Rhode Island is not alone.

In Maine earlier this month, Governor John Baldacci said: “Home heating oil and gasoline prices are at record highs. Winter, just a few weeks old, has already shown its teeth. The national economy is struggling under the weight of declining home values. State revenues are not immune from the national condition and are falling short of expectations…We are forced to make hard decisions and set priorities. ‘’

In Vermont, Gov. James Douglas said: “We must seek efficiencies…stretch resources while protecting the most vulnerable; and treat precious taxpayer dollars as if we earned them ourselves…Today, I lay out a series of proposals to achieve prosperity through affordability and to rethink, revitalize and reform the way our state approaches its most pressing challenges.’’

Fresh from reelection a year ago, Carcieri told the Democrat-dominated legislature here that Rhode Island’s “ship of state,” having righted itself, was “heading in a new and exciting direction,’’ but threatened by a continuing penchant for over-spending.

At that time, he said: “This has been the most difficult budget since I took office.’’

“As in recent years, ‘’ he said then, “Rhode Island is benefiting from continued growth in revenues. However, each year our appetite to spend exceeds our resources. Every family watching tonight knows that if they’re only getting a 2% pay raise this year, they can’t spend 9% more…’’

A year ago, he also said: “The combined, two year projected excess of expenditures over revenues (is) almost $360 million…Balancing this budget will require sacrifices everywhere. We must further reform our entitlements, demand more cost-effective services from our vendors, develop new service models, and reduce our personnel costs. ‘’

Immediately following the governor’s speech, House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox, D-Providence, and Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Paiva Weed, D-Newport, will “offer the perspective of the General Assembly’s Democratic Party on the condition of the state and share their vision for Rhode Island’s future.’’

The address is expected to be broadcast live on television by NBC 10, WPRI 12, and by Capitol Television (which can be viewed on Channel 15 of both Cox Cable of Rhode Island and Full Channel Cable). It will be broadcast live on radio by WPRO 630 AM, WHJJ 920 AM and WRNI 1290 AM.