Rep. Goyke Statement on Governor Walker Signing Mining Bill
State Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement in response to Governor Scott Walker signing the controversial mining bill, Senate Bill 1.
MADISON – State Representative Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement in response to Governor Scott Walker signing the controversial mining bill, Senate Bill 1:
“I was very disappointed last Thursday when Assembly Republicans passed Senate Bill 1 without a single bi-partisan compromise. With Governor Walker signing this legislation, the protection of Wisconsin’s environment and future job growth has moved in the wrong direction. I was proud to vote no on final passage.”
“Prior to the final vote, Democrats offered 19 amendments that would have improved the bill and protected Wisconsin’s drinking water, natural resources, tourism jobs, public health and local community resources. All were rejected along strict party lines,” Goyke said.
“When I spoke on the floor against this bill, I focused on a major flaw that will likely send the bill to court. Our state constitution holds all navigable lake beds and river beds to be ‘Forever Free’ under the Public Trust Doctrine. Senate Bill 1 needlessly narrows this protection that has been upheld by Wisconsin courts for many years.”
“Second, I spoke about keeping the right perspective on the devastating environmental impact that a future mine will have. The proposed mine site would encompass an area larger than my legislative district. I represent roughly 57,000 people in Milwaukee, living in an area of just over 3,600 acres. The proposed mine site has been estimated, conservatively, to encompass an area of 5,000 acres. I cannot support having such a large area forever changed for the financial benefit of one company.”
“I was proud to stand with my constituents, who, through phone calls, letters, and e-mails overwhelmingly asked me to vote against such a flawed bill.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
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