By: Associated Press//June 3, 2011//
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Madison judge has recused himself from handling a lawsuit challenging Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s contentious collective bargaining law.
Judge Peter Anderson was presiding over a lawsuit two public union chapters filed in March alleging the law impairs unions’ ability to sustain themselves and individuals’ ability to associate with unions. The lawsuit also alleges the state Senate lacked the proper quorum when it passed the law.
Anderson told attorneys Wednesday he had been active in Democratic politics and had opinions about the collective bargaining law, which strips most public workers of their union rights. He chose to step down from the case on Friday.
A new judge will be assigned to the matter.
The state Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Monday in a separate case challenging the law.