Read the Judge's Complete Ruling Here
Huffington Post Story
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.
The people of Wisconsin clearly spoke on June 5. Now, they are ready to move on. Sadly a liberal activist judge in Dane County 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.
~ Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker
Walker's attempt to silence the union men and women of Wisconsin's public sector was an immoral, unjust and illegal power grab. Now, a court has ruled that the essential provisions of Act 10, Scott Walker's draconian attack on public worker's right to collectively bargain, is unconstitutional.
~ Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisoncin AFL-CIO Union, via CNN
The decision essentially creates the (2011) status quo for municipal employees and school district employees because it declared the essential provisions of Act 10 to be unconstitutional.
~ Lester Pines, attorney for the Madison teachers union, via Milwaukee Journal
This is a sound decision by the court that upholds what we were saying all along — that Act 10 violates constitutional rights.
~ Christina Brey, a spokeswoman for the Wisconsin Education Association Council, via New York Times
We believe the law is constitutional. We are reviewing the decision, but we're planning to appeal.
~ Dana Brueck, spokeswoman for Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, via Milwaukee Journal
This decision will help to re-establish the balance between employees and their employers. The decision gives us an opportunity to get back to the Wisconsin values of sitting down and working together to iron out differences, not taking away the constitutional rights of our citizens.
~ Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha), via Milwaukee Journal
A judge living in the fantasy world of Dane County has decided they are going to substitute their singular opinion as opposed to the collective will of Wisconsin, through the Legislature and the recall process. We have litigated, reviewed and elected people because of Act. 10. In each case, they say the law works. And it is.
~ Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester) , via Milwaukee Journal
Juan Colas is obviously a hispanic, probably got through law school with "affimative action" grades and the same kind of guiltywhiteboy help as Obama. No doubt he is a far left moron, who smolders with resentment against white America, and does everything in his power to undermine our culture.
Americans of European descent demand freedom. WE decide what laws we want, not unelected creeps from the far left. If this punk decision is not overturned, I predict there will be ANOTHER recall, to recall his dumb ass, and undo his wrong-headed idea about the constitution.
The constitution gives power to WE THE PEOPLE, not "we the lawyers"
~ comment by beisbolfan on Politico
Shame on this leftist, partisan activist judge, What an idiot,. This MUST be Overturned. The nation is rooting for Walker and WILL SEE THAT UNION greed and thuggery is topped in its tracks. Americans are so tired of the lazy, bottom-feeder thugs.
~ comment by doveab on Politico
He (Walker) must be on the phone with the Koch Brothers asking them for advice.
~ comment by GOPunishAmerica on Politico
Call Mitt to see if he can convince the judge to self-deport.
~ comment by QueLio on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
I'm beginning to doubt he ever read the law he is attempting to repeal. This is the conversation that took place on how he made his decision: "Hi judge, this is Mary Bell, President of WEAC, issue a ruling to repeal this law or I'll personally see that you don't get a single vote from a public union employee in your next election. Have a good day - click"
~ comment by Muktown Resident on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
Legislating from the bench. A Dane county specialty. Wonder how many million more dollars the unions are going to cost the good taxpayers of Wisconsin before this is overturned.
I have about as much respect for this judge as I have for AL Qaeda.
~ comment by TerryN on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
Without unions you would not have 8 hour work days, fair wages, over time pay, benefits of any kind, safety requirements, paid vacations, medical leave etc, etc,. Whether you are in a union or not you have benefited from unions.
Perhaps you would like to go back to the working conditions of the early 1900's, I don't.
~ comment by clandrummer on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
This was never an issue for my entire 50 years of living in Wisconsin until the GOP manufactured it as part of Walker's Divide and Conquer strategy.
~ comment by GDFreethinker on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
Next to be declared unconstitutional is Walkers attempt to impede the right to free assembly.
~ comment by Hartland Badger on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
If the POS Walker would have worked with these people like he said he would do before the election this stuff wouldn't keep happening. Walker, the liar,is to blame. The GOP wouldn't even acknowledge workers on Labor day. They are anti labor Neocons.
Walmart wage scale is what they want for all workers. Owners worth 100s of billions, that pay their employees less than 10 bucks a hour with no benefits, and the every shrinking middle class of WI, can't get enough of them WI Neocons have given birth to the 2 biggest lying scum bags of all time. John Doe Walker, and Lying Ryan.
Hey WI people, take notice how the rest of the nation is making lying Ryan admit all his lies. You are the only dummies that buy these 2 guys bs hook, line, and sinker. You all deserve to end up poor, and if you keep voting the way you do, you will. WI you can't fix stupid. Now get out there and ensure yourself a huge pay, and benefit cut.
~ comment by samawry on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
Typical Walker. The judge, whether one agrees with his reasoning or not, based his decision on constitutional rights. Walker, in reply, points to the results of an election (as if a majority can vote to take away the minority's rights). Just another sign of how little the great patriot Walker really understands or cares about the Constitution or individual liberty. Of course, the flock is rushing to criticize the ruling, but I'll be interested to see if any base their criticism on a Constitutional argument. I won't be holding my breath, though.
~ comment by Big Picture on Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal
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