Shocked, Shocked -- SHOCKED. Walker spokesperson Werwie was *in error* when he said,

[mojowork_n]

"That is a flat-out lie. This has nothing to do with mining."

Referring to a Republican DNR "reform package" last summer:

http://wcmcoop.com/2013/01/23/wetlands-deregulation-bill-passed-under-false-pretenses/

At a press conference unveiling Sen. Tim Cullen’s (D-Janesville) alternative mining bill today, Sen. Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) said the controversial wetlands deregulation bill he helped craft last year only passed because of assurances by Scott Walker’s administration and the Department of Natural Resources that the provisions in it would only apply to small scale real estate development projects and would not be incorporated into a mining bill.

“Throughout the process we heard that this is not a backdoor mining bill,” said Schultz. He described meetings in which DNR Deputy Secretary Matt Moroney downplayed concerns from the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, tribal leaders and the Wisconsin Wildlife Foundation that removing the “Areas of Special Natural Resource Interest” designation for fragile wetlands and setting up wetlands “mitigation banks” would ease the way for a large scale mining project in the pristine, water rich environment of the Penokee Hills on the shores of Lake Superior.

Schultz quoted a 2011 Wisconsin State Journal article in which Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie responded to the allegation that the wetlands bill was a back-door attempt to promote mining by saying, “That is a flat-out lie. This has nothing to do with mining. It is part of an overall DNR reform package that has been planned since January.”

But last session’s AB 426, and now SB1/AB1, the mining bill promoted by Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and Rep. Scott Suder (R-Abbotsford), incorporate all of the most controversial elements of the wetlands bill, including allowing a mining company to fill in lakes, streams and wetlands with potentially toxic mining waste.

[southernyankeebelle]

1. You know how you can tell a republican is lying? He opens his mouth and starts speaking.

[Scuba]

2. Mine hearings today! You can testify by email until 9:00 p.m. tonight!!!

People wishing to weigh in but unable to attend must:
Email both Senator Tom Tiffany [e-mail] and Representative Mary Williams [e-mail]


Explicitly state you are REGISTERING your testimony for AB1 and SB1, you must indicate whether you oppose the bill or support the bill. (If you think the bill is bad, OPPOSE it).

You must send the email during the time of the hearing on Wednesday, January 23rd between 9 am and 9pm.

You can supply written testimony with your email. You need not be an expert on the bill to provide your opinion. Include your name and physical address.

Anyone registering this way should ask for a confirmation email so they know their testimony was received.


My message was simple:

Subject: I am registering my testimony in opposition to AB1 and SB1

Message: Setting aside our State's environmental protections to provide a few hundred temporary jobs is not worth it.

Any mining ventures in Wisconsin should comply with our existing environmental laws, including the "must have proved it works" provision.

I oppose both of these bills.


Thanks to snacker for this information: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1084&pid=6340

[ewagner]

3. I saw the part of the hearing

when a Democratic Assembly woman was questioning "Areas of Special Natural Resource Interest" . I wasn't sure what she was talking about but your snip explains it very well...she was on to the lies...

Also, I've had personal interaction with Tiffany but Suder is one of our two local Assemblymen (their gerrymandering drew a line right through the middle of town..effectively splitting the democratic-leaning vote and blending it with two BRIGHT RED districts) and hasn't even had the courtesy to talk with us local officials.

Worse yet, the other, newly elected, Assemblyman from our district is a colleague of mine on the city council... we've worked together (and sometimes sparred with each other) for over six years and he has always prided himself on being independent minded but last Tuesday night as we were leaving council chambers, he told me he SIGNED ON AS A CO-SPONSOR of the mining bill....I just turned around and silently walked away from him.


The interaction with Tiffany is fruitless btw...