Lawmakers Could Be Suspended Without Pay

SACRAMENTO (AP) — The state Senate has passed a proposed constitutional amendment permitting the Legislature to suspend members without pay.

SCA17 passed Tuesday on a 31-3 vote. Among those voting no was a Republican lawmaker who wanted to halt tax collections for the constituents of three suspended lawmakers.

Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg introduced the measure after the chamber voted to suspend the Democratic lawmakers in March. Sens. Ron Calderon and Leland Yee face federal corruption charges, while Sen. Rod Wright was convicted for lying about living in his district.

Republican Sen. Joel Anderson of Alpine has pushed for their expulsion. He blasted SCA17 as "un-American" because their constituents are taxed without representation.

The amendment would go before voters on the November 2014 ballot if two-thirds of the state Assembly approves it.

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