Friday, March 25, 2011

Wisconsin Collective Bargaining Bill Published; Will Go Into Effect Tomorrow

"It's Done"



The Gateway Pundit
March 25, 2011
By Jim Hoft

The controversial Republican collective bargaining bill was published today in Wisconsin. The administration will carry out the law as required starting tomorrow. The restraining order by radical Judge Sumi was issued against Democratic Secretary of State Doug La Follette, but the bill was published by the reference bureau who was not included in the temporary restraining order.

JSOnline reported:

A controversial bill limiting collective bargaining for public workers has been officially published despite a temporary restraining order barring its publication by one state official.

The legislation was published Friday with a footnote that acknowledges the restraining order, but says state law “requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to publish every act within 10 working days after its date of enactment.”

The restraining order was issued against Democratic Secretary of State Doug La Follette, but the bill was published by the reference bureau. The reference bureau was not included in the temporary restraining order.

Laws normally take effect a day after they are published, and Gov. Scott Walker’s administration is proceeding as if it takes effect Saturday.

“Today the administration was notified that the LRB published the budget-repair bill as required by law,” said a statement from Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch. “The administration will carry out the law as required.”

La Follette and the two top officials at the reference bureau – Chief Stephen Miller and Deputy Chief Cathlene Hanaman – could not be reached Friday. The Legislature is run by Republicans, but the reference bureau is a nonpartisan agency widely respected by both political parties.

John Jagler, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), said he presumed the law would take effect Saturday. He said he did not know if the speaker spoke with the reference bureau about the matter before it was published.

The publication of the law came the same day a third court action was filed challenging Walker’s budget-repair law that sharply curtails union bargaining by public employees.