Nass wants Wood out
(MCT) Oct. 13--MADISON -- An effort to unseat Rep. Jeff Wood (I-Chippewa Falls) will begin Wednesday. Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) said in a statement he would formally introduce a resolution Wednesday to expel Wood from the Assembly because he was twice arrested in the last year on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Wood has indicated to legislative leaders he does not intend to resign, according to Nass. Wood is in a Minneapolis treatment program and unavailable for comment, an aide said this week.
The introduction of the resolution would force Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan (D-Janesville) to form a special ethics committee of six Democrats and six Republicans. Under Assembly rules, they would hold a hearing “as soon as possible” and then vote whether they thought he should be expelled.
A two-thirds vote would be required to remove Wood from office.
Wood, 40, was arrested Sept. 23 in Marathon County on suspicion of driving under the influence of anti-anxiety drugs and cold medicine. Prosecutors are reviewing whether to charge him. Wood is already fighting charges in Columbia County for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and third offense drunken driving. He was convicted of drunken driving in 1990 and 1991.
Oct 14, 2009 at 2:35 a.m.
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I have no idea what Rep Woods' political positions are, on any issue. But an elected official, democratically voted in by the people, should only be removed by outside others under the most egregious of circumstances in a true democracy. This case hardly rises to that level, particularly when citing charges that are almost 20 years old. That is the electorate's right and responsibility. This is still a democracy, not a MADDocracy!
Oct 13, 2009 at 9:55 p.m.
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I agree with mark_twain (!). This should be up to the voters of Chippewa Falls.
Oct 13, 2009 at 7:12 p.m.
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sprout- Yes, how TRUE!!
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