MADISON (WKOW) -- Lawmakers and union members are reacting to Friday's ruling by Dane County Judge Juan Colas that strikes down the state's collective bargaining law.
Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona):
"The action of the Dane County Circuit Court today reaffirms the importance of maintaining rights for the working men and women of Wisconsin.
Restoring the rights of workers to collectively bargain is a key part of building back Wisconsin's economy. Because of Governor Walker and Legislative Republicans, tens of thousands of workers could no longer negotiate over the hours they work, the safety conditions they labor under, or the health insurance and retirement benefits they and their families depend on.
This ruling is a positive step forward to restoring rights that were abruptly stripped away and opens the door to allow workers and employers to negotiate agreements that are mutually beneficial."
Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend):
"The decision reached today by Dane County Judge Colas is further evidence of the complete abandonment of the rule of law in this state and country. Hopefully, the state's Supreme Court will take swift action and Act 10 will be restored.
The idea that a judge would find a pretext to say that it is against the law for government employees to pay for part of their pension and some of their healthcare benefits, to make it easier for a school district to remove a bad teacher, for a school district to impose a dress code on teachers, or for a city or county to promote employees based on seniority rather than merit is absurd.
Some judges today are rendering decisions one would expect from a banana republic dictatorship or newly independent country in which respect for the law has not been established. I am sure all counties, municipalities and school districts want to know where they stand. Therefore, it is extremely important the Supreme Court take up this case immediately.
I also hope this serves as a clarion call to policymakers that we must no longer allow our education system to be a breeding ground for left-wing extremism. It should be a particular embarrassment that Judge Colas is a product of the UW Law School, so is Judge Sumi who earlier tried to overturn Act 10. Rather than wasting money on current diversity bureaucrats, we must guarantee intellectual diversity at the University of Wisconsin in general and the Law School in particular, so that some of their graduates have a respect for the separation of powers and the rule of law.
I strongly encourage the state Supreme Court to take immediate action to overturn this ruling."
