Connecticut has a new governor — temporarily.
Martin Looney, the Democratic president pro tempore of the state Senate from New Haven, became acting governor Saturday and will serve in the role until Thursday while Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, also Democrats, are out of state.
Lamont and his family are vacationing at their home in Maine and Bysiewicz is in New Mexico with her husband to spend personal time and attend an education policy conference.
Bysiewicz plans to return to the state Thursday and will be acting governor until Lamont returns Aug. 15.
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A Lamont spokesman said the governor will hold regular briefings via video conference with his staff, agency commissioners and other officials. In a letter, Lamont told Looney that he can be reached by cell phone or email if needed.
Article 4 of the state constitution says if the governor leaves the state, the lieutenant governor “shall exercise the powers and authority and perform the duties appertaining to the office of governor” until the governor returns. If the lieutenant governor also leaves the state, the Senate president pro tempore has the powers of the governor.
