By Cynthia Needham
Journal State House Bureau

You know times are tough when a top legislative honcho is putting out news releases heralding upgraded sidewalks on one street in his hometown.

"Speaker of the House William J. Murphy is pleased to announce that new concrete sidewalks will be constructed on Providence Street in West Warwick, from Wakefield Street to Enfield Drive," the release issued last week announced. The project will be paid for though an Americans with Disabilities fund at the state Department of Transportation.

True, it is Murphy's home district, and true, it's the kind of quality-of-life improvement that constituents love.

But sidewalks?

Murphy spokesman Larry Berman reminded Political Scene that Murphy, like all lawmakers, is first and foremost a local politician. But he acknowledged the sidewalk release was a glitch -- it was only supposed to be sent to Kent County media types and instead reached a statewide media list.