Senator Kissel Praises Incoming Governor Rell for Selection of Ethics Counsel

State Senator John A. Kissel, R-Enfield, today praised Lt. Governor M. Jodi Rell for her decision to create a position of Special Counsel for Ethics Compliance for the Executive Branch of the State of Connecticut. According to Sen. Kissel, the hiring of Rachel S. Rubin, a leading authority on ethics in government, is a significant first step in restoring the public trust in state government.

“Everyone is looking to Governor Rell right now to guide us away from the controversy that has plagued our state over the past six months. One way to do that is to make sure that those who work in the executive branch understand our state’s ethics laws and that violations of these laws will not be tolerated under any circumstance,” said Sen. Kissel, who serves as Ranking Member of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee.

Sen. Kissel, who was the first Republican Senator to call for Governor Rowland’s resignation last winter, says he is confident that through this appointment those who work and serve in the Governor’s office and state agencies will be better informed of Connecticut’s ethics laws and regulations. “I think this sends a clear message,” said Sen. Kissel. “When it comes to providing recommendations and guidance regarding government ethics there are few people, if any, more respected than Rachel Rubin. Her work before the Legislative Committee of Inquiry is just one example of her expertise regarding the state’s ethics code.”
Sen. Kissel says he looks forward to working with Attorney Rubin through his position on the Judiciary Committee and said that soon to be Governor Rell has made a wise choice in one of her first decisions as Connecticut’s chief executive. “This is exactly what we need right now. This is a smart way to begin to restore public trust in state government,” said Sen. Kissel.