Wis. AG aims to keep anti-union law in effect

Demonstrators at the state Capitol in Madison, Wis., protest Gov. Scott Walker's bill to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many state workers, Feb. 26, 2011. / AP Photo/Andy Manis

(AP) MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says he will seek permission to enforce a state law that effectively ended collective bargaining for public employees while his office appeals a judge's ruling striking it down.

Van Hollen's office said Saturday it will seek a stay of Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas's decision overturning most of the law championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

The Republican attorney general says his office believes the law is "constitutional in all respects."

Wisconsin judge strikes down collective bargaining law

Van Hollen says the law should "continue in effect as it has for more than a year while the appellate courts address the legal issues."

Colas ruled Friday that the law violates the state and federal constitutions and is null and void. The governor's office has said it will appeal.

[sjc_1]

The ruling was that this violated both state and federal constitutions. That says that they will have to rewrite the law, or it is null and void.

You can not take away the right to peacefully assemble nor can you take away the right to free speech. Collective bargaining was established in the 1930s, it is a citizen's fundamental right.

[venusvegasvada]

Well the last time I checked, the way our Govt worked was the Judicial branch makes a decision and it sticks, unless it's over-ruled by a higher court. Period.

The Legislative branch cannot over-rule the Judicial branch, it's ridiculous and frankly, pretty amazing they would basically say they are wanting to ignore the judges ruling.

That takes a lot of brass. To tell the Judicial branch to go #@$@ themselves when someone in the Legislative branch doesn't like their ruling.

Imagine a special interest group in Congress telling the Supreme Court, no. We don't like your last ruling so we are going to simply ignore it and disobey you until we can figure out a way around it.

Wow.

[hopin4sumluc]

Thats called a check and balance, since you obviously went to public school there in Chicago. The right to appeal is in the Constitution so the liberal judges in this country can't take over and rule from the bench. :) The anti negotiation is to save the city and state from bankruptcy and to keep the unions from making it happen through the whimsical desires of their spoiled members.

[sjc_1]

The legislative branch can pass a law without the offending provision, or they can pass a constitutional amendment. The court does NOT have the final say.

[skeezix06]

People have a right to demand low wages and few or no benefits!
USA! USA! USA!

It's patriotic to be underpaid and have no benefits.
USA! USA! USA!

[hopin4sumluc]

It is also unpatriotic to get overpaid for work you don't do. The rest of us get fired when we dont do our jobs, why should teachers be an exception. They strike because they know when their job is on the line based on student testing, they will soon be unemployed.

[nancy_naive]

1st Rule of Contract Law -- a contract signed under duress is null.

[David_Tampa]

Even Henry Ford figured out that if he paid his employees enough to buy the cars they were making that he would flourish. Ford was the most Conservative anti-semitic ever.

[stevex47]

It's just the birthers magic trick.

Blame the teachers because the birthers ruined the economy for years to come.

Mission Accomplished boosh lovers.

[mav547166]

Is that you Hoffa?

[RetiredArmy_Nurse]

This AG sneaked into office pretending to be moderate. Like most repugs he showed his true colors once there. Wisconsin is the real casualty in this war on workers and their rights. Some 30% of the state has stopped speaking to one another, including not just acquaintances, but close family & friends. Government that divides us is bad government indeed. Wisconsin is now a poster child for a good state gone bad. It will take decades for the state to heal and right itself back to its once proud & progressive tradition. To think a radical governor, legislature, & state supreme court could tear the state down as far as they have in just 2 years should be a wakeup call to all of freedom loving America.

[ToolMangler1]

by vsmit September 15, 2012 9:17 PM EDT
"there are those who will not like the change. Those who are suckling the teat of the taxpayers."


Let's see now!! The GOP/TEA PARTY had total control of America during "Dubya's" reign and they sent the Nation straight to the Bottom. Romney/Bain and others were so busy 'Shipping american Corporations' to China they failed to notice the 50 Million people that were made jobless when those jobs went to China. Now that they have a tiny chance to reclaim the White-House, the first thing they want to do is 'repeal' everything that President Obama has managed to get done in spite of an "Obstructionist House of Representatives". They also want to remove 'ALL' Government agencies that help those that need help.
The Romney/Ryan, GOP/TEA PARTY "SUCK"

(The Romney/Ryan, GOP/TEA PARTY Has plans for America, Ship all manufacturing over seas and let the unemployed and sick move out of the nation or starve to death)

[harv823]

Van Hollen, don't waste your time appealing.I really don't think you'll win.

[davidd5063]

Well if you can find you a GOP appointed judge, I'm sure he'll throw legal precedence out the window for the lawless GOP in Wis. - GW's appointees have demonstrated a complete willingness to do whatever Rove tells them.

[retiredgustav]

I think it maybe more of the Koch brothers.

[stevehamilton858]

I can't tell you how glad I am that I live in California; with all of our other shortcomings, we at least have an AG who upholds the law, whether he personally likes it or not. and I'm glad that my aunt, who was a proud Wisconsin resident for many years, passe away a few years ago, so that she didn't have to feel the shame caused by these two renegades. If the citizens of this state don't act to get rid of these two, they will have earned the right to be called cheeseheads ( only not in good humor)!

[sjc_1]

The AG will not get permission, it goes to harm. There was no law, now this law restricts freedoms. They will not allow it to be enforced during appeal.

[Closeted_Moderate]

I would hope that were the case, but you just dont know anymore with what's been going on in Wisconsin and Michigan's State Govt's lately.

[stevehamilton858]

I hope you're right. It seems to me that the country is fighting the wrong enemies. The Koch brothers have already done more harm to America and the Constitution than Osama bin Laden could have if he had lived another ten years.