Document Actions
Friday: Moving Wright along
posted at 2008-03-07 13:06 | Last modified 2008-03-07 13:06
Whew...
A day without ethics hearings is like... well, let's just say I'm sure everyone involved is profoundly grateful it's over.
If you missed my story on it this morning, you can hear it here.
Reax
Wilmington's Sam Scott reports the ruling elicited mixed reactions on Wright's home turf. WECT's Kelli O'Hara says Wright still has a lot of support from his constituents.
Wright's nemesis Joe Sinsheimer was quick to congratulate everyone, including himself, in a statement issued last night:
"Good government in North Carolina must be color blind. This case was never about race as Mr. Wright's attorneys have so deceitfully alleged. This case--like the Jim Black case before it--was about political arrogance and the belief by some on Jones Street that political figures are above the law. I am pleased that my advocacy work has exposed two of North Carolina's most corrupt figures."
Read the whole release here.
The expulsion ruling is a huge step, but it won't be official until the House comes back to Raleigh to vote on it. That could take a while.
Earlier in this process, House Speaker Joe Hackney said he wanted to get this settled before the next session starts in May. But his spokesman Bill Holmes said last night there's no clear timetable yet for a special session.
One hurdle they'll have to navigate is figuring out how the session would work. They haven't expelled anyone in 128 years, so it's not like there's a precedent in the rulebook.
Would Wright be allowed to defend himself on the House floor? Would he have the right to a lawyer on the floor with him? Would HSE Chair Rick Glazier have floor counsel, too? Would the resolution come though a committee, or would it need to be a committee of the whole? Would Wright get to vote on it? You can see the problems. I've been told House staff is working on it, but it could take a while.
Then there's the issue of Wright's March 31st criminal trial. Holmes said Hackney wants to make sure Wright's rights are respected in regards to his trial, but he didn't say what that means, exactly.
It might mean that the House won't meet to vote on Wright's expulsion till his trial is over. Frankly, that might make the vote easier for some members, anyway.
Comments? Drop me a line.
& Newsletters
