Rowland is Resigning tonight at 6pm

[Modeps]

Link

Facing a possible impeachment, Gov. John Rowland will announce at 6:00 p.m. tonight he is resigning, effective July 1st. Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell will take over leadership of the state.

"Our sources say the governor is in the process to ask local TV stations for airtime and will prepare a speech to resign from office at 6:00 p.m. tonight," Chief Political Correspondent Mark Davis reported shortly after 9:00 a.m.

The resignation would take effect at midnight, June 30th. At 12:01 a.m. on July 1st Jodi Rell would become governor.

Sources say Rowland made the decision this past weekend after talking with his wife, First Lady Patty Rowland.

Rowland, 47, a Republican easily re-elected to a third term in 2002, admitted late last year that he lied about accepting gifts and favors from friends, state contractors and state employees.

A special Committee of Inquiry has been looking into the possible impeachment of Rowland. A federal investigation is also underway.

Rowland would be the first Connecticut governor to resign under these circumstances.

The word of Rowland's impending resignation comes after a state Supreme Court ruling this past Friday that the legislative panel could compel the governor to testify.

Today was supposed to be the final day the Committee of Inquiry was to hear testimony. The governor's lawyers had said they were going to call budget director Marc Ryan to testify in the governor's defense.

Because of the impending resignation, committee co-chairman Rep. John Wayne Fox said they may now end the hearings.

"It does not make a lot of sense for the committee to do anything more," Rep. Fox told the Associated Press. "We still have an obligation under our resolution to report back to the House, but I don't think it make any sense to continue. My opinion, we ought to stop today."

The committee members went into an executive session immediately after they convened this morning. There was no word on when they would come out and make a statement about their plans.

Rowland's resignation would elevate Lt. Gov. Jodi Rell to governor. Senate President Pro Tem, Democrat Kevin Sullivan, would become the new lieutenant governor.

Rowland will make his address from the Governor's Residence on Prospect Ave. in Hartford. Rowland is expected to be surrounded by his family and fellow commissioners.

The speech is exected to last about 6 to 8 minutes.

crossposted from P&N because it's well... important!

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Ha, you beat me to it. I'm assuming that Rell is going to be running the state now? Oh boy, we're in trouble.

 

[bobbybe01]

Are there any movie stars in CT to run for govenor?

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: bobbybe01
Are there any movie stars in CT to run for govenor?

I'm sure there are, but 50 cent lives here now, so maybe he should go for it.

 

[Led Zeppelin]

Originally posted by: bobbybe01
Are there any movie stars in CT to run for govenor?

How about David Letterman, or Vince McMahon.
Actually, Baba Booey from the Howard Stern show lives in CT.

 

[badmouse]

Good news, thanx for posting.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: bobbybe01
Are there any movie stars in CT to run for govenor?

Doesn't Paul Newman live there? Westport, maybe.

 

[Argo]

I live in western ct so i don't think that affects us in any way, though.

 

[Argo]

Originally posted by: bobbybe01
Are there any movie stars in CT to run for govenor?

There are a bunch of investment bankers down in greenich/new canaan area.

 

[Carbo]

Isn't Martha Stewart from the Nutmeg State? Maybe she can nab the top spot?

 

[KarenMarie]

!wow! Tough cookie for him. Even Judical Watch was demmading it.

Does Rowland have a really old father? I seem to remember that some politician or other was crying that he would admit to stuff to save his ancient father from being harrassed and prosecuted/persecuted or some such tale.

Is this the same guy?

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: BostonRedSox
Ha, you beat me to it. I'm assuming that Rell is going to be running the state now? Oh boy, we're in trouble.

Yep, Rell is taking over...

Updated OP.