Walker considered Friday's ruling something of a victory. Cullen Werwie, Walker's spokesman, said the administration was still trying to figure out what the ruling meant in terms of increased costs to the state and enforcement, but felt the judge affirmed the constitutionality of nearly everything in Act 10.

"We are confident that the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals will continue to uphold the constitutionality of the law," he said.

Of course, Walker's critics did not see it that way. Kathleen Falk, former Dane County executive and Democratic candidate for governor, said the ruling proves the collective bargaining bill was "not honest" and "not legal." Senate Democratic Leader Mark Miller, D-Monona, said the court proved the governor's bill stripped the rights of Wisconsin workers. And Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca said the ruling proved how far over the line the governor stepped with his landmark legislation.

"Once again, Gov. Walker's overreaching, extreme agenda has ended up in court and gave a judge no choice but to rule his actions unconstitutional," he said.