A Wisconsin state judge temporarily blocked a law that would strip government employee unions of most of their collective-bargaining power.

Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi today granted a temporary restraining order blocking publication of the measure signed into law by Governor Scott Walker on March 11, after a hearing in the state’s capital city, Madison. Publication gives the law full force and effect.

‘The legislature and the governor, not a single Dane County Circuit Court judge, are responsible for the enactment of laws,’ Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said in an e- mailed statement. He said the state plans to appeal Sumi’s order.

The legislation championed by Walker, a first-term Republican, requires annual recertification votes for union representation and makes voluntary the payment of union dues. It exempts firefighters and police officers.

Organized labor and Democrats called the bill an attack on workers. Opposition sparked almost four weeks of mass protests at the Capitol.

Dane County District Attorney Ismael R. Ozanne, acting on four filed complaints — three by elected officials and one by a union leader — asked the court to bar publication. In addition to being the state capital, Madison is the Dane County seat.

Open-Meeting Law

Ozanne accused four Republican lawmakers of violating […]