Rhode Island clearly needs more jobs and the federal stimulus package was supposed to bring millions in transportation jobs. But WRNI's Scott MacKay finds that the state is not putting the money to work as fast as some other states.

The friendly connection between Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Roberts and Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian bears watching as Avedisian mulls a possible run for LG next year.

As we know, Avedisian now refuses to rule out such a run -- a change from the past. So some might see an event planned for tomorrow (in the Brennan boardroom at T.F. Green Airport) as something of a power move into one of the most sensitive issues in the Warwick Republican's backyard:

PROVIDENCE— Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts will convene a special meeting of the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC),  

During last Wednesday's budget debate in the House, some reps, particularly Lisa Baldelli-Hunt of Woonsocket, were sharply critical of the move to earmark proceeds from a two-cent per-gallon gas tax hike for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority. It was Badelli-Hunt's view that RIPTA shouldn't get more money because of what she characterized as management woes within the agency.