Judge Sumi Strikes Again

Dane County Judge Maryann Sumi has issued another temporary restraining order (TRO) blocking further implementation of the budget repair bill (Act 10), which Governor Scott Walker signed into law on March 11.  See if you can follow me on this legal mess.

Last Monday, the Department of Justice appealed Judge Sumi’s original TRO delaying publication of Act 10.  The appeals court; however, punted on March 24 to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on determining if the TRO was valid.  The Wisconsin Supreme Court, which has one of its Justices up for re-election next Tuesday, would then need to determine if they will take the case.

Then on Friday, March 25, the Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) published Act 10 because they were not enjoined from doing so in Judge Sumi’s original TRO.  On Monday, Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch announced he believed the law took effect Saturday, so the state began charging employees more for their benefits and ended collecting dues on behalf of unions.

Judge Sumi held a hearing yesterday and then ruled that further implementation of the act is enjoined, while stopping short of declaring whether Act 10 is in effect. That will have to wait for the next hearing, which will not take place until Friday.  Judge Sumi also appointed an attorney for Secretary of State Doug La Follette rather than having the Department of Justice represent him. So on Friday, there will be even more attorneys convoluting this mess further.

Did you follow all of that? If you did, then you should probably go to law school. If not, don’t worry, the main points are that the Supreme Court election on Tuesday will be monumental and the Left will stop at nothing to slow down the implementation of Act 10.

Tuesday’s election has Michael Barone questioning whether the Tea Party movement is going through a hangover.  Will the Tea Party show up in mass on Tuesday as they did last November? In a week we’ll know.  With many possible special elections on the horizon this summer, the Tea Party needs to continue its momentum and stay engaged.

What can you do to help? First of all, make sure you vote on Tuesday.  Also, communicate with your friends and family who you will be voting for and why.  Media Trackers has been doing great work in covering the Supreme Court race.  Share their articles with other voters and on Facebook and Twitter.  Get out and help with a campaign to make phone calls or go door to door.  Do all that you can to help your candidate win.  The Tea Party must continue to be heard!