MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - A special state Assembly panel will meet a week from Tuesday to hear from the man who wants to expel Representative Jeff Wood. Republican Steve Nass of Whitewater will testify about the resolution he introduced late last year. He said the independent from Chippewa Falls brought disrepute on the Legislature, after he was arrested 3 times for driving under the influence since December of 2008. The 6 member panel will make a recommendation to the full Assembly about Wood’s fate.
He told the panel last week that he’s guilty of driving drunk in Columbia County – but he’s not guilty of charges that he later drove under the influence of medicines in Marathon and Monroe counties. The panel was hoping Nass would testify. But he said he stayed away because he wasn’t invited – he was tending to family matters at the time – and he thought his presence would create a, “3 ring circus.” But the panel members said they have questions for Nass, and Wood and his attorney have the right to cross-examine him. Nass has accused Democrats on the committee of stalling, says they can get Wood’s vote on matters pending before the Assembly. Wood says he won’t run for re-election this fall, but he refuses to quit before then.
