Wisconsin Officials Implementing Anti-Union Law, Ignoring Court Order- FDL

[WillyT]

Wisconsin Officials Implementing Anti-Union Law, Ignoring Court Order
By: David Dayen - FDL
Tuesday March 29, 2011 7:30 am

<snip>

It’s been really incredible to watch the situation in Wisconsin over the past few days, because it’s taking on the cast of a banana republic. The Secretary of State has authority over publication of the laws. It’s a specific responsibility given to that constitutional officer. He was barred from doing so by a county judge. He has said publicly that it’s not in effect. Nobody else has the authority.

The Walker Administration doesn’t care.

Saturday, DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch said in a written statement: “Upon the advice of my legal counsel, the Department of Administration will begin the process of implementing (the law) as we are required to do the day after a bill is lawfully published. We are mindful that this Act is continuing to be litigated and we will continue to be responsive to the courts as the law begins to be applied.”

An aide to Huebsch said in a text message that the secretary “believes” the budget-repair bill has “been lawfully published.” <...>

Increased health insurance premiums and retirement contributions for state workers were due to take effect Sunday, according to information on the Office of State Employment Relations website.

In addition, the state will no longer automatically deduct union dues, another feature of the bill. The first paychecks affected will be those for April 21.

There’s a hearing today in the court of the same judge who issued the temporary restraining order that was supposed to block implementation of the law. That hearing is happening at this hour. But if the state already ignored one restraining order, who’s to say they won’t ignore another? Huebsch, the cabinet secretary, said that he would follow any court ruling specifically stopping the Department of Administration from carrying out the law, but now we’re playing a semantic game. That enjoinment already exists, Scott Walker simply chose to ignore it.

Even if this gets worked out today, it’s already had a chilling effect...

<snip>

Link: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/03/29/wisconsin-officials-implementing-anti-union-law-ignoring-court-order/

:kick:

[Mojeoux]

1. (sing) Scum Scum Scum Scum, Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum

Scum Scum Scum Scum, Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum Scum
(to the tune of Monty Python's Spam Song)

[PeaceNikki]

2. The hearing is over for today. Judge stated that her language was either misinterpreted or ignored,

barred further implementation of WiAct10 and says that those who act in willful defiance of a court order place themselves in peril.

It's important to note that this judge was appointed by our last Republican Governor - Tommy Thompson.

[murielm99]

4. Do you have a link? nt

[PeaceNikki]

7. Live tweets, local news.

http://twitter.com/#!/analieseeicher

http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/118839999.html

[WillyT]

6. Thank You For That !!!

:hi:

[murielm99]

3. Does anyone know the outcome of the hearing?

Scottie thinks he is saving the budget? Just wait. The lawsuits will start to fly. I hope some of these people find a way to sue him and the Fitzgeralds personally. The lawyers are going to make a killing.

[PeaceNikki]

5. Look up.

She hasn't ruled on the 2 issues at hand yet because there's more testimony but clarified that the TRO prevents it from being law.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

10. Here are a couple details from the hearing - Going Quite Well, I think

Developments in today's hearing-- March 29, 2011 9:55 a.m.
SOS Doug LaFollette was very upset because his thug appointed lawyer would not represent his interests. Judge Sumi ordered he be appointed an independent attorney at state expense.

Madison -- A Dane County judge said Tuesday she is concerned the Department of Justice has a conflict in representing Secretary of State Doug La Follette and must provide him with independent counsel.

“There is so great a divergence now between the position that the attorney general is taking in this court and the court of appeals and now the Supreme Court and the interests of the secretary of state and the office of the secretary of state that I believe Mr. La Follette is entitled to independent counsel at the expense of the state,” said Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi.

The issue arose after La Follette grew frustrated that his attorneys were not asking questions of a witness.

“My attorney won’t ask a question on my behalf,” La Follette told the court.

More specifically, the issue is that La Follette and the Department of Justice attorneys disagree over the power of the secretary of state.

Great VIDEO - interview with Doug LaFollette S.o.S.
http://www.wrn.com/2011/03/judge-orders-separate-counse... /

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At the end of the session today, about 4:50pm...

(AP) -- A Wisconsin judge has ruled that there should be no further implementation of a law taking away nearly all collective bargaining rights for public workers.

Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi said Tuesday that her earlier restraining order saying the law shouldn't be enacted had either been ignored or misinterpreted.

VIA TWITTER

Sumi is clear: ALL further action of Act 10 is enjoined. Court is adjourned.
@ACLUMadison: Sumi chastises anyone acting in "willful defiance" of a TRO. Could face punishments. Further implementation of Act 10 is enjoined.


@ACLUMadison: Sumi says she dismayed that even with simple fix for this conflict (open mtgs issue), parties are pursuing litigation at taxpayers' expense

[Lasher]

8. I want to see the fascist Walker dragged out in chains.

But I'm never going to see that no matter what he does.

[Blue Owl]

9. You mean a guy who was kicked out of college for cheating did this???

What a shocker!

:sarcasm: