A Wisconsin judge has struck down the state law limiting public unions' power to collectively bargain, saying it violates the U.S. Constitution as well as the state's, the Associated Press reports. Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas issued the ruling in a suit brought by the teachers union in Madison and the city workers union in Milwaukee. Gov. Scott Walker (pictured above) pushed the law through the legislature last year despite huge protests in Madison and Democratic legislators fleeing across state lines to keep the law from passing. Walker survived a recall election over the law earlier this year. The Associated Press says it's "not clear" whether the law is immediately suspended. Walker's spokesman said he's confident Colas's decision will be overturned on appeal.

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at ereeve at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.
Elspeth Reeve