Area lawmakers comment on Brat Summit

GREEN BAY - Brats and beer are what Gov. Scott Walker hopes will help bridge the divide in Wisconsin.

Tuesday afternoon, the governor is having legislators stop by the house for a brat summit.

In a statement from the governor's office, Walker says," We've got some fantastic, authentic Wisconsin products that we will be sharing with legislators of both political parties and their staff. I am hopeful this get-together will forge relationships that will make it easier to work together to help create jobs."

It seems those on both sides of the political aisle are initially optimistic, but some question the end result.

"We got to trust what Governor Walker on his word that he wants to do it differently and we'll see what happens," said State Sen. Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay).

Hansen says he'll be there.

He was one of the 14 Democrats who fled the state for three weeks in an attempt to block the contentious collective bargaining bill.

Now, more than a year later, Hansen says there may still be hard feelings, but he's optimistic.

"I guess that's all we ever asked for is that somehow we'd be at the table to talk about compromise and collaboration and working together and if this can take us in that direction and make us more unified, as divided as this state is, it's a good thing," Hansen explained.

"I can talk to any of my colleagues anytime, and I do," said State Sen. Frank Lasee (R-De Pere). "I don't see an extra point to go and have brats at the governor's mansion."

Lawmakers won't be seeing Lasee at the cookout. He says it's a nice idea, but he questions the ultimate result.

"Most of what we do is bipartisan, there are some things we have deep disagreements about, how much taxes should be, how big your government is, how much it costs," Lasee said. "Dems want a lot more. We want the same or less. Those disagreements aren't going away."

Lasee's Republican colleagues, State Sens. Robert Cowles of Green Bay and Michael Ellis of Neenah, tell FOX 11 they will attend.

We may not know exactly how well things will go at the summit, but we do know what will be on the menu.

The governor's office sent this list out Tuesday afternoon:

• Sprecher Root Beer with specialized labels
• Brats from Trig’s
• Brats from Johnsonville
• Brats from Brat Stop
• Large cheese tray from Cheesers
• Italian sausage and cheddarwurst, and buns from Sardino Brothers Sausage
• Bison burgers, bison bratwurst – onion leek, and bison bratwurst – jalapeno cheddar from Northstar Bison
• Beer from Sconnie Beer
• Potosi Beer from Rep. Tranel
• Beer from Title Town Brewing Company
• Brats from Usinger’s
• Beer from MillerCoors
• Burgers from Roundy’s Supermarkets
• Brownies, cookies, veggie burgers, cheese from Sendik’s Food Markets
• Buns from Pan-O-Gold
• Plates, napkins, utensils, cups, condiments, potato & pasta salad, baked beans, pickle
• and candy from Lipari Foods
• Lettuce, tomato, onion, green salad w/ dressing, fruit from Russ Davis Wholesale
• Soft drinks and water from Coca Cola Refreshments
• Soft drinks and water from Pepsi of Madison
• Soft drinks and water from Dr. Pepper/Snapple
• Iced tea and juice from Kwik Trip
• Chips from Frito Lay
• Ice and a chiller truck/trailer from Arctic Glacier Ice
• Propane canisters from Tru-Gas

The event will run Tuesday from 3-5 p.m. It is not open to the media.

As of late Tuesday, 98 out of 132 legislators have said yes. That includes 37 Democrats, 60 Republicans and one Independent including most of our area senators and representatives as well.