecessors have kept their accounts open to raise money for other candidates, their parties and their own political activities, such as out-of-state trips to national party or governors' association events, Carcieri made another choice.