State Rep. Peter Barca
Press Release

Statement from Rep. Barca on Assembly passage of irresponsible, partisan mining bill

Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement today on Assembly passage of a Republican partisan mining bill that rolls back environmental protections, ignores the needs and wishes of residents and elected officials closest to the mine and does not conform to federal law.

By - Mar 7th, 2013 07:00 pm

MADISON – Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha) released the following statement today on Assembly passage of a Republican partisan mining bill that rolls back environmental protections, ignores the needs and wishes of residents and elected officials closest to the mine and does not conform to federal law:

“Today Assembly Republicans missed a golden opportunity for bipartisanship on mining. There was a bipartisan alternative on the table that mirrored the best elements of Minnesota’s effective mining law and would have streamlined the process without undermining clean drinking water protections. But Republicans refused to even consider any amendments. Because Republicans rushed this legislation without including acceptable environmental standards, both sides agree it could cost taxpayers millions of dollars in litigation.

“Instead Republicans rejected testimony from the public and experts. Now the only mine we can be certain will open will be a gold mine for Republican lawyers who can get rich defending their flawed law. This mining bill again falls short of assuring job creation, which is desperately needed in our state that lags behind the nation and is dead last in job creation in the Midwest.

“This problem could have been avoided if Republicans had simply listened to the people and chosen a common-sense, responsible, bipartisan bill instead of a divisive bill that primarily benefits out-of-state special interests.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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