Wisc. Assembly Min. Ldr. Peter Barca told
legislators the stealthy meeting was illegal on the
night it was held, March 9, 2011.
AP:
A Wisconsin judge has struck down a law taking away nearly all collective bargaining rights from most state workers.
Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi ruled Thursday that Republican legislators violated Wisconsin's open meetings law during the run up to passage. She says that renders the law void.
The issue here is that to pass Scott Walker's bill, the Wisconsin state legislature held a stealthy committee meeting without giving the legally-required 24 hours notice. The aim of the meeting was to catch opponents of the legislation unprepared, violating both the letter and spirit of the state's open meetings law.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will hear arguments on June 6 to decide whether it will take up the case. You can read the today's decision here.