Red, White and Blue

Judge to issue written decision on Act 10 union law stay request

By the Associated Press

CREATED Sep. 19, 2012 - UPDATED: Sep. 19, 2012

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  • Melissa McCrady reports. Video by 620wtmj.com

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin judge who overturned key parts of Gov. Scott Walker's restrictions on collective bargaining says he will issue a written decision on a request to put that ruling on hold.

Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on Tuesday filed a motion asking Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas to put the decision on hold pending an appeal.

Colas on Friday ruled that the law was unconstitutional as it applied to school and local government workers.

The law barred collective bargaining for most public workers over anything other than wage increases no greater than inflation.

Colas gave attorneys who challenged the law until Monday to file briefs. Van Hollen has until Sept. 26 to respond.

Colas didn't say when he would issue his decision. Van Hollen asked him to act quickly.

In 2011, the Supreme Court restored hte law after a different Dane County judge blocked it.

"I think you're going to see the same thing again," said Governor Scott Walker to TODAY'S TMJ4's Melissa McCrady.

"(Local government officials) are very concerned about the ability to have a stay because many of them are working on their budgers right now...my hope is that a stay is granted so local governments don't have to make horrible decisions, and ultimately the law is upheld, which we think it weill be."

Attorneys on the other side of the issue argue that a stay is unnecessary, and if the judge does not stay the order, then the appeals court will take itup.