Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, appointed members to a committee Tuesday that will review the possible expulsion of Rep. Jeffrey Wood, I-Chippewa Falls.
The committee, chaired by Rep. Mary Hubler, D-Rice Lake, will review the possible removal of Wood from the state Assembly for conduct “unbecoming of a legislator” following Wood’s recent arrest on Oct. 22 for suspicion of operating while under the influence, his fifth OWI arrest.
Sheridan invited every Democrat in the Assembly to apply for the committee and worked closely with Assembly Minority Leader Jeff Fitzgerald, R-Horicon, on the Republican appointments, according to Sheridan spokesperson Rebekah Sweeney.
“The members from our side certainly have some legal knowledge and experience and some institutional knowledge of the State Assembly,” Sweeney said.
This is the first time this special committee has been organized in the history of the Legislature, according to Hubler.
“The rule is only 20 years old, and this is a whole new process that has never happened before,” Hubler said. “I’m meeting tomorrow with the legislative counsel of attorneys because we are going to be setting precedent for how this process will work in the future.”
She added because Wood is currently receiving treatment and committee rules require him to be present, plans for meetings revolve around his availability.
Gundrum said the time frame for how long the entire committee process will take is still uncertain.
“We’re still trying to figure [the timeline] out, and I’ve put out an effort to contact Democrat members to see if we can get together soon to figure out a process for moving forward,” said committee member Rep. Mark Gundrum, R-New Berlin.
Other committee members include Rep. Tony Staskunas, D-West Allis; Rep. Gary Hebl, D-Sun Prairie; Rep. Rich Zipperer, R-Pewaukee; and Rep. Joan Ballweg, R-Markesan.
The committee will hold public meetings to consider the matter and ultimately present its findings and recommendations to the full Assembly. If the expulsion measure finally comes to a vote, two-thirds vote of the Assembly is necessary to expel Wood from office.
