State Rep. Jim Dunn
Posted on 11/05/2007 7:14:28 PM PST by ThisLittleLightofMine
State Rep. Jim Dunn will be stripped of his committee assignments and denied travel reimbursement after the 17th District lawmaker made what even Dunn acknowledged was an "inappropriate" remark to a woman at a legislative function in the Tri-Cities last month.
"We want to have zero tolerance for our members for inappropriate comments," said House Republican leader Richard DeBolt. "We asked (Dunn) to go get sensitivity training. Until he does that, he won't be serving on any committees."
Dunn said he regretted the incident, which occurred at a dinner during a meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.
"I opened my mouth inappropriately and apologized for it," Dunn said. He said he couldn't recall exactly what he said to the woman, who was a stranger to him, but it was along the lines of "I bought you a drink because I want to take you home."
Dunn, who is married, said he was pressured to resign but refused. "I'm elected by the people," he said.
DeBolt denied that he asked Dunn to step down.
"I can't ask him to resign," he said. "My main concern was that we have the opportunity to be proactive as a caucus, to send the message that we need to respect each other."
He said the decision to take disciplinary action was made by "the entire leadership team" after members of his own caucus and committee staff members from both parties witnessed the incident and reported it to him.
"They said it was important that his travel be restricted and we agreed."
DeBolt informed Dunn by letter late Monday that he will ask House Speaker Frank Chopp to strip him of all his committee assignments and will recommend that the chief clerk of the House deny him reimbursement for travel and per-diem costs after the end of the 2008 legislative session.
"A decision about travel and per diem after the 2008 session will be made at a later date based on circumstances, such as your participation in appropriate treatment and counseling programs," he wrote.
Interesting that they didn’t make a big deal of party affiliation. Still seems like an overreaction though.
Let the wife take care of it.
I’m surprised they didn’t emphasize that he’s a Republican. Send him to sensitivity training!
Gee, if he raped her and then said "Put some ice on it" he'd be OK.
Oh sorry, that only worked for a democrat politician on his way to being president of the united slander of a'monica.
Jim Dunn is an obese idiot. He is in a conservative district, so it will remain on GOP hands if he goes.
Jim, sweetie, when you go on these political junkets, leave the Viagra at home, okay? Or at least observe the 400-mile rule. Dumba**.
Yeah, that is going to be a barrel of fun when he gets home.
What is wrong with these people and why are they in Congress?
Of course, raping a woman does not count.
Will someone PLEASE ping the Washington Pinglist!!
Score another one for Team 17...
Jim Dunn has a long, long record of malingering and legislative malpractice in the State House. His voting record is an almost unbroken string of “No” votes, and he has never to my knowledge, ever proposed a single piece of legislation of his own.
I’ll see if I can find it, but there was a letter to the editor earlier this year from a pair of High School students who were also less than impressed with Dunn, as he kept them waiting during an extended lunch, and had less than flattering remarks for the students.
Losing Jim Dunn would be a net sum gain for the Washington Republicans, and especially the 17th District. It is long past time to forcibly remove Jim Dunn from the public teat.
Hmm, lets see now. Is this more like “1984” or “Atlas Shrugged?”
Yea, the American people don’t mind rape if it is committed by the right people!
I’m glad he’s not stepping down. Keeps going like this there wouldn’t be anyone left in the GOP while the democrats would keep on cruising along, mistakes and all.
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