Rowland Focuses On Transportation, Defense In Washington

By Lolita C. Baldor

WASHINGTON — Northeastern states are lobbying for nearly $48 billion in special transportation projects in the six-year federal highway bill to make up for a poor showing in the funding formula, Connecticut Gov John G. Rowland said Monday.

Casting aside his impeachment worries, Rowland immersed himself in state issues as the nation’s governors met with President Bush and Cabinet members. In Washington for the winter meeting of the National Governors Association, Rowland found a more friendly atmosphere than the one in his home state, where an ongoing federal corruption probe and legislative impeachment inquiry have been dogging him.

At a White House dinner Sunday night, Rowland said, even President Bush offered his support, telling Rowland to “hang in there.”

“He’s been a good friend,” Rowland said Monday during a break between NGA sessions. “Everyone has been pleasant and very supportive.”

Rowland admitted in December that he lied when he previously told reporters that he paid for all improvements made to his summer lakeside cottage in Litchfield. He acknowledged that some of his aides and contractors with state business gave him free gifts and renovations, but he has maintained that he did not return the favors.

Federal authorities are investigating possible bid rigging in Rowland’s administration, and a legislative committee is considering whether to recommend impeachment.

Instead of focusing on the investigation Monday, Rowland was juggling calls and meetings on the highway funding bill and talking with administration officials about the Pentagon’s decision to cancel the Comanche helicopter. The multibillion aircraft was being developed by Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky Aircraft and Boeing Aircraft, and the cancellation is a devastating blow to both Sikorsky and Bridgeport, where the new construction plant was built.

Connecticut would be hit the hardest by the proposed six-year $318 billion highway bill being considered by Congress. The plan would give the state a ten percent increase in funding each year, the lowest in the country. Other states are getting increases between 30 percent and 40 percent.

Rowland said Northeast governors floated a plan Monday that would give 11 states from Maine to Maryland, and the District of Columbia, $47.9 billion to share in earmarked funds for special transportation projects.

The special projects are usually added during negotiations between the House and Senate on the final bill. The highway bill passed the Senate, but has not passed the House.

The additional funding, Rowland said, would be used for congestion relief. The plan did not detail how the states would divide the nearly $48 billion, and Rowland said he did not know how much Connecticut would try to get.

“If we can do better in the earmarks, then we would be OK,” said Rowland, who also met with Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta.