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

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

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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...

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

:kick:

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