Judge strikes down Wis. law limiting union rights
MADISON — A Wisconsin judge on Friday struck down nearly all of the state law championed by Gov. Scott Walker that effectively ended collective bargaining rights for most public workers.
Walker's administration immediately vowed to appeal, while unions, which have vigorously fought the law, declared victory. But what the ruling meant for existing public contracts was murky: Unions claimed the ruling meant they could negotiate again, but Walker could seek to keep the law in effect while the legal drama plays out.
The law, a crowning achievement for Walker that made him a national conservative star, took away nearly all collective bargaining rights from most workers and has been in effect for more than a year.
Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas ruled that the law violates both the state and U.S. Constitution and is null and void.
In his 27-page ruling, the judge said sections of the law "single out and encumber the rights of those employees who choose union membership and representation solely because of that association and therefore infringe upon the rights of free speech and association guaranteed by both the Wisconsin and United States Constitutions."
Colas also said the law violates the equal protection clause by creating separate classes of workers who are treated differently and unequally.
The ruling applies to all local public workers affected by the law, including teachers and city and county government employees, but not those who work for the state. They were not a party to the lawsuit, which was brought by a Madison teachers union and a Milwaukee public workers union.
Walker issued a statement accusing the judge of being a "liberal activist" who "wants to go backwards and take away the lawmaking responsibilities of the legislature and the governor. We are confident that the state will ultimately prevail in the appeals process."
Wisconsin Department of Justice spokeswoman Dana Brueck said DOJ believes the law is constitutional.
The ruling throws into question changes that have been made in pay, benefits and other work rules in place across the state for city, county and school district workers.
Walker's law, passed in March 2011, only allowed for collective bargaining on wage increases no greater than the rate of inflation. All other issues, including workplace safety, vacation, health benefits, could no longer be bargained for.
The ruling means that local government and schools now must once again bargain over those issues, said Lester Pines, an attorney for Madison Teachers Inc. that brought the case.
"We're back to where we were before the law was enacted," he said.
Pines predicted the case would ultimately be resolved by the state Supreme Court.
"What's going to happen in the interim is unknown," he said.
The state Supreme Court in June 2011 ruled that the law was constitutional after it had been blocked by a different Dane County judge on a challenge over its passage being a violation of open meetings law.
Walker introduced the proposal in February 2011, six weeks after he took office. It resulted in a firestorm of opposition and led to huge protests at the state Capitol that lasted for weeks. All 14 Democratic state senators fled the state to Illinois for three weeks in an ultimately failed attempt to stop the law's passage from the Republican-controlled Legislature.
The law required public workers to pay more for their health insurance and pension benefits at the same time it took away their ability to collectively bargain over those issues. Walker argued the changes were needed to help state and local governments save money at a time Wisconsin faced a $3 billion budget shortfall.
Anger over the law's passage led to an effort to recall Walker from office. More than 930,000 signatures were collected triggering the June recall election. Walker won and became the first governor in U.S. history to survive a recall.
Democrats and unions were ecstatic with Friday's ruling.
"As we have said from day one, Scott Walker's attempt to silence the union men and women of Wisconsin's public sector was an immoral, unjust and illegal power grab," said Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.
The Democratic minority leader in the state Assembly called the ruling a huge victory for workers and free speech.
"This decision will help re-establish the balance between employees and their employers," said Rep. Peter Barca.
Republican Rep. Robin Vos, a staunch supporter of the law and the presumptive next speaker of the Assembly, called the ruling an example of the "arrogance of the judiciary."
"I'm confident it's a single judge out of step with the mainstream," Vos said. He said the law is working "and we'll continue to implement it."
Sep 19, 2012 at 2:08 p.m.
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Me feels thee arrth coolin abit arready.
Sep 19, 2012 at 2:07 p.m.
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Thanks BP, I almost forgot Sept. 19 is talk like a pirate day.
Sep 19, 2012 at 1:31 p.m.
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That we ALLLL enjoy !
Sep 19, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
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and the 8 hour work day ! and overtime pay !
Sep 19, 2012 at 1:27 p.m.
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Thank You Union Members for all of the 3 Day weekends we Enjoy with Friends and Family !
Sep 18, 2012 at 2:59 p.m.
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"Had Ralph Nader not been on the Florida ballet-AL Gore, despite not winning his OWN state of Tennessee.....would have won the 2000 Presidential election."
That's your opinion and you're entitled to it but you couldn't be more wrong. Again, you're ASSUMING that those who voted for Nader would have voted for Gore. You have no basis in fact to prove that. Maybe they would have all voted for Bush. People voted for Nader precisely because they didn't like Bush or Gore and weren't going to vote for either one. If Nader hadn't been an option, they likely would have voted for another 3rd party candidate or just stayed home.
Sep 18, 2012 at 12:37 p.m.
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Prince -- thank you -- you are 100% correct. It is forced -- compliance -- I have done the same thing and told them to stuff it. I will never belong to a union where I am forced to comply.
Sep 18, 2012 at 12:16 p.m.
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But restoring the American dream requires more than restoring a sound, productive economy, vitally important as that is. It requires a return to spiritual and moral values, values so deeply held by those who came here to build a new life. We need to restore those values in our daily life, in our neighborhoods and in our government’s dealings with the other nations of the world.
These are the values inspiring those brave workers in Poland. The values that have inspired other dissidents under Communist domination. They remind us that where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost. They remind us that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. You and I must protect and preserve freedom here or it will not be passed on to our children. Today the workers in Poland are showing a new generation not how high is the price of freedom but how much it is worth that price.
Labor Day Speech at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, New Jersey, September 1, 1980
Read more: http://shoqvalue.com/ronald-reagan-where...
I just wonder if anyone understands what this is about besides cutting one ans other down like some do in here. To me this is about preserving our rights in the work place and the right to equal pay and benifits and as well as fair treatment in the work place. Is that not what this is about? Ask yourselves that question.
Sep 18, 2012 at 10:16 a.m.
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Barking Prince has it correct. It is all about power and money. And us rich people have inherited it fair and square and bought politicians to protect it. Thanks for pointing out the obvious there pal.
Sep 18, 2012 at 8:01 a.m.
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My mother-in-law is a teacher in a small Wisconsin community. She's been anti-Walker since he started running for office. But, since she's gone back to work this year, she got a raise, her insurance costs went down because they were able to negotiate, and she no longer had to pay her union dues which saved her money. Now she's not sure what she thinks of Walker.
Curious if any other teachers have seen the same thing. Probably not in Janesville if their contract lasts through 2013?
Sep 18, 2012 at 4:45 a.m.
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This is all laughable. Reading comments from the left fringe for the past 4 days shows how little they understand not only about the law but also the constitution.
The judge, wrongly, tried to associate collective bargaining with the first amendment. Nothing in Act 10 keeps public employees from associating and having the freedom of speech. Act 10 was directed at the collective bargaining process which has never fallen under the first amendment. Collective bargaining was not even allowed in this state, for public workers, until the previous state law was passed that allowed it; until changed by Act 10.
I gleefully wait when this temporary ruling is corrected so I can once again watch the over reaction of those that have shown so little knowledge over existing laws and the constitution.
Sep 18, 2012 at 12:20 a.m.
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DTB,
I left out the conjuction "because". Bush won florida BECAUSE Ralph Nader, a far left liberal-took tens of thousands of votes that typically would have gone to Albert Gore, Junior. When all of the Votes were counted-Bush won by less than 600 votes-a remarkable number considering the total number of votes cast in Florida.
Had Ralph Nader not been on the Florida ballet-AL Gore, despite not winning his OWN state of Tennessee (yes I know he grew up a rich boy in Washington DC-but he pretends to be from Tennessee), would have won the 2000 Presidential election.
Bush won the election with 271 electoral college votes to 267. Ralph Nader is a typical do as I say-not as I do psuedo intellectual far left liberal that cost the democrats and Al Gore the election - you can chose to disagree.
Nader unlike Perot had a substantial impact on the result of the 2000 election. Perot garnered 19 Million votes but Clinton won 370 electoral college votes- which is what counts - winning with a plurality of the vote 43%.
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:16 p.m.
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Only 500 votes apart by the official count stopped vote. Maybe Hagelin (2281 votes) or Harris (562 votes) or Pat Buchanan (17,484 votes) or Browne (16,415) gave it to Bush. You're making the assumption that all of those Nader voters would have voted for Gore had Nader not been on the ballot and that's just not true. If Gore had been a better candidate, some of them might have voted for him but as it was, he was a lousy candidate and sent many voters packing, looking for someone else to vote for. Nader was (and still is)a better candidate than Bush, Gore, Kerry, McCain or Obama.
Your lowering yourself to name calling pretty much destroys any credability you might have had; that is if your own inconsistancy doesn't (saying Bush won in one sentence and claiming Nader handed him the election in another). Which is it?
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:59 p.m.
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dtb,
You are WRONG. BUSH WON. This information is readily available-you honestly cannot be this ignorant, can you?
http://www.fec.gov/pubrec/2000presgeresu...
Stupidity is amazing. Gore lost. Bush 2912790 - Gore 2912253. Nader 97488 votes. Nader gave the election to Bush.
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:07 p.m.
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http://www.businessinsider.com/how-romne...
Sep 17, 2012 at 6 p.m.
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dkush -- I would agree with the 1st part of your statement, but not the 2nd.
We should not be asking more of our wealthy population than we do today. When you look at the tax dollars collected and where they come from (when talking income tax) it becomes obvious who is paying for what. If we want to reduce collected revenue -- the easiest way is to increase the marginal tax rates as we watch people leave the US -- businesses and business owners.
Sep 17, 2012 at 5:44 p.m.
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http://news.yahoo.com/fact-check-anti-ob...
Sep 17, 2012 at 5:36 p.m.
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Ezoner: You keep talking about an entitlement society. It starts with our politicians who think they are entitled to make their own decisions on their own wages, cadillac heathcare and other benefits. And big money that think they are entitled to more tax-cuts which will get shifted to us one way or another.
Sep 17, 2012 at 5:15 p.m.
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oops sorry, wrong documentary
Sep 17, 2012 at 5:11 p.m.
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wislady:"dkush21
Did you get a chance to see the documentary 2016?"
No not yet, but I taped it since I was at work.
Sep 17, 2012 at 4:55 p.m.
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Not at all, TCB. When all the votes were actually counted, Al Gore won Florida. And it's a fallacy to think that Ralph Nader cost Al Gore the election. In reality, Al Gore lost Al Gore the election.
Sep 17, 2012 at 4:08 p.m.
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westorbust,
Judical activism in 2000? Its 2012 by the way. Talk about fighting the last war! The Supreme court followed the state of florida law. And most importantly - under every recount-Bush won. Stupidity of democrat voters who could not read a butterfly ballot arguably helped- but dems can thank Ralph Nader for losing the 2000 presidential election.
Sep 17, 2012 at 2:27 p.m.
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By the way, if we want to talk about "activist judges", why not start with the Supreme Court in 2000? Stopping the Florida recount when the margin of victory was .0092% by claiming that further counting votes would cause "irreparable harm" to democracy?
Score one for corporate America, non existent WMD's, and a decade of war.
Sep 17, 2012 at 2:21 p.m.
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wislady Sep 17, 2012 at 11:57 a.m. The left will dismiss you as a 2016er so as to obscure the truth.
I too saw the movie.
Isn't it the liberals that often invoke the quote "The truth shall set you free"?
Sep 17, 2012 at 12:36 p.m.
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Unions have no place in public employment and must be banned. The co - dependency between politicians and public unions is corruption by definition. There is no reason to expect the problems would ever be solved until public unions are removed.
Those that do not like the work environment they are in, are welcome to change careers, move on. Some have transitioned to private education, some to other careers where they feel more comfortable.
Sep 17, 2012 at 11:57 a.m.
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garyprimer
2016 is based on the writings of Obama....Obama's "facts". The documentary presents all of that in an orderly manner.
Sep 17, 2012 at 11:15 a.m.
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Hooray for Society! Ezoner is going to homeschool. Little Patriots that will someday be protecting the persecuted wealthy, by cutting and pasting on internet forums.
Sep 17, 2012 at 11:11 a.m.
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Brother -- thats far better than having teachers that want to brain wash my kids into an entitlement society where we all live off others (that is until others dont exist and we now collapse the entire society) at least I will have a school. Once the teachers have their over bloate3d salaries and homes they can wait for the bank to come take it away when the tax $$ disappear. Once again -- they just dont get it. The well is dry. They claim its all for the kids 00 while they stand in line and say give me mine...
Sep 17, 2012 at 11:09 a.m.
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Of course they do.
What a silly question.
Sep 17, 2012 at 10:14 a.m.
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What rights to the taxpayers, who are footing the bill, have? Do taxpayers have representation when public sector contracts are negotiated?
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:49 a.m.
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I can hook Ezoner and anyone else up with a home schoolin' lady down the street who has an extra double-wide out back. She will teach yer kids for 100 bucks a week -payable in Walmart gift cards, and/or child labor in their home business.
I can't say what business it is they have there, but you will all agree that teaching a trade and entrepenuership is a Patriotic virtue. (hint-tiny fingers are adept at stitchin together tri-cornered hats and little American flags -can't have those Chinese cornering the market).
She figures she can fit about 30 more or so kids. Probably could do more, if they didn't have 15 cats. Don't worry, the kids will get some good Patriot values. They play Glenn Beck and Limbaugh's shows on the airways all day long.
Oh yeah, and I hope you don't mind your kids getting taught a little Old Testament while they are there.
No free lunches, so don't even ask. (not that you would want them to have free lunch there, as self-reliant libertarians...and with all them cats).
Do not worry, they do believe in discipline there. Kids won't get away with what they do at those public schools. Know ribbons handed out for their crappy drawings etc.
They need to promote this home school more -perhaps the CRG can tell them how to print up some fliers. It's really a great and underutilized resource at ZERO cost to the taxpayers, that is until we start getting voucher cash -cha-ching.
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:41 a.m.
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What a foolish statement.......exactly how has the constitution spoken?
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:31 a.m.
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I will be pulling my children out of public schools this year. My hopes are that others will do the same and put the Unions out of jobs. Its time for the people to take a stand and to get the union thugs out of our wallets.
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:27 a.m.
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wislady is a 2016er.
Who would have thought?
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:03 a.m.
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I wonder how state referendums on legalizing slavery would have gone in the 1850s South?
Sep 17, 2012 at 9:01 a.m.
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Go neocon haters of public Education. Line my pockets.
Oh these Patriots - It's like having a herd of star-spangled yapper dogs at my disposal.
Beautiful.
Sep 17, 2012 at 8:58 a.m.
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The Constitution has Spoken.
Sep 17, 2012 at 8:57 a.m.
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Wislady, 2016 is as much of a un-biased documentary as Farenheit 9/11 is. Speaking of thinking for yourself...
Sep 17, 2012 at 8:36 a.m.
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Laborparty.......You're buying into the lies that the unions are spoon feeding you! There was definitely a $3 billion plus deficit and tax credits to corps had NOTHING to do with it as they wouldn't be put into play until the next fiscal year. The liberal news sources have even confirmed this.
Your second point is also completely false. Walker was asked about two specific provisions in Act 10, not Act 10 or collective bargaining as a whole. If you watch the entire video--the unedited version when old Denny blows up on the committee chair--this will become apparent. Please start thinking for yourself and not letting the unions do the thinking for you. That's the only way we can get their lies from being spread.......Thx!
Sep 17, 2012 at 8:23 a.m.
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dkush21
Did you get a chance to see the documentary 2016?
Sep 17, 2012 at 8:04 a.m.
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What a crock of crap!!
Sep 17, 2012 at 7:35 a.m.
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Just another example of the how growing government takes the power away from the people. Not surprising but pathetically sad to say the least.
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:48 a.m.
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Not to be off topic, but, there is a good documentary on CURNT today at 11:00 am "Koch Brothers Exposed". I am sure there are other times, also. Check your TV listings.
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:26 a.m.
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Funny thing how yadamouse and Eyster have an extreme vision on how to use capital letters all the time...many peas in the left fringe pod.
Sep 17, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.
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Little by little the extreme agenda of the Republicans are taking away your rights. READ the QUOTE from the NEW LEADER OF THE Capitol Police in Madison - David Erwin --> "THERE'S A TIME AND PLACE FOR FREE SPEECH AND WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REGULATE THAT A LITTLE BIT."
And don't forget on "Constitution Day" - Today
"SCOTT WALKER REDUCED TO NAME CALLING TO DEFEND STRUCK DOWN ACT 10"
http://m.host.madison.com/news/opinion/c...
Sep 16, 2012 at 10:08 p.m.
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you know what would be best in this entire situation???
Put it to a referendum, that way if the people of this state want to have their taxes raised to give people their so called right to benefits and raises that most people are not getting right now they can vote, "yes" and if not then vote "no" and see what happens. But the unions would never endorse that, because it would be a landslide of "NO" votes.
People and I mean all people are tired of paying more in taxes, if you want to keep your benefits and raises then find other ways to lower costs without having to raise taxes. What is so wrong with that?
Sep 16, 2012 at 9:09 p.m.
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Shoeboy......I would hope that the SC justices are smarter and more educated than myself! The "bought and paid for by republican money" comment made me laugh.:) Regardless, despite having to deal with the chief justice, who has an obvious bias based on the tens of thousands of dollars that the unions funnel her way every election cycle, I'm fairly certain that the court will continue to support walker's legislation!
Sep 16, 2012 at 7:55 p.m.
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I prefer to call it the WMC Supreme Court; and with Prosser as the swing vote, they might well overturn it. Prosser will do as his puppet masters tell him, the law be damned.
Sep 16, 2012 at 7:15 p.m.
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I see how ALEC and the Kochs have bought off Walker and the Fitz family so their preffered legislation is what's brought up. That's how it really works 916.
Sep 16, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.
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Large123..,,,,good job in repeating exactly what I said! I'd like to give you a gold star, but obviously you can't comprehend what others have written, considering you simply repeat what's already been said......Keep trying though--maybe someday you'll get it:)
Sep 16, 2012 at 5:06 p.m.
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Yes--let's see--thats how it works!! Good job--you get a gold star today! (you do know that even if our walker-umm state supreme court rules it can be appealed to another court (I'll let you guess what court that is)
Sep 16, 2012 at 5:01 p.m.
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916--follow me here--the legislative branch made up of Representatives can make any law they want--the judicial branch makes sure it's constitutional and legal! kinda grade school stuff.
Sep 16, 2012 at 4:57 p.m.
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Large123......Unconstitutional from the perspective of one liberal judge. Let's see what the elected members of the state supreme court have to say about the unconstitutionality of Walker's legislation.........
Sep 16, 2012 at 4:54 p.m.
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dtb......I never said they did. The people of Wisconsin did elect representatives to the state legislature who do have that responsibility though--the result of which was Act 10........see how that works:)
Sep 16, 2012 at 4:20 p.m.
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Sorry 916, voters don't make laws (in walkers world ALEC does).
Sep 16, 2012 at 4:11 p.m.
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916-- do you understand the difference between elections and something being ruled unconstitutional? (hint--there are 3 branches of government--guess how they work!)
Sep 16, 2012 at 4:02 p.m.
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Dtb.....by putting walker ino place--for the second time now--the taxpayers have decided they no longer want their elected officials to negotiate or enter into contracts with the public workers unions.....there is no interference....
Sep 16, 2012 at 3:09 p.m.
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"why is changing the amount of benefits interference?"
Do you understand what a contract is? An agreement between 2 parties; in this case between a group of teachers and a school board. The state has no right to step in between (look up definition of "interfere" here) the 2 and dictate terms, which is what Act 10 does. Leave the 2 parties to come to their own agreement on pay and benefits.
Sep 16, 2012 at 2:33 p.m.
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I also think that our representatives should be paid on a merit system.
Sep 16, 2012 at 2:30 p.m.
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This is the second time that I double posted and I know I only clicked on the post once. Sorry folks for the double post.
Sep 16, 2012 at 2:28 p.m.
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"That they actually had to pay into their retirement and health insurance, you know, like private sector employees in most vocations, instead of selfishly expecting the taxpayers of Wisconsin to foot the entire bill. Health insurance and retirement benefits are NOT RIGHTS. They are benefits that were negotiated - NO RIGHTS. You don't negotiate rights."
Since WE pay for our representatives, can we change their pay and benefits package, also, and tell them they have no rights ?
Sep 16, 2012 at 2:28 p.m.
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"That they actually had to pay into their retirement and health insurance, you know, like private sector employees in most vocations, instead of selfishly expecting the taxpayers of Wisconsin to foot the entire bill. Health insurance and retirement benefits are NOT RIGHTS. They are benefits that were negotiated - NO RIGHTS. You don't negotiate rights."
Since WE pay for our representatives, can we change their pay and benefits package, also, and tell them they have no rights ?
Sep 16, 2012 at 10:59 a.m.
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Do the right wingers have ANY understanding of how our government works.? The separation of powers? That one of these issues will probably be settled in federal appeals court, because it has been ruled to violate the U. S. Constitution? That the state employees were not included because they had not filed suit. The federal appeals court may not be the slam dunk that of the folks think the state supreme court will be. The feds aren't in the guv's pocket.
Sep 16, 2012 at 10:35 a.m.
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Teachers in the state of Wisconsin do not have the right to strike! You are misinformed.
Sep 16, 2012 at 10:03 a.m.
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Missed the city and county. Ooops on me. Same thing...use guidelines not mandates. The state workers aren't included, and were the only ones already paying for retirement and insurance. Or were they? No, they weren't. Now, the repubs are talking to the state workers offering many "goodies" if they create associations away from the unions. Was this really about saving money then? I agree with limiting many things, but without the right to strike (which they never had)(teachers did), the majority of workers, state, county and city have absolutely no say in their work environment. Even at the Federal level there is more ability to negotiate for work environment issues. Even folks working at Walmart can talk about workplace safety without worrying about being terminated because the supervisor feels like it.
Sep 16, 2012 at 9:52 a.m.
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Teachers are not the only ones included in this decision----you should try reading it before you post.
Sep 16, 2012 at 9:46 a.m.
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Aren't teachers (the only ones included with this decision) the employees of the school districts and not the state? Just asking. Seems back when the entire fiasco started, people thought that all state employees were treated like teachers. Surprise, surprise that it wasn't so, but so what to many folks. Guidelines from the state to the school boards and city councils are one thing- mandates make hostility on both "sides" JMO
Sep 15, 2012 at 4:09 p.m.
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BP, you seem to be contradicting yourself. What gives the state the right to interfere with a contract between 2 parties (i.e. a local union and a local school board). And if the state can step in and change the rules, then what good is the contract?
Sep 15, 2012 at 4:06 p.m.
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"Laws are not to be made by judicial ruling."
Unconstitutional laws can be voided by judicial ruling. See: Marbury v. Madison
Sep 15, 2012 at 3:47 p.m.
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I think the Republican base was just energized.
Sep 15, 2012 at 2:50 p.m.
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The judge will have his opinion set aside. The
whole essence of the union and this issue is to be able to strike, use violence or the threat of violence in order to eastablish a monopoly of a privileged group of workers. Teachers are implying that they own their jobs as a position of privilege on the basis of that power.Jobs are offered and employees accept those jobs and salaries in a free market. Laws are not to be made by judicial ruling.
Sep 15, 2012 at 1:56 p.m.
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ADJUNK PROF More fitting name for you...
Sep 15, 2012 at 1:51 p.m.
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A JUDGE THAT COULD NOT BE BOUGHT!!!!!! LOVE IT..... WALKER HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW?????????????
Sep 15, 2012 at 1:45 p.m.
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wasp - he got the diploma in a cereal box. Still more educated than the governor.
Sep 15, 2012 at 1:43 p.m.
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Those people he's listening to are the ones who contribute big $$$ to his campaign. He's not about to stop doing their will; he is their puppet.
Sep 15, 2012 at 1:37 p.m.
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Mr. Walker needs to grow up and quit being the baby that he is and realize that he has violated a law. not only a state law, but a federal one. I think he needs to have a mind of his own and quit listening to other people. he needs to think of the people first and not his wallet.
Sep 15, 2012 at 12:22 p.m.
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SCOTT WALKER...MR. "DIVIDE & CONQUER" - When all of this is over - we will win. We will EVENTUALLY find out your part in the FBI JOHN DOE investigation -wait and see because it will happen. NIXON got caught and so will the Gov. - READ THIS --> "HONESTY IS THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK WISDOM." THOMAS JEFFERSON
http://www.walkerinvestigation.com/
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/20...
http://www.politiscoop.com/us-politics/w...
http://www.politiscoop.com/us-politics/w...
Sep 15, 2012 at 6:26 a.m.
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Good comment POOBAH on the State Supreme Court not having the final say. I agree with you on that. The Judge raised many good points especially true was that the KING WALKER law was putting workers into different classes because Police & Fire KEPT ALL of their bargaining rights and others did not. All part of Walkers "DIVIDE AND CONQUER plan that he has told everyone.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepoliti...
Walker wants a RED STATE for more low wages & benefits...
http://crooksandliars.com/kenneth-quinne...
Sep 15, 2012 at 5:40 a.m.
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AdjunctProf - Congratulations on your law degree. That might have been one of the most vapid dissertations on law I have ever read.
Sep 15, 2012 at 3:16 a.m.
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Pure hilarity. The circus is back in town with the same tired arguments. How dare the state have the same rules on public workers that the federal government does.
Sep 14, 2012 at 9:44 p.m.
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It's working!
Sep 14, 2012 at 8:55 p.m.
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AdjunctProf, you'll find the words "right" or "rights" three times alone in section 111.04 of the Wisconsin state statutes. [ https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statute... ]
111.04 Rights of employees. Employees shall have the right of self-organization and the right to form, join or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in lawful, concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection; and such employees shall also have the right to refrain from any or all of such activities."
- 009-10 Wis. Stats. database current through 2011 Wis. Act 286. Includes all Legislative Acts and all Supreme Court Orders enacted before Sept. 1, 2012. Statutory changes effective on or prior to Sept. 1, 2012 are printed as currently in effect. Changes effective after Sept. 1, 2012 are designated by NOTES.
Sep 14, 2012 at 8:45 p.m.
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Erasing a huge deficit without raising taxes. $3.6 billion.
Savings to taxpayers. Over a Billion dollars.
The state's credit rating. Preserved.
The state's job climate. Improved.
The second liberal activist Dane County judge to make a ruling soon to be overturned by those who actually read the Constitution. PRICELESS.
Sep 14, 2012 at 8:27 p.m.
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Basis for the Judge's ruling contradicts itself. Judge Colas ruled that the law violated workers' constitutional rights by denying to union workers certain powers available to their nonunion counterparts. Guess what judge? Workers in all kinds of jobs have different privileges. Oh yes, you misused the term 'rights' when referring to prior union employee bargaining PRIVILEGES. Oh, and by the way, if they don't like it, then don't join the union and according to your logic, restore what was lost. Ooooops, didn't think of that little contradiction as well. Your decision was easily dismantled as default public employee union talking points in mere seconds. Do not pass 'competent.' Do not collect your salary this month for being a liberal hack hiding on the bench.
Sep 14, 2012 at 8:04 p.m.
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"Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas ruled Friday that the law violates both the state and U.S. Constitution and is null and void."
If true, the State Supreme Court won't have the final say on this one.
Sep 14, 2012 at 7:43 p.m.
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It is a great decision!!! It is the ARROGANT REPUBLICANS that are so VERY WRONG & not the judge! The victory is for the freedom of speech & for the MANY workers!. Keep in mind - the FBI John Doe Investigation will shake things up even more. Soon everyone will know what has taken place on the County level and now at the State Level.
http://www.walkerinvestigation.com/
"JUDGE THROWS OUT WALKER'S UNION BARGAINING LAW"
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepoliti...
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepoliti...
Sep 14, 2012 at 7:42 p.m.
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Sigh, do we really need to go through this circus again, pushing the issue to the state Supreme Court where it will be declared constitutional as it already had previously (http://bit.ly/R6uwAw)? Honestly this is just a petty move by the judge, and timing this on a Friday afternoon is pretty hilarious.
But sure, let’s go through another lengthy expensive court battle with a result that is all but certain just so a judge can make a name for themselves. The best part is that the judge ruled this violates the U.S. Constitution. I guess we should tell President Obama that when he got rid of collective bargaining for federal employees, he violated the constitution (http://bit.ly/ncNc89). Who knew a single judge in Dane County had so much power!
Sep 14, 2012 at 7:28 p.m.
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It's about time.
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