Governor Carcieri is making the rounds of radio talkshows today with a don't panic, stay-the-course message for listeners concerned about the confluence of scary state and national economic news, including a 15-year high in the state's jobless rate.

"We are looking at a number of things that we might do'' to lower the unemployment rate he said during one extended on-air commentary. "We are trying to see if we can accelerate some infrastructure projects. We are looking at several things to see if we can do something to help the unemployment issue and put people to work.''

"We are limited in what we can do at the state level right now...but we are going to pursue all of those avenues,'' he said.

In response to a request for more specifics about the potential role of state government in putting more people to work, spokeswoman Amy Kempe said:"As the Governor indicated on the radio, he is looking at a number of things right now and will pursue all avenues. It is premature to talk specifics, and any initiatives will be announced appropriately and accordingly.''
When asked who had suggested that Republican Carcieri take to the airwaves with a soothing message, aimed at dissuading people from "panicking,'' Kempe said: "There were no outside requests for the Governor to discuss the economy. It was at his own urging and choice. As you know, the economy, locally and nationally, is unstable, and the Governor, with his great understanding of business and economy, wanted to reassure Rhode Islanders during this uncertain time.''

He began the work day on the WHJJ Helen Glover Show and then at 9:39, placed a call to WPRO's John DePetro. Later today, his schedule includes a "call-in'' to a second WPRO host, Dan Yorke.

Remarking on the domino-like fallout on Wall Street, and the closer to home the close out of a major investment fund run by Putnam Investments, he said: "The problem right now is that government [needs] to reassure people that we will get our arms around this, alright, and they should not be panicking because...if people get all wound up that, you know, somehow we've got to get our money, we've got to get our money and start driving these things down, that has a ripple effect.''