On March 10, 2011 Wisconsin lawmakers voted to strip nearly all collective bargaining rights from the state’s public workers. This vote marked the end of the heated standoff between labor rights advocates and state Republicans and was seen as a victory for all Republicans nationwide who, in an effort to cut government spending, have targeted unions.

According to aolnews.com, in a 53-42 vote, without any Democratic support, the state’s legislature passed Governor Scott Walker’s controversial proposal. Before the vote on the measure, Governor Walker commented to Scott Bauer of the Associated Press, saying “we were willing to talk, we were willing to work, but in the end at some point the public wants us to move forward.” The measure is considered one of the strongest blows to union power in recent years. The law forbids most government workers in Wisconsin from collectively bargaining for wage increases and requires public workers to contribute more towards their pensions and health insurance.

Governor Walker’s law has triggered a nationwide debate over labor rights for public employees. In Wisconsin the proposal drew thousands of protestors to the state capitol for days of demonstration. Similar bargaining restrictions for unions have been introduced in Ohio’s legislature, and other states are debating measures that would as well. 

In order to justify his proposal, Gov. Walker has continuously argued that collective bargaining is a budget issue. The proposed changes allow the local governments to confront the budget cuts in order to close the $3.6 billion deficit of the state. Without the changes 1,500 state workers may have been laid off and other cuts to balance the budget would need to be made.

On March 18, 2011 a county judge blocked the law, limiting collective bargaining rights for workers from taking effect. Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi issued a temporary restraining order barring the law from being published. Sumi argued that the legislative committee violated the state’s open meetings law when it pushed the bill through on a Republican line vote. The ruling by Sumi marked a setback for Gov. Walker who sought legislation to curtail public employee collective bargaining rights.    

On March 21, 2011 agency attorneys Maria Lazar and Steven Kilpatrick wrote a petition to the 4^th District Court of Appeals saying that Dane County Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi can rule on a law only after it takes effect. In the petition they wrote, “In the interests of the administration of justice, it is necessary…that this Court step forward and undo this inappropriate act.” Although the law passed, it is on hold as the legal challenges continue to go through the court system.