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Madison -- The state Supreme Court will soon issue an order in the case over collective bargaining, a lawyer involved in the case said Tuesday. Attorney Bob Jambois, who represents Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), said the Supreme Court clerk's office told one of his colleagues the order will be issued soon. The clerk's office would not confirm that to the Journal Sentinel. A spokesman for the court did not immediately return a call. (Wisconsin legistature Collective Bargining law upheld, did not violate notice requirement)

Franklin D. Roosevelt said: “Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection.” The passion with which public employee unions are fighting the common sense financial reforms of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is certainly understandable — their golden goose hangs in the balance. That they stand to lose so much underscores the importance and timeliness of Walker’s bill. Governor Walker has stood his ground, and the world seems shocked that a politician has actually done what he said he would. After stripping the budget repair bill of financial issues so that the bill could be voted on — because 14...

Wisconsin GOP Will Ignore Injunction, Implement Collective Bargaining Law Doug Mataconis · Thursday, March 31, 2011 · 9 Comments Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and his Administration are setting themselves up for a showdown with the state’s judiciary with their decision to implement the provisions of the recently passed collective bargaining law despite the fact that a state trial court judge has ordered that it not be implemented: State officials have not stopped putting in place changes to collective bargaining rules for public employees despite a judge’s order barring the law’s implementation — and a threat of sanctions against anyone who...

State officials have not stopped putting in place changes to collective bargaining rules for public employees despite a judge's order barring the law's implementation — and a threat of sanctions against anyone who violates it. Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch said Wednesday he has a legal obligation to implement all laws passed by the Legislature, signed by Gov. Scott Walker and published into law. Huebsch said the Department of Justice and his own legal counsel, a team of DOA attorneys, agree the measure has met those requirements "and is now effective law." "It is my duty to administer that...

MADISON –Wisconsin Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch today released the following statement regarding the implementation of the budget repair bill: “I have a legal obligation to execute all laws pertaining to my department that have been passed by both houses of the legislature, signed by the Governor, and published into law. The Department of Justice has concluded that 2011 Wisconsin Act 10 has met those requirements and is now effective law. My legal counsel agrees with the Department of Justice’s legal reasoning and conclusions. Accordingly, it is my duty to administer that law. “On the other hand, Judge Sumi...

RPDC Apologizes To Judge Sumi The Republican Party of Dane County sent out a press release on March 29th criticizing Judge Maryann Sumi for holding up the publication of Governor Scott Walker’s collective bargaining reform bill. Upon further reflection we’d like to apologize for not understanding her point of view. Sure, Governor Walker’s bill is unquestionably constitutional, increases worker’s rights and helps local government balance budgets without having to fire public workers. The Wisconsin state legislature consulted with their non-partisan parliamentarian to make sure that the passage of the bill followed the rules of the Senate and Assembly. But this...

Two city of Madison labor unions and Dane County dropped their request to consolidate their complaints over the guv's collective bargaining law after being told doing so would allow the state to seek a new judge. Dane County and two city of Madison labor unions, AFL-CIO Local 236 and Firefighters Local 311, sought to consolidate their separate complaints over the act. Attorneys for the plaintiffs asked the state to agree not to seek a substitution of judges before moving forward. But Judge Maryann Sumi said the defendants did not have to bind themselves to that commitment. The motion was then...

Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi issued an order this afternoon blocking further implementation of the collective bargaining bill. Sumi stopped short of signing off on a proposed declaration that publication by the Legislative Reference Bureau does not make the law take effect. But she made clear during her ruling that "further implementation of the act is enjoined." The judge reiterated that lawmakers could easily implement the law through another, properly noticed committee hearing and legislative vote, commenting that "when taxpayers are paying the bill, that needs to be part of the discussion" of continuing litigation. Sumi also warned that those...

MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin appeals court said Thursday that the state Supreme Court is the appropriate court to decide whether a new law that diminishes the collective bargaining power of public employee unions should go into effect, Fox News Channel reported. A judge in Dane County issued a temporary restraining order halting the law last week until the Circuit Court can decide on a lawsuit brought by the Dane County district attorney, a Democrat, challenging whether the law was passed legally. Republican Gov. Scott Walker signed the law on March 11 following a month of protests at the Wisconsin...

Jake Sinderbrand, son of Judge Maryann Sumi, poses a bit of a problem for his mother. Son of Sumi touts his work for the AFL-CIO and SEIU. He has developed his professional political experience serving as a lead field manager with the AFL-CIO and as data manager for the SEIU State Council through the 2008 election cycle.