Governor nixes historian laureate post

By Fiona Condon

Providence, R.I. – Governor Don Carcieri has vetoed a bill establishing the post of Historian Laureate of Rhode Island.

He claimed that the criteria for appointment are inadequate, that the title is unnecessary and that the position puts too much value on one historian's perspective to the exclusion of others.

He also said that the governor, and not the Secretary of State, should have the power to choose who fills the post. He released a statement yesterday urging Rhode Island's representatives to support his veto.