Bill Essayli calls attention to drunk pols

Assemblyman Bill Essayli, R-Riverside, is calling attention to the very real problem of drunk driving by members of the California Legislature. Essayli has introduced Resolution 51 to deny members of the Assembly access to “pool vehicles” provided for free to lawmakers, if they are arrested and charged for driving under the influence.

“Last year, over 1,000 Californians died as a result of drunk drivers. When I was a prosecutor, I fought to keep our roads safe by prosecuting and convicting drunk drivers,” said Essayli in a statement. “Now as a member of the Assembly, I am troubled by recent incidents of legislators and candidates drinking and driving. Public officials must be held to the highest standards given the public trust placed in us, which is why I've introduced House Resolution 51.”

Essayli's proposal comes after the high-profile arrest of Democratic state Sen. Dave Min of Irvine for driving under the influence on May 2 in Sacramento.

Min, who is running for Congress to fill the seat Rep. Katie Porter plans to vacate, was arrested near the state Capitol building in a vehicle owned by the Senate Rules Committee.

Min was reportedly driving at twice the legal limit and drove through red lights.

“0.15 man, I couldn't even believe that s---, man. How many drinks is that usually?” asked Min of the arresting officer.

Two months later, Riverside Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes was arrested for driving under the influence. Remarkably, this was Cervantes' second arrest for driving under the influence.

Just a few weeks prior, Cervantes successfully had her 2015 conviction for driving under the influence dismissed after telling the court, “Each day I carry remorse and promise to never repeat those actions.”

Cervantes, a Democrat who is running for the California Assembly seat currently held by her sister, Sabrina, has since faced calls by community members to resign from her city council seat.

Indeed, both Min and Cervantes are unfit for higher office. Both have reportedly sought help for their problems, which is laudable. But there's no reason for them to continue their campaigns for Congress or Assembly.

Essayli's effort brings to mind the 2015 decision of then-Senate President Kevin de León establishing a ride serving for members of the state Senate after a string of arrests of lawmakers for driving under the influence.

Then-Sens. Ben Hueso and Roy Ashburn and then-Assemblymen Roger Hernández and Martin Garrick were all arrested in a matter of years.

Sacramento lawmakers should be held to the highest standard. Min and Cervantes are just the latest lawmakers to show they cannot behave.

Sacrame■to lawmakers should be held to the highest sta■dard.