We all know how this turned out the first time, but for the record, Judge Maryann Sumi extended the temporary restraining order against the anti-union law which strips most collective bargaining rights from public employees, and warned of sanctions for any public official who continues to implement the law.

The court hearing arose from the publication of the law by the Legislative Reference Bureau, essentially a printer for the legislature. Republicans took that to mean the bill was now law, despite the fact that a temporary restraining order was already in place blocking the Secretary of State, the only constitutional officer with the power to publish laws, from any action. Judge Sumi was clearly angered by the disregard for her order displayed by the Scott Walker Administration in this case, saying that they acted in “willful defiance” of the TRO. She added that any further actions would lead to punishment.

Walker, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau), Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Horicon), Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch all had contended the bill became law after it was published by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

In doing so, Sumi, who was appointed to the bench by former Republican Gov. Tommy Thompson, said they either “ignored or misunderstood” her original restraining order, which prohibited Democratic Secretary of State Douglas La Follette from publishing the law. According to statutes, the Secretary of State must