Julie Lassa
Julie M. Lassa (b. October 21, 1970) is a former Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Senate, representing District 24 from 2002 to 2017.
Lassa served as Minority Caucus Leader since 2013 and Majority Caucus Leader from July 17, 2012, to 2013.[1] She served in the Wisconsin State Assembly from 1999 to 2003.
Biography
Lassa earned a B.S. in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and did graduate work at University of Wisconsin-Madison's La Follette Institute of Public Affairs.
Lassa's professional experiences include executive director of Plover Area Business Association and legislative aide.
Lassa served on the Dewey Town Board from 1993 to 1994 and is a former Chair of the Portage County Democratic Party.[2]
In 2010, Lassa made an unsuccessful run for the seventh district congressional district seat held by Dave Obey.[3]
Committee assignments
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Lassa served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Revenue, Financial Institutions, and Rural Issues |
| • Economic Development and Commerce |
| • Workforce Development, Public Works, and Military Affairs |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Lassa served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Agriculture, Small Business, and Tourism |
| • Economic Development and Local Government |
| • Financial Institutions and Rural Issues |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Lassa served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Audit |
| • Economic Development and Veterans and Military Affairs |
| • Financial Institutions and Rural Issues |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Lassa served on the following committees:
| Wisconsin committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Children and Families and Workforce Development |
| • Economic Development Committee, Chair |
| • Public Health, Human Services, and Revenue |
| • Finance |
| • Finance |
Issues
Legislative walkout
Lassa and the 13 other Democratic senators participated in a legislative walkout on February 17, 2011, in opposition to Assembly Bill 11 - a Republican-sponsored bill aimed at limiting collective bargaining rights, compensation and fringe benefits of public employees.[4] The Democratic departure left the Senate one vote shy of a quorum. Reports confirmed the senators fled to a hotel in Rockford, Illinois.[5] State police were dispatched by Governor Scott Walker (R) to retrieve the senators, but were unable to cross state lines.[6] The 14 state senators who left the state are being described as the "Badger 14" or "Fab 14."[7]
On February 22, speaking from the basement of an Illinois hotel, Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller provided the minority response to Gov. Scott Walker, saying, "The governor has the tools at his disposal to put this issue to an end. As soon as he is willing to take a compromise, we will go back to work in an instant." Miller stated that the legislators payed for the trip themselves, and that no taxpayer money was spent.[8]
Walker called on the Democratic senators to return to the state by March 1 in order to vote to restructure the state's debt. If they did not, he stated he may have to start cutting state jobs, saying:
"It’s not just a number, it’s not just a budget, it’s ultimately a real person with a real family, so I’m going to push that back as far as I can. We’ve got to have real numbers to balance the budget to avoid layoffs. My hope is those 14 state senators … realize that in the end, it’s much better off to avoid those cuts, it’s much better off to avoid the most dire consequences that will come if we don’t pass this bill."[9]
The Democratic senators said they would not return until the governor was willing to compromise on the budget-repair bill.
Democrats threatened with arrest
Republicans passed a unanimous resolution on March 3 finding the missing legislators in contempt and threatening them with arrest. It gave them until 4 p.m. to return or the sergeant-at-arms was ordered to take "any and all necessary steps, with or without force, and with or without the assistance of law enforcement, by warrant or other legal process, as he may deem necessary in order to bring that senator to the Senate chambers."[10]
The constitutionality of that resolution was unclear, however, as the Wisconsin Constitution only allows for the arrest of legislators while in session if they are suspected of committing a felony, treason, or breach of the peace. Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said the resolution was an "unreasonable abuse of police power."[11]
Sen. Jon Erpenbach provided the Democratic response, stating, "All 14 of us remain in Illinois, very strong in our convictions. Issuing arrest warrants at 4 p.m. isn't going to solve the problem. This is a debate about protection of the middle class in Wisconsin; that is what the Republicans should be focusing on."[10]
The move by Republicans came the day after they issued fines of $100 a day for not showing up at the Capitol, along with taking away parking spaces.[12] The week before Republicans also passed a rule suspending direct-deposit of paychecks. Sen. Erpenbach found a way around this by granting power of attorney to two of his aides, giving them power to, among other things, pick up his paycheck. In the end Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald mailed the check to Erpenbach.[13]
Meeting and possible compromises
On March 7, Democratic leader Sen. Mark Miller sent a letter to the governor and senate majority leader asking for a meeting near the Wisconsin-Illinois border to restart talks on the collective bargaining issue.[14] Gov. Walker responded at a press conference, calling the letter "ridiculous," and saying that several meetings between the two sides have taken place, but that Miller has stood in the way of a compromise.[15]
Sen. Chris Larson said, "Dems will return when collective bargaining is off the table. That could be soon based on the growing public opposition to the bill and the recall efforts against Republicans."[16]
On March 8, the Governor's office released an email exchange dated March 6 between Eric Schutt, Walker's deputy chief of staff, and Democratic Senators Cullen and Jauch. The exchange discusses possible compromises on the bill, including allowing unions to bargain for wages beyond inflation rates, permitting collective-bargaining on certain economic issues, allowing public workers to collectively bargain workplace safety issues, and limiting collective bargaining agreements to 2 years or less.[17]
Senate passes bill
On March 9, the Wisconsin State Senate approved Act 10, which included changes to the collective bargaining rights of public-sector workers. Republicans passed the bill by a vote of 18-1, with Sen. Dale Schultz (R) voting against it. Democrats, who had absented themselves in order to prevent the Senate from meeting its 20-member quorum, were not present to vote on the legislation.[18]
On May 26, 2011, Dane County Court Judge Maryann Sumi issued a stay against the law on the grounds that the legislative process had violated the state's open meetings law. The state Departments of Justice and Department of Administration appealed the decision to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. On June 14, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overruled the lower court's decision, stating it "exceeded its jurisdiction, invaded the legislature’s constitutional powers...and erred in enjoining the publication and further implementation of the act."[18]
Recall campaigns
In the wake of events surrounding the bill, both Democratic and Republican senators were targeted by active recall campaigns. Recall sponsors filed signatures on petitions targeting 6 Republican state senators and 3 Democratic state senators. Challenges were filed in all 9 of those campaigns, and the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board approved the six campaigns against Republicans at meetings on May 23 and May 31, and approved the three campaigns against Democrats on June 8. Democrats held onto the 30th District seat on July 19. Republicans lost two seats in the August 9 recalls, but held onto four. Two incumbent Democrats successfully retained their seats on August 16.
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2016
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Wisconsin State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 1, 2016.
Patrick Testin defeated incumbent Julie Lassa in the Wisconsin State Senate District 24 general election.[19][20]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 24 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Patrick Testin |
52.35% | 45,139 | |
| Democratic | Julie Lassa Incumbent | 47.65% | 41,091 | |
| Total Votes | 86,230 | |||
| Source: Wisconsin Elections Commission | ||||
Incumbent Julie Lassa ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Senate District 24 Democratic primary.[21][22]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 24 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Julie Lassa Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Patrick Testin ran unopposed in the Wisconsin State Senate District 24 Republican primary.[21][22]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 24 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Patrick Testin (unopposed) | |
2012
Lassa won re-election in the 2012 election for the Wisconsin State Senate, District 24 seat. She ran unopposed in the primary election and defeated Scott Noble (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[23][24]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Julie Lassa Incumbent |
56.6% | 48,677 | |
| Republican | Scott Kenneth Noble | 43.3% | 37,259 | |
| - | Scattering | 0.1% | 88 | |
| Total Votes | 86,024 | |||
2011 recall
A recall campaign against Lassa began in February following Lassa's decision to walkout of the Senate and leave the state with the rest of the Democrats over Gov. Scott Walker's Budget Repair Bill. The campaign ended on May 16, when an organizer announced that they were only able to collect about one-third of the signatures necessary.[25]
Prior to the announcement that the recall campaign had failed, the Democratic Party filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board over newspaper ads calling for the senator's recall. The ads were paid for by a group that is not registered as a PAC calling itself Citizens of District 24. Since they are not registered as such, their spending on advertising is limited to $25, but the ads cost almost $500.[26]
2010
- See also: Wisconsin State Senate elections, 2010
Lassa's seat was not up for election in 2010. Lassa ran for U.S. Congress District 7 in 2010. She defeated opponent Don Raihala in the September 14, 2010, primary. She faced Republican Sean Duffy for the seat vacated by the retiring Representative David Obey in the November 2, 2010, general election.[27] Duffy defeated Lassa.
| U.S. Congress, District 7 (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Sean Duffy (R)
|
132,551 | |||
| Julie Lassa (D) | 113,018 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Julie Lassa won re-election to the Wisconsin State Senate, District 24.[28]
Julie Lassa raised $57,06 for her campaign, while Tom Kimmet raised $2,675.[29]
| Wisconsin State Senate, District 24 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Julie Lassa (D)
|
57,985 | |||
| Tom Kimmet (R) | 27,660 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Lassa is married and has two children.[2]
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Wisconsin scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2016
In 2016, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 15.
- Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce: 2015-2016 voting record
- Legislators are scored on whether they voted for or against MMAC's position.
- National Federation of Independent Business in Wisconsin: 2016 legislative voting record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on small business issues.
- The American Conservative Union: 2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor policy.
- Wisconsin Family Action: 2015-2016 legislative scorecard
- Legislators are scored by the Wisconsin Family Action on their votes on legislation related to "marriage, family, the sanctity of human life, or religious freedom."[30]
- Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters: 2015-2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their stances on conservation issues.
- Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce: 2015-2016 voting record
- Legislators are scored on their votes on legislation WMC deemed as "most important issues for the business community."
- Wisconsin Professional Police Association: 2015-2016 report card
- Legislators are scored on their votes by the Wisconsin Professional Police Association on legislation related to Wisconsin's law enforcement community.
- Wisconsin Sierra Club: 2015-2016 scorecard
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 5 through December 31.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2014, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 14 through June 4.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 7 to December 31.
|
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2012, the Wisconsin State Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 16.
|
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a Google News search for the term "Julie + Lassa + Wisconsin + Senate"
- All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.
See also
- Wisconsin State Legislature
- Wisconsin State Senate
- Wisconsin State Senate Committees
- Wisconsin Joint Committees
- Wisconsin state legislative districts
External links
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Lassa on Facebook
- Lassa on LinkedIn
Footnotes
- ↑ Wisconsin Radio Network, "Senate leadership transferred to Democrats," July 17, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Project Vote Smart, "Biography," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin AG connection, "Rep. Black to Retire from Assembly; Lassa to Seek Obey's Seat," May 11, 2010
- ↑ Wisconsin.gov, "ASSEMBLY BILL 11," accessed February 17, 2011
- ↑ Green Bay Press Gazette, "Wisconsin Democrats flee to Clock Tower Hotel in Rockford, Ill., to block anti-union bill," February 17, 2011
- ↑ Bloomberg Businessweek, Senator: Missing Wis. lawmakers left the state, 17 Feb. 2011
- ↑ Facebook, "Fab 14," accessed May 6, 2014
- ↑ WISN, "State Sen. Minority Leader Responds to Walker," February 22, 2010
- ↑ Christian Science Monitor, "Wisconsin governor to missing senators: Come back or I'll lay off 1,500," February 28, 2011
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Wall Street Journal, "Pressure Mounts on Absent Democrats in Wisconsin, Indiana," March 3, 2011
- ↑ Wisconsin State Journal, "Senate orders arrest of missing Democrats," March 3, 2011
- ↑ My Fox Chicago, "Wisconsin GOP Slaps Missing Dems With $100 Daily Fines," March 2, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ Talking Points Memo, "AWOL Wisconsin Dem Beats The System, Gets His Paycheck Mailed To Him," March 3, 2011
- ↑ New York Times, "Wisconsin Democrats Urge New Talks on Labor Bill," March 7, 2011
- ↑ CNN, "Wisconsin gov: Democratic senator's border meeting idea 'ridiculous'," March 7, 2011
- ↑ Talking Points Memo, "Wisconsin Dems Deny WSJ Report Of Imminent Return," March 6, 2011
- ↑ CNN, "E-mails: Wisconsin governor offers concessions on budget bill," March 8, 2011
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Wisconsin State Journal, "Front pages from historic Scott Walker protests," February 11, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates on Ballot by Election - 2016 General Election - 11/8/2016," accessed November 4, 2016
- ↑ Wisconsin Elections Commission, "2016 Fall General Election Results," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidate Tracking by Office," accessed June 20, 2016
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Wisconsin Elections and Ethics Commissions, "2016 Partisan Primary," accessed September 16, 2016
- ↑ Government Accountability Board, "2012 Fall Partisan Primary," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ Government Accountability Board, "2012 Fall General Election," accessed May 5, 2014
- ↑ Gazette Xtra, “Last recall drive targeting Wis. senator fails,” May 16, 2011
- ↑ WSAU, "Lassa recall ads questioned," May 13, 2011
- ↑ Wood County, "Wisconsin Official Website," accessed September 15, 2010
- ↑ Government Accountability Board, "Wisconsin State Election Results, 2008," accessed May 6, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "2008 contributions," accessed May 6, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
- ↑ Wisconsin Family Action, "2015-2016 legislative scorecard," accessed May 31, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by ' |
Wisconsin State Senate District 24 2003–2017 |
Succeeded by Patrick Testin (R) |
