ROWLAND SIGNS BILLS ON RACIAL PROFILING, BONDING PROJECTS

HARTFORD, Gov. John G. Rowland signed a bill prohibiting
Connecticut police officers from pulling over minority drivers who are
not breaking any laws.

The bill, which will go into effect Oct. 1, also requires police
officers to record their observations about the race, ethnicity,
gender and age of all drivers they stop. The data will be used to
track any so-called ``racial profiling'' incidents.

``This is going to be a national piece of legislation, I hope a model
for other states to follow,'' Rowland said Monday.

Sen. Alvin Penn, a black lawmaker from Bridgeport who said he has been
a victim of racial profiling, led the effort to pass the bill and
thanked Rowland for supporting it.

``Today, the constitution of the state has an affirmation that no one
is above the law. Better yet, no one is beneath the law,'' said Penn,
a Democrat.

Also on Monday, Rowland signed bills to authorize about $3 billion in
state bonds over the next two years to build schools, revitalize the
cities, improve roads and bridges and help fund a waterfront
development in Hartford.

The Adriaen's Landing project will get $200 million to help build
include a domed stadium for the University of Connecticut football
team, a convention center, hotel and retail space. The money will not
be spent unless enough private investments are made in the project.