PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — It's a tale of two trees in Rhode Island as the governor prepares to light the state's "holiday" tree and a lawmaker plans to light a "Christmas" tree nearby.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY'-fee) is scheduled to preside over the state's holiday tree lighting Tuesday evening. The event will also feature Santa Claus and a specially decorated tree honoring people serving in the military.
An hour later, state Republican Rep. Doreen Costa intends to light a Christmas tree outside her legislative office.
Costa says Chafee is taking political correctness too far by not calling the Statehouse tree a "Christmas" tree.
Chafee, an independent, says the word "holiday" reflects Rhode Island's origins as a haven for religious diversity.
Previous governors have also used the term to describe past Statehouse trees.
