Politics

La Follette says union law not in effect, Walker official disagrees

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Secretary of State Doug La Follette said Saturday that the budget-repair bill has not taken effect because it has not been published by his office.

“It’s still an act of the Legislature that has not yet become law because I have not yet designated a publication date,” La Follette said.

He added the law cannot take effect until he directs publication in the official state newspaper, the Wisconsin State Journal. Normally, a bill takes effect the day after publication.

A Dane County judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing La Follette from publishing the measure. But late Friday, the bill was published by the Legislative Reference Bureau, which was not named in the restraining order.

The Department of Administration said Friday that it will carry out the law.

And Saturday, DOA Secretary Mike Huebsch said in a written statement: “Upon the advice of my legal counsel, the Department of Administration will begin the process of implementing (the law) as we are required to do the day after a bill is lawfully published.”

Full story: La Follette says union law not in effect, Walker official disagrees