4-26-13 appeals court urges wi supreme court to rule on collective bargaining issue

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state appeals court is urging the Wisconsin Supreme Court to take a case brought by two unions challenging the constitutionality of Gov. Scott Walker's law effectively ending collective bargaining for most public workers.  The 4th District Court of Appeals on Thursday urged the Supreme Court to take the case and "put these legal issues to rest."  The case was brought by unions representing Madison school teachers and city of Milwaukee workers. A Dane County circuit judge last year overturned the law as unconstitutional, but it was unclear if the ruling applied outside of Madison and Milwaukee.  The appeals court says "it is hard to imagine a dispute with greater statewide effect or with a greater need for a final resolution."