March 18th, 2011
04:58 PM ET

Wisconsin judge halts state budget law curbing unions' power

A Wisconsin judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday halting the state's controversial budget repair law that curbs the union power of most public employees, the Dane County district attorney's office said.

Gov. Scott Walker, who championed the measure and signed it into law last week, said he was confident the initiative would eventually prevail in the court system, a spokeswoman said.

"This legislation is still working through the legal process. We are confident the provisions of the budget repair bill will become law in the near future," Cullen Werwie, the governor's press secretary, said in a statement.

Wisconsin Senate Democrats called the law, which reduces the collective bargaining rights of most state employees, an attack on workers and filed a complaint with the Dane County district attorney, claiming that the Senate's Republican-led vote violated Wisconsin's open meetings law.

The ruling by Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi came in response to a lawsuit filed by District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, charging such a violation of the law.

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Filed under: Budget • Labor • Wisconsin
soundoff (41 Responses)
  1. used to be union

    at one time unions were a necessary evil like early 1900's
    but now i think we can blame the high wages and cost of living on them unions like especially UAW who i might ad made the government bail out the auto industry after the unions made them broke, I can rember that every time their contract came up for review they asked for more money or something for their retirement program.
    No wonder GM almost lost their ass.

    March 19, 2011 at 9:51 am | Report abuse |
    • Scottish Mama

      Actually the unions gave up some of their benefits to help the GM and Chrysler plants. It was the head honchos that made bllions of dollars. The bailout money went to Chrysler and GM but they paid it all back last year. every penny. Ford was the only company that did not take bailout money
      Unions were never evil nor the people who work in unions. It is always the mob or bosses that can skim money off of the unions. Unions protect the people who work. Till there comes a time that employers can treat people with respect without laws and unions they should stand. Until management and owners get a grip on putting money back into their business, stop being so greedy, and pay their emplyees wages that let them live, eat and have healthcare unions should stand.

      March 19, 2011 at 11:46 pm | Report abuse |
    • bookfinder

      What do you think will happen when unions are gone. And don't tell ne the laws will protect you. They can be repealed. They are repealing child labor laws in Kansas right now.

      March 20, 2011 at 12:49 am | Report abuse |
  2. lex

    A democratic judge and a democratic DA. Godo investment of union funds to keep the gravy train rolling.

    March 19, 2011 at 11:15 am | Report abuse |
    • Fredreads

      The judge was appointed was appointed to the bench by Republican Gov. Tommy G. Thompson in 1998.

      March 19, 2011 at 9:41 pm | Report abuse |
  3. jj

    money laundering i say!

    March 19, 2011 at 4:58 pm | Report abuse |
    • Scottish Mama

      Prove it. And Walker giving the Koch Bros Billionaires tax cuts. Your talk is just that.

      March 19, 2011 at 11:49 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Uplinkjim

    Nobody want's to look at the real problem every State is facing and that is all the Illegals in this country sucking us dry and working for big corporations for nothing.Not to mention all the anchors they are dropping..get a clue follow AZ.

    March 19, 2011 at 5:49 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Planet X

    Wow! http://nopolicestate.com

    March 20, 2011 at 10:33 am | Report abuse |
  6. personny

    America is becoming a 3rd world country. http://www.nomore/aide.com72pl

    March 20, 2011 at 10:39 am | Report abuse |
    • jimbob

      I disagree. It already is a third world country by European standards.

      March 29, 2011 at 11:30 pm | Report abuse |
  7. John

    Elections have consequences.

    This is what happens when the people do not come out to vote in great numbers. At the very next opportunity in Wisconsin, every teacher, every wife and adult child and parent and in-law of a teacher, every high school and college student of voting age, every police officer and fireman, every Democrat, even the very elderly in the old folks' homes, even if they have to be carried in on stretchers, or wheeled in from the hospital with the IV still in the arm – get out and vote these brainless, tyrannical, numbskull, knukle-dragging Neanderthal Republicans out – out of the legislature, out of the State Senate, out of the governorship – send them packing. But, all those who are so angry must vote, and get all their relatives and adult children to vote. Nothing less than 100% of the Democratic vote will do.

    Then, once back in control, repeal this filthy, union-busting, pro big-business, antediluvian legislation, and make Wisconsin a civilized, proper place to live and raise a family.

    If it does not work – time to leave and find a better place.

    Incidentally, did I read that the governor does not even have a college degree? How can intelligent voters elect an educationally deficient person to such a position? Unbelievable in itself, if true.

    March 27, 2011 at 2:37 am | Report abuse |
  8. jimbob

    This should be a clarion call to all in the middle class and under that the Tea-Party and the Republican party do not represent them. Get out an vote next time for people who actually will represent you, and not for the silly sloganists who spout lies.

    March 29, 2011 at 11:32 pm | Report abuse |
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