The Wisconsin state Assembly will take the contentious mining bill under consideration starting at 9 a.m. Thursday, marking the last step before the bill could go to Gov. Scott Walker to be signed into law.
The state Senate passed the legislation Feb. 28 by a one-vote margin to set up Thursday’s vote in the Republican-controlled state Assembly, which will likely pass the bill because Republicans have a large majority.
The bill, which aims to streamline the state’s mine permitting process, has been a contentious state issue since it was first introduced in January after a similar bill failed during the last legislative session. Most Republicans support the bill, saying it would help to create a mine that would support the struggling northern Wisconsin economy. Democrats have routinely criticized the bill for the possible irreversible harm the mine could cause.
If the bill passes the Assembly and Walker signs it into law, environmental organizations and northern Native American leaders have said they will challenge the bill in court.
