MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - The Walker administration will stop carrying out the new law that limits collective bargaining by public employee unions.
Governor Scott Walker Thursday said he’ll comply with a decision earlier in the day from Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi. She said it was improper for Republicans to have the law published on the Legislature’s Web site last Friday, so it could be implemented last weekend despite a restraining order the judge issued on March 18th.
That order blocked the union law until the judge could decide whether the Legislature broke the state Open Meetings Law when they passed it. The Justice Department said the restraining order only applied to the traditional way of adopting the law – in which the secretary of state has it published in the Wisconsin State Journal, and it takes effect the next day.
Sumi hear take more testimony on the matter Friday.
Secretary of State Doug La Follette said he was pleased with Thursday’s ruling. He called it a clear statement that the law is not in effect until the other legal issues are straightened out.
But GOP Assembly Finance Chair Robin Vos said it was wrong for a judge in one county to hold up the entire Legislature – and he still believes the law was adopted legally.
