Assembly Debates Mining Bill, Passage All But Assured

The Wisconsin State Assembly spent this morning debating a bill aimed at clearing the way for a massive open pit iron mine in Iron and Ashland Counties.

Comments from majority Republicans this morning have been very similar to what they said about the mining bill when they first introduced it. South Milwaukee Republican Mark Honadel told Democrats it would grow an industry in the north and help manufacturing everywhere. “I don’t know what you’re afraid of. I’m mystified as to why you’re fighting this so hard.”

But Baraboo Democrat Fred Clark said the GOP bill would result in wetlands, lakes and streams being filled at a mining site to benefit a single company. “What we have here is not the will of the citizens of the State of Wisconsin.”