New Lawsuit Against Bargaining Law

     A coalition of Wisconsin unions has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the recently passes Wisconsin Act 10.  The lawsuit contends that the Act violates the First and Fourteenth Ammendments of the constitution because it encumbers people's right to "bargain, organize, and associate for the purpose of engaging in union activity" and because it discriminates among classes of municipal employees by exempting police, firefighters, and state troopers.  This is the first lawsuit to actually attack the bill on its merits, although it should be noted that it does not challenge the pension and insurance contributions of employees, as the unions involved in the lawsuit have "made it clear from day one that Wisconsin public sector workers would do their part to share in the sacrafice and keep our state moving forward" according to a statement issued by the AFL-CIO.  The case has been filed in the Western District of Wisconsin and assigned to District Judge William M. Conley, who was appointed to the position by President Barak Obama.

LaFollette Announces Date of Publication

     Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug LaFollette has announced that he will publish the recently re-enacted Wisconsin Act 10 in the state's official newspaper on June 28, 2011.  That means that the law will officially take effect on June 29.

Supreme Court Rules on Act 10

    With a shockingly short turnaround, the Wisconsin Supreme Court reinstated the controversial Budget Repair Bill last night around 5 pm, just moments before the Legislature was set to include the controversial measure in the 2011-2013 Biannual Budget.  The court ruled that Dane County circuit court judge Maryanne Sumi's ruling was void from outset as she had acted outside of her jurisdiction in declaring the law null.  In the majority opinion, the Court concluded that "...the Legislature did not violate the Wisconsin Constitution by the process it used." These tactics were to enact Wisconsin Act 10 in a special legislative session with less than 24 hours public notice.  It is unclear how this ruling might affect the contract signed between Local 474 and Vilas County.  Stay tuned for more updates.

June Regular Meeting

   The Local 474 regular meeting scheduled for June 13, 2011 was cancelled due to the lack of a quorum.  The next regular meeting will be on Monday, August 8, 2011 at 4:05 pm in the Courthouse Conference Rooms.  Please make sure to mark your calendars.

Recall Election Set

     The Government Accountability Board has set the recall election for Senator Jim Holperin (D-Conover).  The primary election will be held July 19, 2011 with the general electios to be held August 16, 2011.  Republicans Kim Simac - president of the Northwoods Patriots - and Lincoln County Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Lussow have both announced plans to run for Holperin's seat, which will necessitate at least a Republican primary on the 19th.

GAB Considers Last Three Recalls

     The Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) meets this morning at 9:00 AM to consider Democratic challenges against the three recall petitions.  Democrats filed an appeal regarding the petitions to recall Senators Dave Hansen (D-Green Bay), Jim Holperin (D-Conover), and Robert Wirch (D-Pleasant Prairie) alledging several improprieties.  The GAB will see memos from its staff making reccomendations on how to proceed, but the bottom line laid out in the memos is that in each case, even if the GAB decides to throw out the improper signatures, there are still enough legal signatures to force an election for each senator.  The GAB will hear testimony from both sides and from their staff and either throw out each petition or schecule an election date.  GAB spokesman Reid Magney says that the cases on all three petitions should be decided by 6:00 PM.  We will keep you updated as we know more.