MADISON, Wis. | A Wisconsin judge on Thursday did what thousands of pro-union demonstrators and boycotting Democratic lawmakers couldn’t, forcing Republican Gov. Scott Walker to halt plans to implement a law that would strip most public employees of their collective-bargaining rights and cut their pay.
Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issued a declaration stating in no uncertain terms that the collective-bargaining law that led to weeks of large protests at the state Capitol had not taken effect, contradicting Republican arguments that it had because a state office published it online.
Hours later, Mr. Walker said his administration would comply, despite misgivings about the order.
“In my mind, it’s not a matter of if the law goes back [into effect], it’s just a matter of when,” the governor said.
Democrats and union leaders said Judge Sumi’s declaration showed the arrogance that Mr. Walker and his allies, including top aide, Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch, have shown in trying to push through the polarizing law.
“Mr. Walker and Mr. Huebsch chose to ignore her warning that they were jeopardizing the finances and stability of state government, apparently believing they are above the law. This morning with her added order she has taken away their last excuse,” Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca said.
Republicans had overcome ear-splitting protests and the Senate Democrats’ attempt to prevent a vote by fleeing the state, but Judge Sumi’s declaration Thursday put Mr. Walker and his legislative allies on the defensive, leaving them to decide between waiting for the legal challenge to be resolved and trying to pass the measure again.
The Republican leaders of the Senate and Assembly have said they don’t plan to try passing the bill again after the Legislature resumes its session Tuesday, but in a saga that has already included several strange twists, a change of heart wouldn’t be surprising. Both sides expect that the law will ultimately end up before the state Supreme Court, where Republicans are confident they will prevail.
Meanwhile Thursday, the first charges were filed over any of the numerous death threats Republicans lawmakers have received from opponents of the law.
Katherine Windels, 26, of Cross Plains, was charged with two counts of creating a bomb scare, along with two misdemeanor counts of computer-based threats to injure or harm. The charges carry a combined maximum penalty of 7½ years in prison.
The first message sent March 9 to Sen. Robert Cowles of Green Bay said the sender and others had decided to kill the Republican senator by “arriving at your house and putting a nice little bullet in your head,” the complaint said. The email also claimed the group had planted bombs around the senator’s house and car and the Capitol building.
Two hours later that evening, a second email was sent to 15 Republican legislators. That email, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, also warned legislators to “put your things in order because you will be killed and your families will also be killed due to your actions in the last 8 weeks.”
“I hope you have a good time in hell,” the email read.
The complaint was filed hours after the state Department of Justice expressed concern that Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne had not yet filed charges against Mrs. Windels.
• From combined dispatches
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