House leaders said the governor would be well-advised not to complain
about the length or cost of the impeachment inquiry.
"If the governor did the honorable thing, he would have resigned and
saved the state a lot of money," said House Majority Leader James A.
Amann, D-Milford.
"It's our fault this costs money?"
Rowland has admitted that he accepted gifts from state contractors and
state employees, then lied about it.
He has refused, however, to explain how some contractors and aides
came to offer the gifts, such as improvements to his cottage on Bantam
Lake in Litchfield.
The governor initially applauded the legislature for launching the
impeachment inquiry, but his view soured after the panel issued 66
subpoenas in the past week - signaling a broad investigation of the
9-year-old Rowland administration.
Subpoenas served on the governor and first lady at the executive
residence call for the Rowlands to produce documents on every penny
earned or spent since he became governor in January 1995.
From The Hartford Courant, 3/4/04:
http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-impeach0304.artmar04,1,2930841.story?coll=hc-headlines-newsat3
Rowland Blasts Committee
Contends Impeachment Panel Is Too Costly, Unfocused, Lacking In
Standards
By MARK PAZNIOKAS And ELIZABETH HAMILTON, Courant Staff Writers
Ending weeks of public equanimity toward the House impeachment
inquiry, Gov. John G. Rowland is attacking its lack of defined
standards, its broad focus and its projected $1 million cost.
The governor's comments drew a rebuke Wednesday from the leaders of
the Democratic majority and Republican minority in the House of
Representatives.
"I think the criticism is disingenuous. The governor has made a
decision that, despite his admitted wrongdoing, he should remain in
office," said House Minority Leader Robert M. Ward, R-Branford.
"He has refused to discuss the details. The legislature is obligated
to get to the bottom of it and make a decision."
No legislative leader from either party has criticized the scope or
cost of the impeachment inquiry.
Without willing political surrogates, the Republican governor has
given himself the risky task of attacking lawmakers who will decide if
he is forced from office before his term expires in January 2007.
________________________________________________________
Another day another Republican scandal.
Harry
.
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