Wisconsin asks court to allow labor law

MADISON, Wis., April 8 (UPI) -- Gov. Scott Walker's administration is appealing to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to let its labor legislation become law.

Lawyers for the state Justice and Administration departments asked the court Thursday to lift a restraining order issued by Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi, saying she exceeded her authority, the Wisconsin State Journal reports.

Sumi acted on a lawsuit backed by Democrats contending the bill, which slashes public employees' collective bargaining rights, was passed in violation of the open meetings law. The suit could take months to decide.

"The Wisconsin constitution clearly does not allow such actions by the judicial branch," the state's petition said. "When a court takes such actions, it violates fundamental principles of separation of powers and does serious and irreparable harm to our constitutional system of government."

The state also argues it is losing savings of $30 million this year and $300 million in the 2011-13 budget by being unable to implement changes to worker pay and benefits under by the union law.

Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, who brought the lawsuit against the bill, said, "Nothing really surprises me at this point."