`We Must Take Action'
Although Lyons was guarded in her comments about the closed-door discussions, some lawmakers said House Democrats were "overwhelmingly" in favor of initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor. One lawmaker said the group was 5-1 in favor of establishing an impeachment committee.
"As the night progressed, it was really turning into a landslide not only to do something but to move toward impeachment," said Rep. Michael Cardin of Tolland.
The move by House Democrats also came on a day when Rowland came under increased pressure as two Senate Republicans called on him to step down.
The resignation calls Thursday came as the second statewide poll this week reported that more than half of respondents believe Rowland should resign. The latest poll, by the University of Connecticut, also indicated that 60 percent of those surveyed were unmoved by Rowland's address Wednesday, and almost a quarter said it made them less supportive of the governor.
But the worsening polls and growing number of Republican legislators urging Rowland to resign - the total stood at five Thursday night - were far less critical to Rowland's future than the closed-door caucus of House Democrats.
Time to keep the pressure up. Call or write your Reps and Sens if you are from CT.
January 9, 2004
By CHRISTOPHER KEATING And ELIZABETH HAMILTON,Courant Staff Writers
Gov. John G. Rowland's hold on his office became even more tenuous Thursday as Democrats in the House of Representatives agreed to investigate the ethics scandal that has consumed his administration.
The decision to create a special investigative committee that could lead to Rowland's impeachment for ethical violations followed new calls for his resignation Thursday and poll results indicating that his contrite plea for public forgiveness had fallen flat Wednesday night.
House Speaker Moira K. Lyons, D-Stamford, still must make a final decision on what form the committee will take, but said her 95-member caucus decided overwhelmingly during a nearly seven-hour meeting that a response was needed to the ethical transgressions that public opinion polls show have eroded voters' trust in the governor.
"No one should prejudge the outcome," Lyons said, standing in front of the press at 11 p.m. "I am saddened that such a decision needs to be made."
"We must take action," she said.
The decision marks a stunning fall from grace for the once seemingly invincible Rowland, a popular and skilled politician who was elected three times - twice by wide margins - and who as recently as December 2001 enjoyed a 78 percent job approval rating. When measured Thursday morning, Rowland's approval rating had fallen to 29 percent, and 58 percent of those polled said the governor should resign.
Now the question is what charge will be given the committee assigned to investigate Rowland. Lyons will decide between two options: a committee with a broad mandate to investigate corruption, with an option to recommend impeachment, or a committee specifically charged with considering impeachment.
Lyons herself said the options were essentially the same.
"There is only a gray line between them," said a weary-looking Lyons, who earlier this week said the impeachment decision had consumed all her thoughts.
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