Update: Collective Bargaining Law Struck Down By Judge

Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi struck down Gov. Scott Walker's controversial collective bargaining law because it violated open meetings laws, according to a story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Representative Robin Vos (R-Rochester) issued this statement today, May 26:

“I’m confident that the State Supreme Court will decide that a Dane County judge has no authority to stand in the way of legislation that was passed legally and signed into law. There are two prior supreme court cases that set precedence in this matter,” he said.

Further, Vos said the collective bargaining provision of Governor Walker's budget repair bill are essential to the biennial budget, and the state Legislature will continue to work on issues they see as vital to restoring the state's financial health.

"As this issue plays out in court, we’ll continue to make smart fiscal decisions in order to create a balanced budget that will create jobs, hold the line on taxes and eliminate the state’s $3.6 billion dollar deficit,” Vos added.

The law, which restricted most collective bargaining rights for public employees, required them to pay more toward pension and health care costs. The resolution, passed in March after several months of union protests, exempted public safety employees. Republicans said the law was needed to give schools and municipal governments the tools they needed to manage shrinking aid payments from the state.

WEAC President Mary Bell praised Sumi's move and urged lawmakers not to re-vote on the changes, which limited union negotiations to only wages capped by the consumer price index. 

"It is not in the best interest of students, schools or Wisconsin’s future to take the voices of educators out of our classrooms," Bell said. "We’ve seen how this issue has polarized our state.”

Here’s the story:

Dane County judge strikes down collective bargaining law

The PDF of the law is also available in the photo gallery attached to this story.