Judge strikes down Milwaukee's residency rule

MILWAUKEE -- A Milwaukee County judge has struck down the City of Milwaukee's residency rule. The rule that's been in place since 1939 required all employees of the City of Milwaukee to live within the city limits.

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed a bill into law in 2013 eliminating the city's residency rule, allowing police officers, firefighters, teachers and several others to live in Milwaukee suburbs and work for the city.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett was strongly opposed to the removal of the city's residency rule. He pledged to appeal the ruling and take this issue all the way to the State Supreme Court if necessary. 

Mayor Barrett says this law has implications on the relationship between local and state government. He argues special interest groups have played a role in this decision at the state level.