Caucus Objects to Impeachment Delay
Senate Resolution 3 receives three committee referrals

Juneau - Members of the Senate Republican Caucus objected today to action that will delay impeachment proceedings against a University of Alaska Regent indicted on multiple federal charges of conspiracy, theft, fraud and money laundering.

Senate Resolution 3, introduced by Sen. Tom Wagoner, R-Kenai, authorizes the Alaska State House to begin an impeachment trial to remove Hayes from the Board of Regents. Senate President Lyda Green referred the resolution to three committees: Health, Education & Social Services; State Affairs; and Judiciary. Members of the Senate Republican Caucus believe the resolution should be referred only to the Judiciary Committee.

“I think if we refer this bill to three committees, we are ducking our responsibility,”

Sen. Wagoner said. “I respect Mr. Hayes and I respect his rights. But there is proof that he has misused the university seal and has not had a stellar record of attendance since the start of 2006. These things should be addressed by this body, and addressed quickly.”

“This is not a complicated resolution. I want people to understand that I brought this resolution forward because the attorney general has told the governor that she did not have the power to remove Mr. Hayes from his board of regents seat. Since we are the body that confirmed Mr. Hayes to the board of regents, it’s our responsibility to introduce the resolution on the impeachment,” Sen. Wagoner said.

“This resolution does not require consideration by committees that oversee health and social services or any of the departments under the purview of State Affairs,” said Senate Minority Leader Gene Therriault, R-North Pole. “We want to make clear, we are not attempting to convict Mr. Hayes on the charges brought against him by the Department of Justice - that’s an issue for the DOJ to decide, and requires a much higher standard of proof. What we are attempting to do is determine if he should be removed from the board for his misuse of the university seal and absences.”

“Our legislative counsel has advised us that delegates to the Alaska constitutional convention expected the Senate to perform a function equal to that of a grand jury when considering a motion for impeachment,” Therriault said. “This is a very difficult situation, but as legislators we can’t run and hide from our constitutional responsibility to investigate whether impeachment is, in fact, warranted.”

Audio actualities from Senators Tom Wagoner and Gene Therriault can be downloaded below:
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/wagoner2007022601a.mp3
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/wagoner2007022602a.mp3
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007022601a.mp3
http://www.aksenateminority.com/media/25/therriault2007022602a.mp3