MADISON, Wis. (AP) — After months of heated debate, ear-splitting protests and legal maneuvering, Gov. Scott Walker's divisive collective bargaining law is finally set to take effect.

Secretary of State Doug LaFollette published the law in the Wisconsin State Journal newspaper on Tuesday. The measure goes into effect Wednesday, capping an ugly four months in Madison that saw state senators flee the state and massive protests at the state Capitol.

"I think our Legislature could have done it better," said Platteville City Manager Larry Bierke, who must negotiate new contracts with the city's police dispatchers, water workers and public works workers under Walker's law. "It was messy and it really doesn't make Wisconsin look all that great. But in the end, this is what we were given from the state of Wisconsin and we will do everything we can to follow the state's guidance."