Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi ruled Gov. Scott Walker's controversial bill limiting collective bargaining rights for state workers void Thursday, saying Republican legislators violated Wisconsin's open meetings law when they passed the bill March 9.
Assembly Bill 11, which was introduced in the State Assembly February 15, sought to make public employees contribute more to health care and pensions. However, many demonstrators argued it was designed to weaken employee unions.
On March 18, Sumi issued a temporary restraining order which halted the enforcement of the bill. Her decision Wednesday, however, voids the bill until the Wisconsin Supreme Court takes up the case.
State Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, R-Juneau, said in a statement a ""separation-of-powers issue"" was evident in Sumi's decision, in which he said ""one Madison judge [stood] in the way of the other democratically-elected branches of government.""
State Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, applauded Sumi's decision, saying it restored Wisconsin's tradition of open government.
""This ruling sets an important precedent that when the Legislature meets, the people must have a seat at the table,"" Barca said in a statement. "" This is a huge victory for Wisconsin democracy.""
In a 33 page explanation of the decision, Sumi emphasized it is not the court's responsibility to determine the quality of public policy but rather to "" apply the rule of law to the facts before [the court].""
