Sen. Lassa (WI): Compromise on budget repair bill could come soon

[undeterred]

Despite the rhetoric that continues to swirl around Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal, state Sen. Julie Lassa, D-Stevens Point, said she is hopeful that she and fellow out-of-state Senate Democrats are close to a deal with their Republican counterparts.

Lassa and the rest of the state Senate's 14 Democrats have been in Illinois for more than a week. The lawmakers left Wisconsin on Feb. 17 in an effort to deny Senate Republicans the quorum needed to pass the budget bill, which would strip most public workers of their collective bargaining rights.

Lassa said Friday that she and fellow Senate Democrats recently have been in discussions with Senate Republicans who also have concerns with elements of the bill, and stated those discussions soon could lead to an agreement. "We have had some good developments. The lines of communication are clearly open. We have told Senate Republicans that if they strip out some of the policy items, such as the collective bargaining (item) and the changes to SeniorCare and BadgerCare ... we could be there within hours," she said. "Things are at a really critical point in time, and I am really hopeful that we will have a breakthrough within the next few days."

In addition to Walker's repeated calls for the senators to return to Madison, editorial boards at papers in Racine, Madison, Green Bay, Milwaukee and Appleton have published columns this week calling on the self-exiled lawmakers to return.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110226/WDH0101/102260465/Sen-Julie-Lassa-Compromise-on-budget-repair-bill-could-come-soon

Julie Lassa ran for Dave Obey's Congressional seat in November but lost; she is 6 months pregnant.

[HereSince1628]

1. A few important points in there...thru her staff she is still submitting bills

so she can argue that while she is not appearing on the floor of the Senate she is indeed doing the work of the people who elected her. There's a talking point that can be used against those who simply say the WI 14 are AWOL and not doing their jobs. It might be too subtle for tbaggers but it sure will shore up support of those leaning in support of the state workers unions.

As Lassa points out the bill is an attack on SeniorCare and BadgerCare. Many people think the hateful bill is only about union workers, it's not.

[undeterred]

2. And the 14 are communicating and negotiating with those Republicans

who are willing to negotiate- which does not include the Governor.

[Tansy_Gold]

3. I no longer trust any puke any further than I can throw 'em.

Unless they go on public record with their "compromise," I won't believe 'em. And unless they promise to resign if they renege on their "compromise," I won't believe 'em.

Hell, I'm not sure I'd believe 'em even then. I think the only thing I'd believe is if they resigned and put a Dem in their place.


Seriously, I fucking hate pukes.



TG

[HereSince1628]

4. Yes,

and that might suggest that the situation isn't as deadlocked as it seems. I would hope the ice is breaking. She mentions republicans in the plural. That's hopeful.

But, I'm not sure it provides much new to talk about. Regarding working with the r's her comment was nonspecific and seemed to blend into the group's general position as stated by Erpenbach for days.

[dragonlady]

5. They should demand to vote by phone

on the compromise bill, and have it signed by the guy who sits in the governor's office, before they come home.

[HereSince1628]

6. They should at least demand that the new bill be initiated in the Assembly

And that the original bill be formally ruled void due to the irregularity with the vote.

That would leave only one bill standing and that bill would have the correct compromise language in it.

[dragonlady]

7. Excellent idea! n/t

[quiller4]

8. phone voting prohibited by Wi constitution. n/t

[dragonlady]

9. Could you point us to the authority for that?

When Sen. Erpenbach was on the conference call with the subcommittee of the Senate and was denied having his vote counted, he pointed out that the chair had voted by phone numerous times when she was out of town.