Dane County Judge Daniel Moeser issued a temporary restraining order opening the state Capitol to the general public.
The lawsuit was brought by the Wisconsin State Employees Union, AFSCME Council 24, and other groups, in trying to force the Department of Administration to open the Capitol to the public for hearings.
In the ruling (PDF), Moeser wrote the state and Michael Huebsch, secretary of the DOA, "shall open the Wisconsin Capitol to members of the public during business hours and at times when governmental matters, such as hearings, listening sessions and court arguments are being conducted."
On Tuesday morning, DOA spokesman Tim Donovan said "We've not seen the court order yet. Until we see it and have an opportunity to study it, we're not able to comment on it."
A hearing is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. to hear further arguments on the matter.
Earlier in the morning, DOA sent out a press release (PDF) detailing that access to the Capitol would again be restricted on Tuesday. In the release, the DOA said visitors would require and invitation to meet with legislators or attend hearings. They would be escorted to those offices until capacity was reached. "These procedures are intended to keep the total number of Capitol visitors at a level that will allow state government to continue in a safe and secure environment."
The state has yet to comply with the order, though, and access to the Capitol remains limited per the rules issued by the DOA this morning.
