Sen. Lassa: 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. Despite the political fray playing out over the budget bill, Lassa said she continues to work on other responsibilities, including introducing four job creation bills Thursday.

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

I hope this puts to rest the idea that the 14 Dem Senators were vacationing in Illinois. :patriot:

[goddess40]

1. only the teabaggers believe they are vacationing

I worry that the Reps will lie to get them to come back and then vote against the people of Wisconsin anyway

[yourout]

2. I would want it in writing before crossing the state line. I don't trust Republicans as far...

as I can throw them.

[dragonlady]

4. As I wrote on Undeterred's other post

they should demand to vote by phone and have the (governor) sign the bill before they set foot back in Wisconsin again.

[ewagner]

3. Atta Girl Julie!

I'm proud to say she's my State Senator and I'm proud of her.

If they can pull off a compromise, it will be a miracle and they will return to Madison with a huge, joyous welcome.

caveat: be precise about your words and don't trust Scotty...he's a snake

[AleksS]

5. That caveat is the important thing

That caveat is so important to rememeber. We had a feeling before, but with the Walkergate tape, now we know he's willing to stoop to lies and dirty tricks to ram this bill through. No matter what the R's tell the 14, they better have some darn good way of assuring they're telling the truth.

Once the 14 show up, (or even any 1 of the 14) what's to stop Walker and the R's from saying "Psych! We sure fooled you! Budget-repair-bill-hadokken!"

What gurantee against trickery could the R's offer?

[sybylla]

8. They need to vote this thing out of the Assembly the exact same bill the Senate will vote on

or all their provisions will go for naught in committee afterwards.

Until the Assembly bill is fixed, they'd better stay out.

[murielm99]

6. Don't trust them.

Look at how the vote in the assembly was handled. It was pushed so quickly, many Democrats were not there in time to vote on it.

Scottie lies. The Democrats will look foolish if they are duped, and they will dash the hopes of people all over the world.

[RBInMaine]

7. Will Walker sign on to a compromise? Will the Assembly? BE CAREFUL.

[yourout]

10. I hope they stay out till the assembly passes the compromised bill.

Till then......stay out of Dodge.

[TxVietVet]

9. The conservanazis are trying to pull a fast one.

Once the Dems show up, I'm willing to be they will shove the conservanazi bill through and laugh at the Dems.

The conservanazis are low-life kochsuckers.