Gov's address to focus on jobs, budget

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Gov. Don Carcieri will discuss Rhode Island's ongoing jobs crisis and ways to support small businesses during his final State of the State speech.

The Republican governor is scheduled to give his eighth annual address Tuesday at 7 p.m. before a joint session of the General Assembly.

Carcieri's office says the governor will speak about the economy in a state with a 12.9 percent unemployment rate . He will also give details about his plans for closing massive state budget deficits. Plummeting tax income has caused growing budget shortfalls.

Besides speaking about the economy, Carcieri will reflect on his time as the state's chief executive. By law, he must leave office after finishing his second term early next year.