This post originally appeared at https://reforminggovernment.org/todays-decision-must-not-stand/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 2, 2024

Today’s Decision Must not Stand 

IRG’s Statement on Judge Frost’s Decision to Restore Collective Bargaining 

DELAFIELD, WI: Today, Dane County Judge Jacob Frost restored collective bargaining for Wisconsin public employees. In 2011, under the leadership of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and the Republican-led legislature, Wisconsin’s Act 10 removed the ability of public sector employees to collectively bargain.

Pending likely appeals, the signature reform of the Walker-Kleefisch era that has saved the state and local units of government close to $17 billion is at risk of being overturned by the state’s progressive judiciary. 

“Reverting back to pre-Act 10 labor relations will upend local government operations. But more devastating is the potential impact to jurisprudence in Wisconsin.  Deferring to Legislative determinations in all but the most extreme cases is a fundamental principle in our tripartite form of government,” said Jake Curtis, General Counsel and Director of the CIO for the Institute for Reforming Government. “Whether one agreed or disagreed with the policy decisions made by the 2011 Legislature, we should all agree it had a rational basis for the decisions it made. Rejecting this key principle will have negative consequences for years to come and upends key separation of powers principles. This decision must not stand.” 

Have questions? Reach out to Courtney Gustafson at [email protected].  

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The Institute for Reforming Government is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that seeks to simplify government at every level by offering policy solutions to thought leaders in American government in the areas of tax reform, government inefficiency, and burdensome regulations.