If Wright & Calderon expelled for felonies, Democrats lose supermajority
Last edited Fri Feb 28, 2014, 03:42 PM - Edit history (1)
Democrats derail GOP attempt to expel state Sen. Roderick Wright
Wright, an Inglewood Democrat, is on a paid leave of absence and will be sentenced May 16 following his conviction on eight felony counts. The jury found Wright guilty of living outside his Inglewood district when he ran for -- and won -- his state seat in 2008 for the 25th Senate District.
Three Republicans -- Joel Anderson of Alpine, Steve Knight of Palmdale, and Andy Vidak of Hanford -- on Thursday introduced a resolution to have Wright kicked out of the Senate now. They don't think Wright should be on a leave that allows him to continue receiving his $95,291 annual salary.
State Senate President Darrell Steinberg called the expulsion attempt "political theater." He said they should be focusing on the state's drought issues instead of "a resolution that would make zero practical difference."
If Wright and Calderon leave the Legislature, Democrats would lose the supermajority that lets them act on any matter without Republican support.
