Lawless Wisconsin GOPers Defy Court Order Against Anti-Union Law
Last week, a Wisconsin judge issued an order“restrain[ing] and enjoin[ing] the further implementation” of Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) anti-worker law until she has time to fully consider a lawsuit claiming that the law was not validly enacted. Yet, despite this clear and unambiguous order, Walker and his allies have decided that they are not bound by the law:In a stunning twist, Gov. Scott Walker’s legislation limiting collective bargaining for public workers was published Friday despite a judge’s hold on the measure, prompting a dispute over whether it takes effect Saturday. [...]
“It’s published,” [Senate Majority Leader Scott] Fitzgerald said. “It’s law. That’s what I contend.” [...]
Walker’s top cabinet official, Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch, gave only a brief statement reacting to Friday’s news.
“Today the administration was notified that the LRB published the budget-repair bill as required by law,” he said. “The administration will carry out the law as required.”
Under Wisconsin law, someone who intentionally defies a court order is in contempt of court, and can be fined up to $2,000 for each day that they disobey the court or imprisoned for up to six months.
Ohio GOP Revises Union Bill
Lawmakers, Fearing Legal Fights and a Voter Backlash, Soften Some Provisions
BY KRIS MAHER AND JAMES R. HAGERTY
COLUMBUS, Ohio—The most ambitious attempt by a state this year to restrict union rights is being scaled back to reflect some Republicans' concerns that it is vulnerable to legal challenges and would spark a backlash.
The leader of the effort to downsize Ohio Senate Bill 5 is Sen. Bill Seitz, a conservative who was behind the state law banning same-sex marriages and rules limiting damages in civil lawsuits. Mr. Seitz and five other Republican state senators voted against the bill and are pressing for revisions in the state House, which is considering the bill now.
The back-and-forth among Ohio Republicans ...
Thousands of union supporters march through downtown LA
Saturday, March 26, 2011
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Some 10,000 people marched through downtown Los Angeles supporting union workers in Wisconsin in what protesters have dubbed, "Solidarity Saturday."
Wisconsin passed a law stripping public employee unions of collective bargaining rights and local protesters say it could happen in Southern California.
Union members and their allies gathered at the Los Angeles Convention Center and marched onward to Pershing Square in hopes of sending out a message that collective bargaining rights cannot be taken away from unions.
A controversial bill in Wisconsin has pitted Democrats and Republicans against each other, limiting collective bargaining rights of government employees.
The bill was signed into law by Republican Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Legislators and governors in several other states are seeking to adopt similar laws, citing budget problems.
The bill was blocked by a judge but published online on Friday by the state's Legislative Reference Bureau, which essentially means it would go into effect.
Ultimately, though, the state Supreme Court will likely decide the law's fate. A state appeals court earlier in the week asked the Supreme Court to take up one of several lawsuits challenging its approval of the bill.
The president of Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin came to California for Saturday's rally, and though firefighters and law enforcement officials are exempt from the bill, Mahlon Mitchell said he came to support all workers and protect the rights of the middle class.
"I think the future of unions are in trouble. They're in danger. But this is not just about unions. This is about the middle class. It's about a movement that the middle class has to stand up for themselves, because if we don't stand up now, we'll continue to have more attacks later," said Mitchell.
Marchers were making their way through downtown before reaching Pershing Square, where a rally was planned with music and speakers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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