Rhode Island

Rhode Island is the smallest in terms of area of the fifty United States. Sitting on the East Coast and bordering the Rhode Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, Rhode Island is part of the U.S.'s New England region. The abutting states of Rhode Island are Massachusetts and Connecticut.

Today August 24th 2009 Gov. Donald Carcieri announced that trimming the state budget of $68 million dollars would require a twelve day state government shutdown and has issued an executive order mandating one. This shutdown will effect all state agencies including 911, the Department of Corrections and the State Police. These agencies will operate during the shutdown but in limited capacity. This shutdown will take place on individual days from September 2009 through June 2010. The first scheduled shutdown day is September 4th, 2009.http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_wpri_ri_gov_announces_state_shutdown_days_20090824_nek<ref>

1. Motto: Hope
2. Bird: Red Hen
3. Tree: Red Maple
4. Song: "It's for Me"

Rhode Island was one of the original thirteen colonies of American. Being one of the first to declare independence from British rule, Rhode Island was the final state to ratify the United States Constitution.