Wisconsin LCV: Open-pit mining bill struck down with bi-partisan opposition

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters press release
March 6, 2012

MADISON -- On Tuesday, March 6, 2012, a major victory was scored for Wisconsin citizens who opposed an open-pit mining bill that threatened to contaminate water with arsenic, lead, and mercury. The Vos-Darling amended version of AB 426 contained unprecedented rollbacks to environmental protections, including provisions that could expose Wisconsin families to deadly chemicals.

"Today’s vote is a victory for Wisconsin families and clean drinking water. This bill was filled with some of the worst conservation rollbacks in recent memory. Its sound rejection by a bi-partisan set of Senators reflects the values of Wisconsin voters who are genuinely concerned about the effects this bill would have had on our families and public safety," said Anne Sayers, Program Director for Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, on Tuesday.

The Senate voted to reject the amended bill on a bi-partisan vote of 17-16. AB 426 was sent back to the Senate Organization Committee on a unanimous vote.

Casting pro-conservation votes were Senators: Carpenter, Taylor, Coggs, Larson, Holperin, Cullen, Miller, Schultz, Wirch, Lassa, Jauch, Risser, Erpenbach, Hansen, Vinehout, King, Shilling.

Casting anti-conservation votes were Senators: Lasee, Cowles, Vukmir, Darling, Leibham, Harsdorf, Kedzie, Fitgerald, Olsen, Ellis, Grothman, Wanggaard, Moulton, Lazich, Galloway, Zipperer.

Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to electing conservation leaders, holding decision makers accountable and encouraging lawmakers to champion conservation policies that effectively protect Wisconsin's public health and natural resources.

Editor's Note: Click here to read Woods Person's short report on the Wisconsin Joint Committee on Finance’s meeting on Assembly Bill 426 (the ferrous mining bill) held Monday, March 5, before the Senate vote on March 6.

To learn more about the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters visit their Web site.