Hey Donkeys, Blame Leon!

Thanks to a story in today's Cap Times, the theory is spreading around the State Capitol that Sen. Al Lasee (R-De Pere) - either on his way out, for heading for another four years - flexed his muscle to intimidate three GOP backbenchers and Speaker Gard to get the death penalty referendum passed.

It passed on a vote of 47-45 and DPW is throwing a fit.

According to the story, Lasee and Gard 'convinced' three GOP Legislators who were leaning no, into skipping the vote. The popular theory is Lasee was even threatening Gard by withholding his endorsement of Gard in the WI-08 GOP Primary.

It's about there, the theory blows up.

The three legislators were Sheryl Albers (R-Reedsburg), Judy Krawczyk (R-Green Bay), and Jerry Petrowski (R-Marathon). Karwczyk and Petrowski had prior engagements outside of Madison in their districts. Albers was still in the Capitol and was "ill."

It's unlikely there is a Gard threat because Krawczyk - a solid "no" in calls from the press - has endorsed his WI-08 Primary opponent Terri McCormick of Appleton. Why she'd want to appease Gard and anger McCormick (Also a "no.") is beyond me?

Petrowski, not a supporter of the Death Penalty, was going to vote "yes" so the public had a chance to have their day. (A position I share BTW.)

That leaves Albers. Here's what the new JS "All Politics Blog" had to say on that.

Albers was one of three Republicans who left the Assembly Thursday before voting on the referendum. An opponent of the referendum, Albers said she left in part because she felt ill, but also because of Lasee's earlier comments.

Lasee'’s appeal “was so strong that I did have some fear that were I to vote against it, it could affect my next (legislative) session because of his connections, and I do intend to run again and pursue many other issues," she said.

Lasee said he was forceful in his comments, but not threatening. "Name me one person who could intimidate Sheryl Albers," he said.

Also leaving early were Republicans Judy Krawczyk of Green Bay and Jerry Petrowski of Marathon. Krawczyk said she would have voted against the measure; Petrowski said he opposed the death penalty but supported allowing voters to express their opinions on it at the polls.

If they had voted as they claimed, the measure still would have squeaked through 48-47, but Democrats said they were skeptical of the absences. The three Republicans insisted GOP leaders did not advise them to leave.

Add in the two legislators who paired, and you make it 49-48. The 98^th - Jensen's seat - is vacant.

That leaves one other legislator not voting: Milwaukee Democrat Leon Young.

Where was Rep. Young? Avoiding the press both in Milwaukee and in Madison. Instead of being in Madison, Young was in a Milwaukee County Circuit Courtroom fighting disorderly conduct charges.

State Rep. Leon Young is fighting a disorderly conduct citation stemming from an incident outside a home.

Young, D-Milwaukee, was cited by police. According to the citation filed in Milwaukee Municipal Court, Young was banging on the door 4:55 a.m. March 11 and trying to get into the home, where he was not wanted.

Young, who was arraigned Thursday in Milwaukee Municipal Court, has a pretrial court appearance on June 30. Young, 38, did not immediately return a telephone call for comment Thursday.

He was first elected to the Assembly in 1992.

Young probably would have been a 'no' vote like all Assembly Democrats.

A 49-49 tie would have killed the bill. Choke on that Joe Wineke.