Posted on 02/16/2012 5:47:00 AM PST by rellimpank
Madison - In hope of pushing through controversial mining legislation, the Senate's top leader on Wednesday disbanded a special committee on the issue, but the move could instead prevent a bill from passing before the legislative session ends March 15.
The decision by Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) to support the Assembly version of the measure comes amid a second round of recall elections that could result in Republicans losing their majority in the Senate.
The Assembly bill weakens existing mining regulations, but supporters believe it provides adequate environmental protections and would spur development of a massive open pit iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin.
Senate Republicans hold a 17-16 majority, so to pass mining legislation they would need all their members to vote for it or recruit some Democrats if any GOP members vote no. Some Democrats have said they want to vote for mining legislation but have expressed grave concerns about the Assembly version of the bill.
On Monday, Sen. Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn), chairman of the special mining committee, unveiled a version of the bill that made some changes to what the Assembly passed last month.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
—as usual , the RINO from Richland Center is waffling-—(Dale Shultz)
Wisconsin Open for Business Mining Bill ping
If you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list, please FReep Mail me.
The R Senate was getting pounded on the radio when their bill was looked at. They are now doing exactly what they should have originally...bring the Assembly bill to the floor and have a vote.
Sure Dale Shultz will likely vote against it but I want all of these Dems to have to go on record opposing more jobs in WI. There are at least 2 Dem Senators that will feel the heat if they vote against it The mine would be in Jauch - D district and Chris “sticky fingers” Larsen’s district includes the Caterpillar Mining Division and he’d have some splainin to do if he voted against something that would benfit his district.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.