Dane County Judge Overturns Wisconsin's Act 10

A Dane County judge, Jacob Frost, has overturned Wisconsin's Act 10, declaring it unconstitutional for restricting collective bargaining rights of public employees, a decision that could have significant political and financial implications. Act 10, enacted in 2011 under former Governor Scott Walker, had differentiated between 'public safety' employees, who retained bargaining rights, and 'general' public workers, who did not. Judge Frost ruled that this distinction violated the state constitution's equal protection clause. The ruling restores bargaining powers to all public sector workers, aligning them with police and firefighter unions that were previously exempt. While unions celebrate the decision, Republicans plan to appeal, potentially bringing the case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This decision and subsequent appeals could influence the upcoming state Supreme Court elections, highlighting the ongoing contentious debate around union rights in Wisconsin.