One way to get around those pesky lawsuits is to pretend they don't exist.
The question all weekend was whether or not publication of Wisconsin's Budget Repair Bill by Legislative Research Bureau instead of the Secretary of State counted as making it law. The consensus was generally no.
Except for Walker and his gang. They are now implementing the law - taking union dues out of payroll collection and charging more for healthcare and retirement.
State stops collecting union dues, starts charging more for health care
Gov. Scott Walker's administration is no longer collecting dues on behalf of state unions and as of Sunday began charging employees more for health care and their pensions, even though nonpartisan legislative attorneys say the changes are not yet law.
Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch said Monday administration attorneys have determined the law is now in effect. State workers will receive paychecks April 21 that reflect the changes, he said in a conference call with reporters.
What do they say about doing things now, asking permission later?
Updated: 4:45pm
Ugh. Now the AG is in on the act:
Attorney General argues bill is law, temporary halt is moot
Van Hollen argued in a court filing Monday since La Follette had specified a date for publication and LRB had followed through on that date, the court's temporary halt on La Follette publishing no longer had any impact.
But officials with both the legislative reference bureau and legislative council claimed La Follette's separate actions on the bill were also needed for the bill to have the power of law. La Follette has also taken that position.