President Trump pardons former Gov. John G. Rowland – 'wonderful final resolution'
Twice-convicted Republican Gov. John G. Rowland has been pardoned by President Donald Trump, according to multiple media reports. .
Rowland's possible pardon had been rumored in political circles recently, but it did not become official until Wednesday. CNN, The Hill, and other outlets reported the pardon online.
In an email to The Courant, Rowland wrote : 'I am deeply humbled and appreciative. I have been blessed with a wonderful family and friends that have been through a great deal over the years. This is a wonderful final resolution.'
Word spread quickly late Wednesday afternoon at the state Capitol in Hartford, where longtime Rowland loyalists and members of his administration have since become lobbyists. Various officials declined to comment.
Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
11 minutes ago
- Newsweek
More Property Tax Relief Coming For Texans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas lawmakers have approved a substantial package of property tax cuts for homeowners and businesses, sending the measures to Governor Greg Abbott and placing the final decision in the hands of voters this November. The bills increase homestead exemptions and expand business tax relief. Newsweek contacted Abbott for comment on Friday outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters The move reflects mounting political and economic pressure to address rising property taxes, which fund Texas schools and local governments but have strained homeowners as property values have surged. The expanded relief plan comes amid a broader national debate, as Republican-led states consider sweeping reductions or even elimination of property taxes, raising critical questions about funding for public services and state budgets. What's in the New Texas Property Tax Bill? The property tax cuts were approved by the Texas Senate on Thursday having already been approved by the House. Senate Bill 4 proposes raising the homestead exemption—the value of a primary residence shielded from local school taxes—from $100,000 to $140,000 for most homeowners. Separately under Senate Bill 23 seniors and individuals with disabilities would see this exemption rise to $200,000, meaning homeowners with values at or below this threshold will pay no school property taxes. In a separate measure expanded exemptions for business-owned properties are also included, lifting the threshold from $2,500 to $125,000. This measure substantially reduces taxable value on business inventory and equipment. However to pass into law the bills must be approved by Abbott and by Texas voters in November. A Luxury mansion pictured in River Oaks, Houston, Texas in 2023. A Luxury mansion pictured in River Oaks, Houston, Texas in 2023. Artistic Operations/GETTY State Spending and Fiscal Concerns To fund both new and existing relief, Texas will spend an estimated $51 billion over the next two years, representing roughly one-quarter of the state's overall budget according to the Houston Chronicle. The state must reimburse school districts for lost local revenue, while cities and counties may seek to mitigate lost income by adjusting tax rates or budgets. Some lawmakers, citing concerns about future economic downturns, have questioned the long-term sustainability of the growing financial commitment. No Direct Relief for Renters None of the proposals advancing to the ballot provide direct tax relief for renters—about 12 million people in Texas, many of whom are considered cost-burdened, meaning they spent at least 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities. The Broader National Movement Texas is not alone in this push. States including Florida, Illinois, Kansas, and Pennsylvania are debating plans to eliminate property tax entirely, with varying approaches and uncertain futures. The campaign responds to rising home values and the financial pressure they impose, particularly on older Americans. However, some experts caution that eliminating or sharply reducing property taxes could compromise essential funding for education, healthcare, and disaster response. What People Are Saying Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, at a press conference, said, "That's $1 of every $4 in the state budget," describing the Senate's commitment to Texas homeowners. State Senator Paul Bettencourt, the bill's author, said, "There's no doubt in my mind that we can maintain our constitutional obligation for these homestead exemptions." State Senator Nathan Johnson, a Dallas Democrat, said, "And a millionaire retiree is getting a $500 extra tax break, and you as a renter are getting nothing," as the sole vote against the homestead exemption for seniors, calling the policy "fiscally reckless." What Happens Next Abbott is expected to sign the new measures. Texas voters will decide on the expanded exemptions at the polls in November. If approved, new exemptions will take effect for the next tax year.
The Hill
24 minutes ago
- The Hill
GOP runs into voter buzzsaw of criticism on Trump's ‘big, beautiful bill'
Fresh off a huge victory in passing their 'big, beautiful bill' through the House, Republican lawmakers are finding that President Trump's agenda is a much tougher sell at home. In a series of contentious town halls, rank-and-file Republicans seeking to promote the virtues of the massive domestic policy package have run into a buzzsaw of criticism from constituents leery that the legislation will do more harm than good. Some of the critics are voicing concerns that the proposal cuts too deeply into federal programs that benefit Americans across party lines. Others are griping that the package piles trillions of dollars onto federal deficits, breaking an early promise from GOP leaders that the bill would help bring budgets closer to balance. The pushback not only highlights the headaches facing Republican leaders battling to get Trump's domestic agenda to the president's desk this summer, but also forecasts the political challenges facing the GOP as it fights to keep control of the House in next year's midterms in the face of persistent attacks from Democrats, who like their odds of flipping the chamber and are vowing to make the 'big, beautiful bill' a central piece of their pitch to anxious voters. Those tensions were all on full display in recent days in parts of the Midwest, where a pair of lawmakers staged town halls — a strategy GOP leaders have cautioned against — and got an earful from voters furious over the legislation. In Nebraska, Rep. Mike Flood (R) faced a tsunami of misgivings about his vote in favor of the 'big, beautiful bill,' with voters asking about Medicaid changes; cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as food stamps; and how the package would pile on to the federal deficit. 'How do you justify extending the 2017 temporary tax cuts and offsetting that federal loss by cutting Medicaid and SNAP benefits — tax cuts [that are] expected to add $5 trillion to [the] deficit?' one participant asked. One of the most viral moments from the event, however, came in response to a question about a small provision in the package that seeks to restrict federal judges' ability to hold government officials in contempt when they violate a court order. The language — a small paragraph in the 1,000-plus-page bill — flew largely under the radar ahead of the vote. Asked about why he supported a bill with those terms, Flood said it was 'unknown' to him when he cast his vote — a signal that he did not read the full bill before formally weighing in on the matter. 'I am not going to hide the truth: This provision was unknown to me when I voted for that bill,' Flood said, prompting the crowd to break out in shouts. 'And when I found out that provision was in the bill, I immediately reached out to my Senate counterparts and told them of my concern.' In Iowa, GOP Rep. Ashley Hinson encountered a similarly tough crowd, which erupted into a chorus of boos when the third-term Republican hailed the legislation as 'a generational investment' in American prosperity. 'I can't believe you would boo tax relief for working Americans,' she responded. And in Colorado, members of the state's Republican delegation held a press conference to tout the bill, only to be shouted over by protesters throughout their remarks, Colorado Public Radio reported. It's unclear how many attendees of the GOP town halls are Republicans, and how many are Democrats who opposed the legislation from the start. Outside liberal groups like Indivisible have encouraged their members to attend such events, and the Nebraska Democratic Party urged supporters to 'pack' Flood's recent town hall in Seward. Still, Flood made a point to shake everyone's hand at the outset of the event, and he rejected the accusations from many in his party — including some GOP leaders — that Democrats are paying people to heckle Republicans in public settings. 'I don't think one of you is here because you're getting paid,' Flood said. 'I don't think one of you is here because you were trucked in.' The heat Republicans are facing is unlikely to subside any time soon. The Senate is expected to make changes to the bill in the coming weeks, then send the package back to the House for a final stamp of approval, forcing GOP lawmakers to vote once again on the contentious provisions that could spark a new round of criticism back home. Conservative Senate Republicans are pushing for steeper spending cuts — Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), for example has said he wants federal spending to roll back to 2019 levels — while moderates are warning against deep slashes. Medicaid is also poised to be the subject of debate in the upper chamber, with moderate Republicans — along with conservative Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) — saying they will not support a bill that makes cuts to the social safety net program. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), for his part, has urged Senate Republicans — both privately and publicly — to make minimal changes, citing the 'very delicate equilibrium' he achieved within his conference to get the package over the finish line. Trump, however, has given the upper chamber the green light to make whatever tweaks they wish, which could set up another politically prickly vote for House Republicans. 'I want the Senate and the senators to make the changes they want. It will go back to the House and we'll see if we can get them,' Trump said last weekend. 'In some cases, the changes may be something I'd agree with, to be honest.' 'I think it's going to get there,' he added of the package. 'I think they are going to have changes. Some will be minor, some will be fairly significant.' The contentious town halls are far from a new scene for House Republicans. Since Trump took office, numerous GOP lawmakers across the country have faced crowds hostile to Trump's boundary-busting mass deportations, blanket pardons for loyalists, and other actions that have defined the early months of his second term. The events grew so extensive — and tense — that House GOP leaders in March urged their members to avoid in-person town halls and instead host call-in and livestream conversations to avoid the chaotic confrontations. The recent protests have been unique, however, in that the lawmakers have become the target based on their votes in favor of Trump's specific policy agenda. 'I was also proud to vote for President Trump's one big, beautiful bill last week,' Hinson said at the beginning of her town hall, prompting boos from the audience. 'I'm here to clear up a lot of the misinformation that's out here today' — she added, prompting laughs — 'because this bill is about securing our borders, this bill is about providing continued tax relief for working Americans and returning out country to prosperity.' Democrats, meanwhile, are hoping to capitalize on both the internal GOP divisions surrounding the debate, and the unpopularity of the more controversial provisions of legislation, like the Medicaid and SNAP cuts, which they're hoping will backfire on Republicans in the midterms. 'Now that vulnerable Republicans are on the record voting for it, this betrayal of the American people will cost them their jobs in the midterms and Republicans the House Majority come 2026,' Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), head of the Democrats' campaign arm, said after the House vote.
Miami Herald
26 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
John Thrasher, former FSU president and Florida House speaker, dies at 81
John Thrasher, the former president of Florida State University and a longtime state lawmaker, died Friday morning, his family said in a statement. He was 81. Thrasher had been battling cancer before his death. 'The family would like to thank everyone for their well wishes, visits, and prayers during the last month and express their deep gratitude for the doctors and nurses who cared for him at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Moffitt Cancer Center, Orlando Health, and Cornerstone Hospice‚' Sarah Bascom, a spokesperson for Thrasher's family, said in a statement. Thrasher will be buried in a private ceremony in Orange Park, Florida, and there will be a public celebration at Florida State University's Ruby Diamond Hall on Aug. 19, according to the statement. Thrasher, a longtime Republican, led Florida State University as president for about six years before retiring in 2021. In Tallahassee, Thrasher served in the Florida House from 1992 to 2000, the last two years as House speaker. He also previously spent five years in the Florida Senate. Gov. Ron DeSantis said on social media that he was sad to learn of Thrasher's death, saying he 'served the state well.' 'John lived a remarkable life — and he made a big difference in the lives of so many in our state,' DeSantis said. This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
