Posted: Saturday, September 15, 2012 --- 2:23p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen says he will seek permission to enforce a state law that effectively ended collective bargaining for public employees while his office appeals a judge's ruling striking it down.

Van Hollen's office said Saturday it will seek a stay of Dane County Circuit Judge Juan Colas's decision overturning most of the law championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker.

The Republican attorney general says his office believes the law is "constitutional in all respects."

Van Hollen says the law should "continue in effect as it has for more than a year while the appellate courts address the legal issues."

Colas ruled Friday that the law violates the state and federal constitutions and is null and void. The governor's office has said it will appeal.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.