Frank Lasee

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Learn more about corporations VOTING to rewrite our laws.

Frank Lasee is a Republican state senator representing Wisconsin's 1st Senate District.

Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council

Frank Lasee is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). He is an alternate on the ALEC Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force. He also used $200 in taxpayer funds to pay for his ALEC membership dues, according to One Wisconsin Now. [1]. In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Sen. Lasee co-sponsored 6 bills that reflect ALEC models, according to an analysis by the Center for Media and Democracy. 

About ALEC
ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve “model” bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our PRWatch.org site.

2011 Legislation

Sen. Lasee introduced or co-sponsored the following legislation in 2011: [2]

  • Health care services: people have a right to contract privately for and purchase private health care coverage; law requiring a person to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage or participate in any health care system or plan prohibited. Constitutional amendment (1st consideration)............SJR-21 : " [Article I] Section 27. The people have the right to enter into private contracts with health care providers for health care services and to purchase private health care coverage. The legislature may not require any person to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage or to participate in any health care system or plan."
    • Compare with ALEC Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act: "The people have the right to enter into private contracts with health care providers for health care services and to purchase private health care coverage. The legislature may not require any person to participate in any health care system or plan, nor may it impose a penalty or fine, of any type, for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage or for participation in any particular health care system or plan."
  • Lawful presence in state: if reasonable suspicion, law enforcement officer to have federal agency determine re person arrested or charged with a crime or civil action, secured custody and jail cost provisions; ordinance, resolution, or policy prohibiting a local governmental employee from inquiring if an individual receiving public services has a satisfactory immigration status or notifiying the federal government of the presence of illegal aliens prohibited, writ of mandamus provision............AB-173
  • Residential landlord: prohibiting ordinances that impose specified limits............SB-107 / AB-155
  • Motor vehicle insurance revisions re proof of financial responsibility, medical payments coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorists, and permissible policy provisions............AB-4
  • Electric provider may count electricity derived from a large hydroelectric facility toward compliance with the renewable portfolio standard............AB-114 / BS-81
  • Wind energy system requirements revised re PSC rules, brochure to affected property owners, written disclosure, setback requirements, and large wind energy system definition; Wind Siting Council study re impact on property values............SB-98
  • Limiting the authority of a city, village, or town to enact a development moratorium ordinance............SB 50

Support for Wisconsin Act 10's Collective Bargaining Limits

Sen. Lasee supported Governor Scott Walker's Budget Repair Bill (Act 10) that curtailed collective bargaining for public employees.

2010 Support from Club for Growth

According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, Club for Growth "sponsored a radio ad about three weeks before the November 2010 elections against Democrat Elmer Monk of Kimberly, who [was] running for the 1st Senate District open seat against Republican Frank Lasee. The ad criticized Monk for voting to raise property taxes as Kimberly school board member." [3]

2011 / 2012 Committee Assignments

Senate Standing Committees:

  • Committee on Financial Institutions and Rural Issues
  • Committee on Insurance and Housing (Chair)
  • Committee on State and Federal Relations and Information Technology
  • Committee on Transportation and Elections

Joint Committees:

  • Joint Legislative Council
  • Governor's Commission on Waste, Fraud and Abuse

[4]

References

  1. Scot Ross, "One Wisconsin Now Exclusive: WI Senators Paying Corporate ALEC Membership with Tax Dollars, One Wisconsin Now website, May 8, 2011
  2. Sen. Lasee 2011 legislation, Wisconsin legislature website, accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
  3. Wisconsin Democracy Campaign Hijacking Campaign 2010 Club for Growth Wisconsin, organization website, accessed May 9, 2011
  4. Lasee Committee Assignments, legislative website, accessed Aug 1, 2011.