Senate Doesn’t Have Votes to Pass Mining Bill

1/28/12 – Leaders in the Wisconsin Senate say they wouldn’t be able to get the votes they need to pass the Assembly version of a mining bill. Senator Neal Kedzie of Elkhorn chairs a select committee on mining. He says that group will work to balance the economic and environmental interests. Supporters say an iron ore mine planned for northern Wisconsin would mean hundreds of jobs for an area in need of work. Opponents warn of damage to the pristine area of the state and its many rivers and streams. Kedzie says he hopes his committee will approve a version of the mining bill by early March, with the legislation coming before the entire senate by the middle of that month.