Legislative Leaders Reach

No Resolution On Rowland

By Diane Scarponi

Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) _ Legislative leaders met twice this week but did not reach an agreement on what to do in the wake of Gov. John G. Rowland’s admissions he took gifts from state employees and a politically connected contractor.

Democratic and Republican leaders said they only agreed to keep on talking after Christmas.

They refused to discuss exactly what was said in a conference call Sunday and a meeting at the Capitol Monday morning.

“I don’t think it serves any purpose to give details of that discussion, other than we would continue to keep communicating with each other,” said Senate Minority Leader Louis DeLuca, R-Woodbury.

Four Democratic leaders who control both houses of the legislature said in a joint statement that they “share a responsibility to act with fairness and deliberation” and would reflect on Rowland’s situation over the holiday break.

But the break does not lessen “our deep dismay at the disgrace brought upon the highest office in state government or our shared sense that the situation cannot continue as it is into the new year,” they said.

The statement was signed by House Speaker Moira Lyons of Stamford, Senate President Pro Tempore Kevin Sullivan of West Hartford, House Majority Leader Jim Amann of Milford and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney of New Haven.

The legislature has several options. They could start impeachment proceedings; hold a Judiciary Committee hearing, which would include the subpoenaing of witnesses; or they could pressure Rowland to step down.

No Democratic leader in the legislature has called for Rowland to be impeached, but some rank-and-file lawmakers have.

The chairman of the state Democratic Party, George Jepsen, said December 21 that Rowland should resign.

Amann said his patience is wearing thin. He has asked for a meeting with Rowland and the other legislative leaders for a frank talk about what has happened and whether any other bombshells are likely to drop.

Connecticut members of Congress also have said they want to meet with Rowland.

The governor said Monday that members of Congress will be traveling until later next month. He said he had not heard of any proposal to meet with legislative leaders.

Few Republicans have been rushing to Rowland’s defense. State Republican Party Chairman Herb Shepardson said Monday he is standing by Rowland.

House Minority Leader Robert Ward said Monday he was deeply disappointed and saddened by Rowland’s actions, but he said no serious action should be taken without careful thought.

“To ask for the resignation of someone who has been elected by the will of the people is an extraordinary measure and is not appropriate at this time,” said Ward, of North Branford.

Leaders from both parties also said they want to act on the Rowland issue in a nonpartisan manner.

“We don’t want to have this turn into another Starr versus Bill Clinton,” said Amann, referring to the independent counsel investigation that turned up the Monica Lewinsky affair.

One Democrat stuck up for Rowland Monday. Michael Jarjura, the mayor of Rowland’s hometown of Waterbury, urged people not to rush to judgment about Rowland.

“I have said it before, and I’ll say it again: ‘This is one of the greatest, if not the greatest governor, I believe the state of Connecticut has ever had,’”Jarjura said.

Rowland, who appeared with Jarjura at an event in Waterbury Monday, thanked the mayor for his support.

“I guess the only thing I would say after that is that these are the moments and times when you find out who you’re friends are as well, and I have certainly have,” Rowland said.

Five Connecticut newspapers have called on Rowland to resign: the Journal Inquirer of Manchester, The Day of New London, The Herald of New Britain, the Chronicle of Willimantic and The Hartford Courant.