Attorney general seeks stay in union lawsuit

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen has asked the state appeals court to put on hold a judge's ruling repealing major parts of Gov. Scott Walker's law effectively ending collective bargaining for most public workers.
 
Van Hollen's request made Thursday comes after Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas on Monday refused to issue a stay to his September ruling. Colas says Van Hollen and the state "failed to show that they will suffer irreparable harm if the stay is not granted."
 
Van Hollen had pledged to ask the appeals court for the stay, which he did Thursday.
 
The lower court's ruling last month overturned the law as it pertained to school and local government workers.
 
Colas said in his ruling that the law violates school and local employees' constitutional rights.