Judge dismisses (one of three) lawsuit(s) challenging Wis. union law

[villager]

Source: AP

Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Wis. union law

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A judge has dismissed one of three lawsuits filed challenging Wisconsin's divisive law restricting collective bargaining rights.

Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit filed by Democratic Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk saying she does not have standing to bring the action. The judge says state law forbids an agency or arm of government like a county to challenge the constitutionality of state laws.

Another lawsuit brought by the Dane County district attorney remains. <snip>

A third lawsuit challenging the law pushed by Gov. Scott Walker has been brought by firefighters and other public workers.

Read more: http://www.wqow.com/Global/story.asp?S=14448200

[Ellipsis]

1. Judge Sumi dismisses Dane County's collective bargaining lawsuit

Source: WIS STATE JOURNAL

Dane County and its leaders cannot sue the state of Wisconsin to block the controversial law restricting collective bargaining rights of public employees, a Dane County judge ruled Thursday.

Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi said that the county, along with County Executive Kathleen Falk and County Board Chairman Scott McDonell, do not have authority under state law to challenge the constitutionality of state laws and dismissed their lawsuit against state Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch and state Department of Health Services Secretary Dennis Smith.

Sumi left one small shred of the case standing, if only temporarily.

She held off ruling on whether Falk and McDonell can sue the state in their personal capacities and as taxpayers until a hearing is held to determine whether she will consider a second amended complaint in the lawsuit which adds those claims. That document was filed earlier this week.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_7b21817a-66ce-11e0-8d00-001cc4c002e0.html

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Don't Freak out about this. This was a SECOND suit that was filed based under the 3/5ths quorum rule. This suit will be back.

The state Journal is a conservative pub. owned by Lee enterprise.

http://www.lee.net/newspapers/

[iwishiwas]

2. It is disappointing right after we hear Walker admit that union-busting

will NOT save the state money.

[PurityOfEssence]

3. Yes, well a lot of people are getting an education these days...

We're in very uncharted territory here, and both sides are figuring it out.

[No Elephants]

4. Who SHOULD sue over absence of a quorum--the Wisconsin 14.