PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Governor Chafee has targeted Jan. 16 for the delivery to state lawmakers of his "state of the state'' address and his proposed state budget.
Responding to an inquiry, Chafee spokeswoman Christine Hunsinger confirmed Wednesday that the governor has now asked General Assembly leaders for permission to use the House chamber on that day, to deliver his speech.
The state faces a projected $69 million revenue-spending shortfall in the year that begins July 1.
Chafee has not yet said how he proposes to close this projected deficit, but he has not ruled out a third effort at trying to convince legislators to both expand -- and lower -- the state's 7 percent sales tax.
The lawmakers agreed to extend the tax to a number of previously-exempt items and services, including non-prescription drugs, taxi cab services and high-end clothing, to raise tens of millions of additional dollars, but without lowering the rate.