Speaking at P&H Mining in Milwaukee this week, Gov. Scott Walker urged lawmakers to find a compromise on mining legislation in order to keep Gogebic Taconite interested in opening a mine in northwestern Wisconsin.
Walker made stops at five companies this week in support of the legislation, saying he was taking the issue of mining in Wisconsin "to the people" because "I’m fearful of two things: either no deal, which I think would be horrendous" for people seeking jobs "or a bill that doesn’t lead to jobs."
Walker said that while it was worth compromising with those who want to support the bill, a proposal from Sens. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center and Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, would not do the job.
“As you know, in the legislative process, sometimes people put out positions and are willing to negotiate from that,” Walker said. “Our hope is that Senator Schultz and others would be willing to adjust."
Schultz and Jauch unveiled their own mining bill last week as an alternative to the one already passed by the GOP-dominated Assembly. Schultz is a key vote in the Senate because Republicans only hold a one-vote majority.
Republicans Robin Vos and Alberta Darling released their own mining compromise this week, but Schultz said he could not support it because it did not include contested case hearings and would change some environmental laws.
See more on Walker’s visit to Milwaukee: http://www.wispolitics.com/index.iml?Article=262637.
– WisPolitics.com
