Government in Limbo: AG Wants Collective Bargaining Decision Stopped

As expected, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Tuesday filed a motion to stay the latest decision about Act 10, the collective bargaining law.

Last Friday, Dane County Circuit Court Judge Juan Colas ruled that parts of Act 10 are unconstitutional because the law violates the guarantee of freedom of speech and citizens' freedom of association. Colas also determined that Act 10 does not offer equal protection under the law because it creates a separate class of state workers.

In his motion to the Dane County Circuit Court, Van Hollen outlines his belief that the decision will be overturned on appeal. Until the appellate court rules, Van Hollen believes a stay is appropriate to avoid any confusion for municipalities and school districts that have negotiated contracts based on the rules of the collective bargaining law.

“Act 10 addressed real and significant financial problems faced by local governments. It makes no sense to force a return to a broken system before the appellate process is completed," he said in a written statement to media.

The School District of Waukesha, route: {:controller=>"listings", :action=>"show", :id=>"school-district-of-waukesha"} --> was set to begin negotiations with its teachers on Monday but