Ramming through a mining bill with little notice (Hopper, Repug, WI)...

[iwishiwas]

I wonder what the kickback for Hopper is?? He is up for recall in WI.

http://wisconsinlibertyproject.com/?p=118




Week in Review: 5/13/2011
Posted by Blog Boss on May 13th, 2011

Legislative Week in Review
How Much Damage Can Really They Do in 7 More Weeks?

We probably shouldn’t try to total up GOP “damage.” After all, Mike Huebsch claimed protesters did $7 million in damage to the capitol with duct tape, when a new report today shows it’s actually Walker and Huebsch who have cost taxpayers more than $7 million… in overzealous security costs.
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Tax dollars going to religious schools in Milwaukee suburbs

With this week’s vote to expand the Milwaukee schools voucher program to private schools beyond the city limits, Gov. Walker was emboldened enough to call for it to be expanded to Green Bay, Racine and Beloit. Fortunately, a few GOP lawmakers gave him a “not so fast,” saying the Milwaukee program was designed for kids from low income families in one particular district.

Repealing payday loan reform

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Ramming through a mining bill with little notice

Embattled Sen. Randy Hopper should understand the concepts of transparency and adequate public notice by now, but he nearly got away with scheduling a public hearing in Madison regarding a major mining proposal in the northernmost part of the state. It took a furious press blitz by Sen. Bob Jauch to humble Hopper into delaying a bill that the mining industry had been helping write for 5 months and was going to first unveil to the public with 5 days notice.

READ MORE: Mining bill delayed

http://ashlandcurrent.com/article/11/05/11/thursday-special-session-monday-hearing-planned-mining-legislation {Recall elections most likely on this day in which Dems need to pick up at least 3 seats--and not lose ANY)

[iwishiwas]

1. bill includes a “legislative finding” that this environmental destruction is “presumed to be necessa

Clean Wisconsin Opposes Proposed Mining Legislation
Mining companies should operate within current law, group says
Article | May 15, 2011 - 6:42pm | Ashland Current

A 186-page bill, available online and released last week, seeks to fast-track iron mine projects in Wisconsin by making the expansion of mining a state policy, slashing opportunities for public input and eliminating environmental protections, says the advocacy group Clean Wisconsin.

“This bill was written by the mining industry to gut the environmental review and public input process for proposed mines,” said Katie Nekola, attorney for Clean Wisconsin. “It serves the interests of wealthy out-of-state mining developers who contribute heavily to political campaigns at the expense of Wisconsin’s Northwoods.”

The bill would allow dumping toxic mine waste in floodplains, near rivers and lakes, and near the boundaries of neighboring properties, Clean Wisconsin says. It would eliminate the requirement that a mining application includes an assessment of the risks of soil erosion, flooding, pollution of ground or surface water, damage to public health or threats to public safety, the group added.

Clean Wisconsin says that in a telling statement, the bill reads, “it is probable that mining those deposits will result in adverse impacts to areas of special natural resource interest and to wetlands.”

The bill includes a “legislative finding” that this environmental destruction is “presumed to be necessary.”.................


http://ashlandcurrent.com/article/11/05/15/clean-wisconsin-opposes-proposed-mining-legislation