Judge Strikes Down Wisconsin's Anti-Union Law

A Wisconsin county judge has struck down the state’s controversial law limiting public unions’ collective bargaining rights, ruling that Republicans broke the state’s open meeting law when passing it. In her ruling, Judge Maryann Sumi wrote that she wasn’t ruling against the law because it was “controversial or unpopular,” but because the DA had shown “clear and convincing evidence” that Republicans hadn’t given proper notice before convening a committee to vote on the bill.

“It’s what we were looking for,” the county’s district attorney, a Democrat, tells the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. But she added, “It’s not over yet. I’m positive of that.” The case will now go to the state Supreme Court, which is scheduled to hear arguments on June 6. Republicans say they’ll pass the law again in the 2011-2013 budget if they have to. (More Wisconsin stories.)