Wisconsin Citizens Media Co-op: Resistance mounts as mining bill speeds towards final passage

By Barbara With
Posted March 3, 2013, on Wisconsin Citizens Media Co-operative

MADISON -- Bad River Tribal Chair Mike Wiggins Jr. addressed the crowd in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda on Feb. 27. His message was, "There will be no mine."

Bad River Tribal Chair Mike Wiggins Jr.(foreground, center) addresses the crowd in the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda on Feb. 27, 2013. His message was, "There will be no mine." (Photo by Rebecca Kemble. Reprinted with permission,)

First claiming that new mining bill SB1 protects the environment, and then admitting that it actually allows mining companies to pollute without consequence, Sen. Tom Tiffany stepped up to take responsibility for spearheading what could become one of the worst long-term environmental and economic disasters in history of the State of Wisconsin.*

On February 27, Tea Party Republicans ignored overwhelming public outcry, abundant scientific evidence of the environmental and economic risks, violations of Federal Treaty Rights, the Public Trust Doctrine, and a coalition of elected officials from the Lake Superior Basin opposing the mine to pass SB1 out of the Wisconsin Senate. After tabling all 18 amendments offered by the Democrats, it’s now headed for a final vote in the Assembly on March 7.... Click here to read the rest of this article on the Wisconsin Citizens Media Cooperative Web site.

* See "Senate narrowly passes contentious mining bill." and "Mining bill author admits it will cause environmental harm."