A Profile

On January 8, 2003, John G. Rowland was sworn into an historic third term as Governor of the State of Connecticut. He first took office in 1995 at age 37 and was re-elected in both 1998 and 2002. At the end of this term, he will be the longest serving Governor since Colonial times.

Governor Rowland has made responsible budgeting, economic growth and improving the quality of life for Connecticut families his highest priorities.

Governor Rowland has invested more than $2 billion to rebuild the University of Connecticut and it is now New England’s top public university. Major investments have also been made in the Connecticut State University and Community Technical College systems and enrollments are at an all-time high.

Connecticut students are leading the nation in performance, and learning in schools improved by the Governor’s school construction and renovation program. The number of pre-school opportunities has more than doubled. He has supported the creation and expansion of charter schools and magnet schools to provide more choices to students and parents.

Governor Rowland’s landmark commitment to natural resource preservation has resulted in more than 455,000 acres of open space preserved for future generations and revitalization of state parks. He has also led an aggressive clean-up and protection effort for Long Island Sound.

Governor John G. Rowland grew up in Waterbury, one of the state's largest cities, and has made unprecedented investments in cities to bring people and jobs back downtown.

The Adriaen’s Landing project, the most ambitous capitol city development project in decades, continues to progress under his leadership. New college campuses have been moved and are bringing thousands downtown in Hartford, Stamford, Bridgeport and Waterbury. New London’s waterfront is thriving, with a new global research facility and rebuilt pier. Theaters and museums in all of our major cities have been revitalized, from the Palace Theater in Waterbury to the New Britain’s Museum of American Art.

Even during the years the state enjoyed record-breaking surpluses, Governor Rowland held state spending in check, with real spending growth rates of just over two percent annually between 1995 and 2003.

Governor Rowland believes taxes should be cut whenever and wherever possible. Between 1995 and 2002, Governor Rowland cut taxes by almost $2 billion and for the first time in state history, tax rebate checks were returned to taxpayers in 1998 and again in 1999. 

In 2003, during the national economic slowdown, Governor Rowland held the line on tax increases, vetoing three budgets he felt relied to heavily upon them and not enough on spending reductions.

To spur the state’s economy and create jobs, Governor Rowland reduced the corporate tax rate and improved the state's overall business climate. The state’ economy has transitioned from one dependent on insurance and defense to one more diverse and resilient, with a burgeoning technology sector. Key growth sectors are being nurtured through his Industry Clusters program, including manufacturing, financial services, telecommunications and information, and high technology.

In 1998, Governor Rowland implemented the HUSKY Plan (HealthCare for Uninsured Kids and Youth) to provide health insurance to uninsured Connecticut children.  He has also worked to improve the state’s child protection system, more than doubling the budget for the Department of Children and Families and supporting the creation of the state’s first Child Advocate.

Governor Rowland has a long history of public service. He began in 1980 when, at age 23, he was first elected to the Connecticut State Legislature. In 1984, at age 27, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives and served 3 terms representing the Fifth Congressional District.

Governor Rowland’s family has lived in Connecticut for more than 200 years and has a 50-year tradition of public service. Governor Rowland’s father and grandfather both served as Comptroller for the City of Waterbury. His grandfather was instrumental in uncovering massive municipal corruption during the 1930’s.

Four generations of the Rowland family have owned an insurance firm, which Governor Rowland helped manage.

Governor Rowland has received many public service awards, including the Malcolm Baldridge and the Ella Grasso awards. In 2001, he received the "Excellence in Leadership" award from the Women Executives in State Government and the "Outstanding Arts Leadership" award from Americans for the Arts. He received the Jacob Javits "Excellence in Public Service" award from the Ripon Society in 1995.

In 2003, Governor Rowland was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and received their "Outstanding American Award." This award recognizes individuals who have used the disciplines of the sport to launch notable careers in other areas.

Governor Rowland serves on several key committees as an advisor to the Bush Administration. President Bush appointed him as a member of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations in December 2002 and in June 2003, he was appointed by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge to the State and Local Senior Advisory Committee of the National Homeland Security Advisory Council. In the last decade, he has served as the Chairman of the New England Governor’s Conference, three times.

Governor Rowland has lived his entire life in the Greater Waterbury area. He is a graduate of Holy Cross High School in Waterbury and Villanova University. He has also received honorary degrees from the University of New Haven, the University of Hartford, Teikyo Post University and was twice a visiting Chubb Fellow at Yale University.

Governor Rowland and his wife, Patty, reside in the Governor’s Residence in Hartford. They have five children between them: Kirsten, Ryan, Robert John, Scott and Julianne.