Why bureaucrat unions are so hard to beat

Wisconsin’s public employee unions evened the score with Gov. Scott Walker last week. Based on the claim that Republican legislators violated the Badger State’s open meeting laws, a county judge struck down restrictions on collective bargaining, elimination of the state’s collection of union dues and a requirement that the unions hold annual certification elections.

Wisconsin’s Supreme Court will soon consider the case. If the court sustains this decision, Republicans in the Legislature will be forced to either pass the bill again or admit defeat. Passage could prove difficult, as recall efforts and tilt of public opinion may have sapped some Republicans’ reformist zeal.