Honadel Co-Sponsoring Mining Bill

State Rep. Mark Honadel, a vocal supporter of the mining bill that died in the Legislature last year, is co-sponsoring the latest version of the legislation.

Supporters of the legislation say it will help create a mine in northern Wisconsin that could have an economic impact of $1.5 billion and create some 3,000 jobs, according to a news release.

Oak Creek's state representative said the bill would help grow jobs in southeastern Wisconsin, in addition to jobs in the northern part of the state. 

"Not only will this provide family-supporting jobs in northern Wisconsin, but it will have a direct impact on businesses in the Milwaukee area such as Caterpillar and Joy Global," Honadel said in the news release.

Gov. Scott Walker and top state legislators have said passing a mining bill is one of the top priorities of the new session. In fact, Republican leaders in both chambers say the bill released to the public Wednesday, called "Mining for Jobs," will be the very first bill considered.

According to a Journal Sentinel report, the bill is nearly identical to the one proposed last year.

In addition to environmental concerns, opponents argue the bill won't be the job creator that Honadel and others say it will be—especially if it gets tied up in the courts, as some predict.

"They are embracing the same arrogance of power in support of a mining bill designed to serve one company while ignoring the Wisconsin constitution, federal clean water laws and Native American treaty obligations," Democratic Sen. Mark Miller said in a news release.