Judge temporarily blocks Wisconsin anti-union law

A Wisconsin judge on Friday issued a temporary order blocking the state's highly controversial new law stripping the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions.

Judge Maryann Sumi of Dane County issued the order in response to a request by District Attorney Ismael Ozanne (D). As The Associated Press summarized, Ozanne contended that the legislative committee that passed the bill "met without the 24-hour notice required by Wisconsin's open meetings law."

The measure was signed by Gov. Scott Walker (R) last week. The Republican-led Wisconsin Senate passed it despite the absence of the chamber's 14 Democrats, who fled the state in protest and kept the bill in limbo for weeks.

During those weeks, tens of thousands gathered around Madison and in the capitol to demonstrate against Walker's proposal, sparking national interest as governors of other states considered similar measures.