Wisconsin Appeals Court Opts Against Ruling Over Union Law

March 18: Wisconsin Secretary of State Doug La Follette listens to arguments during a hearing in Dane County Court in Madison, Wis. (AP/ Milwakee Journal Sentinel)

A Wisconsin appeals court says the state Supreme Court should decide whether a law that takes away nearly all collective bargaining rights from public workers should be allowed to take effect.

A majority of the seven-member Supreme Court must agree to take it or it would remain in the appeals court.

The 4th District Court of Appeals said Thursday it is appropriate for the state's highest court to take the case because it presents significant issues that are likely to end up before the Supreme Court anyhow.

A Dane County judge issued an order last week preventing Secretary of State Doug La Follette from publishing the law, saying Republicans violated the state open meetings law when passing it.