The 2nd District congressman and former state representative from Stonington stopped short of calling for Rowland's resignation, but said the governor should consider stepping down if any more scandals arise involving his administration.

Simmons chastised Rowland in a lengthy statement not just for the controversy tied to the governor's summer cottage, but for a string of ethical and legal lapses that have plagued the administration.

"As a citizen of the state of Connecticut, I am distressed at the revelations in the media regarding my governor, John Rowland," Simmons said. "...The issue before us does not involve policies. It involves the personal integrity of the governor and his capacity to govern."

While Simmons' Republican colleagues in Congress, U.S. Reps. Nancy L. Johnson and Christopher Shays, have expressed concern over Rowland's admission that he accepted and initially failed to disclose thousands of dollars of improvements to the cottage, they also have rallied to his side and said Rowland should not resign.

"All of us in public life know the perils of publicity," Simmons said. "But most of us also know that hot tubs and heating systems are not routine gifts from "friends' -- especially if these friends work for or do business with the state."

The congressman said he was equally disappointed with the way Rowland has reacted to questions about these and other gifts.

"Of equal concern is the attitude displayed by the governor, that somehow these problems have been caused by his political enemies and the media," Simmons said.

Rowland chief of staff Dean C. Pagani responded this morning that "there's no one who is more apologetic about recent events than the governor himself. He has revealed all he knows about his cottage. He realizes the mistakes he's made."

Pagani added that the governor has asked the public for forgiveness and that he is prepared to work hard to win back its trust, and the trust of Simmons and his other supporters. "He realizes this is one step on what will be a long road," Pagani said.

The governor has said no one who provided a gift received a benefit in return, adding he has cooperated fully with a federal probe into contracts awarded by his administration.

Simmons said that while the authorities will determine whether Rowland or anyone else broke the law, "as citizens, we have the right to ask questions and deserve to have these questions answered fully and honestly. Failure to do so creates the appearance of impropriety, which undermines public confidence in government. This degrades our democracy."

Simmons, who locked horns with Rowland in late 1998 when he voted against the governor's proposal to build a Hartford football stadium for the New England Patriots, said the governor has helped Connecticut by lowering taxes, creating jobs, preserving open space, and investing funds to rebuild public colleges and universities.

But the two-term congressman said the cottage scandal is only the latest in a series of controversies tied to Rowland.

Rowland was fined $9,000 by the state Ethics Commission this year for having stayed for free or at reduced rates in vacation homes tied to the New Britain-based Tomasso construction family and a wealthy developer friend.

In March, Rowland's former deputy chief of staff, Lawrence E. Alibozek, pleaded guilty in federal court to taking bribes in exchange for steering state contracts.

Also this year, the governor was ordered to make $6,000 in payments to the general fund for improper use of a state Republican Party credit card.

And while Rowland has said he was not involved in discussions with now-bankrupt Enron Corp. about any business involving the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority, emails from Enron officials contradict Rowland's claim.

These issues and the cottage scandal show "a disturbing pattern of lapses, omissions, and a lack of candor over time that can no longer be ignored," Simmons said.

The congressman added that he hopes there is nothing more to be revealed about the cottage scandal. "If there is more to be revealed, I urge it be done now."

"If there is anything more that blurs the line between the public good and private gain, or rises to the level of impeachable offenses, let's have the courage to consider resignation, to spare the state and its citizens the misery of a divisive, protracted, and demoralizing inquiry," Simmons said.

Shays said this week that Rowland has "harmed his capacity to lead the state," but should not resign or be impeached.

Johnson said "the allegations are serious. The governor's admissions are serious. Both need to be addressed. It's a very sad and troubling situation."

Johnson also said that authorities need to "evaluate the allegations and separate fact from illusion" before any further steps are taken.

This story includes Associated Press reporting.