By Randal Edgar
Journal State House Bureau

The state Republican Party is getting some much-needed help in paying its full-time staff of one.

State Central Committee members learned at last week's meeting that the national Republican Party has agreed to pay for a staff member in each of the 50 states.

The move comes at a good time for Rhode Island Republicans, who had about $2,000 in the bank as of Friday, said party chairman Giovanni Cicione.

The low figure is not unusual, Cicione said.

"Our fund-raising programs are probably not as consistent as the Democrats' are," he said.

The party does not plan to let its account go to zero. Cicione said a mailing that seeks donations is in the works.