Arrogance, Thy Name Is Wisconsin GOP
Holy crap, the GOP in Wisconsin must think they’re untouchable. Either that or they just don’t care if they burn the whole state down. This story is a bit complicated and involves arcana of Wisconsin state law. I hope this excerpt explains the issue:
After splitting the bill and jamming it through both houses without Democrats present, Wisconsin Republicans are now taking the position that the law goes into effect on Saturday even though just last week, a judge issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) enjoining any implementation of the law while the court considers several lawsuits challenging it. Here’s what happened as far as I understand it:
The Republicans jammed the bill through on March 9. Walker signed the bill on March 11. Secretary of State La Follette designated today as the date of publication. After the court issued the TRO, La Follette told the Reference Bureau (a non-partisan legislative bureau which publishes bills) that he was rescinding the publication date. The Reference Bureau published the law today anyway calling the publication “merely procedural,” and stating that it was required to publish the law within 10 working days of the governor signing the bill, on the date designated by the Secretary of State. (If La Follette rescinded the publication date, then why did the Reference Bureau publish it anyway? Inquiring minds want to know.)
In any event, and despite the Reference Bureau calling the publication “procedural” and categorically stating that publication does not equal implementation, the question becomes is that true?1 Is publication implementation or is it just a procedural measure? It’s a question the courts will have to answer.
Of course Walker and Cronies (specifically Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald) are claiming that the law has been published and therefore goes into effect tomorrow, which makes exactly zero sense since the judge enjoined its implementation. Fitzgerald is claiming—stupidly—that because the TRO does not reference the Reference Bureau specifically, that the TRO does not apply to the Reference Bureau.
The short explanation is that Walker published the new union-busting bill despite a judge’s order not to by publishing it through a state agency not specifically named in the temporary restraining order. Now Walker is claiming that means the bill is now state law.
We will have to see how this plays out. I’m no lawyer but I can’t imagine that there is one pissed-off Wisconsin judge. I wonder if the judge will sanction the state?
Related update: Wisconsin labor groups have announced that they have already gathered enough signatures to force a recall election of Randy Hopper (the one with the mistress with the state job). They have until May 2 to gather signatures.
Tags: Scott Walker, Unions, Wisconsin, Wisconsin recalls
I wish they wouldn’t announce the recall petition totals so soon. They should keep going way over the top to protect against challenges, and to build a GOTV list.
Yeah, I agree about the recall petitions. They had already announced the halfway point and didn’t plan to announce again until they filed the petitions. I’m also unsure what they mean by 100%. do they mean 100% of goal or just 100% of signatures needed? They will need to have a cushion for petition challenges.
My guess is that the judge can hold Walker in contempt. Wouldn’t it be nice if she also ordered him to jail on the contempt citation?
two words: Banana Republicans
Florida: House OKs bill banning automatic union dues deduction
Orlando Sentinel March 25, 2011 Kathleen Haughney
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House delivered a major blow to public employee unions Friday, approving a bill that would ban automatic dues deduction from a government paycheck and require members to sign off on the use of their dues for political purposes.
Democrats and Republicans fought over the legislation for just under two hours. Democrats and labor unions have accused conservatives of “union-busting” and said the bill was more about political payback than public policy. Unions have typically been big backers of Democratic candidates.
Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary, the House sponsor of the legislation, said this was simply the state’s movement to get out of the dues deduction business and let the unions take care of it.
“It’s a bill that empowers membership of labor unions,” Dorworth said.
The measure, HB 1021, passed by a 73-40 vote, with three Republican lawmakers siding with the Democrats.
they can pass this in the Florida House – but are on their third attempt to outlaw bestiality?
what does THAT tell you?
I’m not sure, but I’m never going fishing or camping with anyone who’s served in the Florida legislature.
It’s alright, skip — our avocado friend here is probably volunteering for duty as we speak.
I’ll protect ya skipper!!
Thanks buddy.
But it seems more than I will need protection here soon from perverts, pederasts and punks.
Abercrombie & Fitch is now marketing PADDED bikini tops for eight year old girls!
Now see, that’s where a well placed pal[read industrial spy] could have hipped me to this LAST year.
I could have then counter-promoted a line of bathing suits for young lads with a little “help” in the crotch for those in need.
This would “help” maintain their self-esteem ’til puberty and the testosterone kicked into high gear and, hopefully, filled “out” their bathing suits naturally.
anytime, buddy!!
Abercrombie & Fitch should be ashamed of themselves.
Oh how the far, far righties in Sussex must envy the Wisconsin GOP, above the law and doing as they choose. Should be interesting to see how the court feels about this. But it’s all part of a trend. The GOP is burying themselves again to avoid the stress of actually doing something to help instead of hinder.
Republicans need to constantly create a new outrage in order to put the past outrage out of the public mind. That they will ignore the court findings is predictable.