Dane County Circuit Court Judge Jacob Frost on Thursday extended the pause he placed on his December order that struck down the majority of Act 10 and ruled that several of its provisions are unconstitutional and unenforceable in Wisconsin, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The law restricted collective bargaining rights for many statewide public employees.
Behind his decision this week to grant the Legislature’s motion for a stay pending an appeal, Frost cited the “risk of utter chaos” that could result if a higher court overturns his decision amid new union negotiations. He said that if a stay were not issued, public employers and employees might begin new collective bargaining negotiations, which would become a moot point if his order is overturned by the Court of Appeals.
The case will likely go before the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has a 4–3 liberal majority.
