A judge has struck down Gov. Scott Walker's controversial new collective bargaining law.
Dane County Judge MaryAnn Sumi issued a permanent injunction against the law Thursday morning. That means the law is effectively dead until the Wisconsin Supreme Court acts on it.
In her decision, Sumi said there was "clear and convincing evidence" that Republicans who control the Legislature violated the state's open meetings laws in their rush to pass the legislation, meaning the law is void.
The case is "State of Wisconsin v (shorter) Wisconsin State Assembly" and various individuals thereof. The plaintiff is in the person of the District Attorney of Dane County.
NPR
A spokesman for Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, whose office defended the state, did not return a call. Ismael Ozanne, the Dane County district attorney who argued for striking down the law, also did not immediately return a message.
Get 'em, Ismael! Boy, there's a commie name if I ever heard one. Good name fer goin' after the Great White Whale of really evil right-wing legislation too. Heh.
Sumi said violating the open meetings law betrays the public's trust.
"The court must consider the potential damage to public trust and confidence in government if the Legislature is not held to the same rules of transparency that it has created for other governmental bodies," she wrote in a 33-page decision. "Our form of government depends on citizens' trust and confidence in the process by which our elected officials make laws, at all levels of government."
Yeah, ya can't just ram shit through because the Koch bros tell you to. Unless you think you can get away with it.
This case was argued at a fairly high level and justice prevailed on the despicable illegal means if not the even more despicable intent. It remains to be seen if the state Supremes will uphold Judge Sumi's decision on its legal merits or if they're under orders to make it come out the way the wingnut cabal wants it to.
It may not make any difference:
Walker and Republican leaders have said they would pass the law again as part of the state budget next month if necessary.
The struggle continues.
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