Md. Del. Don Dwyer Removed From Committee

A Maryland lawmaker who is serving a jail sentence on weekends for drunken boating was removed from his committee in the House of Delegates on Thursday.

Del. Don Dwyer was officially removed from the Ways and Means Committee by House Speaker Michael Busch, who said it was his job to protect the integrity of the House of Delegates.

"Del. Dwyer's actions have reflected poorly on the House and, as speaker, I feel it is important that there are consequences to those actions,'' Busch, D-Anne Arundel, said in a statement. "I hope that Del. Dwyer is finding help but we cannot allow the general public to lose confidence in the effectiveness of their leaders.'' 

Dwyer, R-Anne Arundel, said he accepted the speaker's disciplinary action.

"I want to reassure my constituents that I will continue to review every piece of legislation and remain fully informed on all issues,'' Dwyer said. "As a result I will be fully prepared to vote for or against legislation that comes before me on the House Floor.''

Dwyer can continue to vote and speak on the House floor. He was sentenced to 60 days in jail for drunkenly operating a boat in a river crash that injured seven people and for driving a car while impaired about a year later.

The judge gave him the option to serve the sentence on weekends, but Dwyer cannot attend legislative receptions where alcohol is served during the session, which began Wednesday.

Dwyer's jail sentence did not trigger automatic expulsion rules, because the charges against him are misdemeanors that do not directly involve his work as a lawmaker.

 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us