US | Wisconsin Court Lets Wisconsin Union Law Take Effect It's a big win for Governor Scott Walker, Republicans By Newser Editors and Wire Services Suggested by anothernewsjunkie Posted Jun 14, 2011 5:54 PM CDT Copied Protesters hold signs as Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker takes his seat during a hearing last month on Capitol Hill. (Getty Images) The Wisconsin Supreme Court handed Republican Gov. Scott Walker a major victory today, ruling that his polarizing union rights law can go into effect. In a 4-3 decision, the court said Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi overstepped her authority when she said Republican lawmakers violated the state's opening meetings statutes in the run-up to passage and declared the union rights law void. The law, which eliminates most of public employees' collective bargaining rights and requires them to pay more for their health care and pensions, sparked weeks of protests when Walker introduced it in February. Walker claimed the law was needed to help address the state's $3.6 billion budget shortfall. Democrats saw it as an attack on public employee unions. (Click to about the "fake Democrats" who will be running in this summer's recall elections.) Read These Next Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. New York Times ranks the best movies of the 21st century. A man has been deported for kicking an airport customs beagle. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Report an error