The question is whether the bill has any hope of actually producing a mine.

Discussion of mining legislation centers around a proposed iron ore mine in the Penokee-Gogebic Range in the northern part of the state. The project has more than its share of doubters. Experts question its economic feasibility, pointing out that the ore is relatively low-grade not to mention deeply buried and hard to reach, quite possibly making the mine cost prohibitive.

Then there is the fact that the proposed mine's location is upstream from tribal land and would have a considerable environmental impact on the headwaters of the Bad River watershed. No state law can make the Army Corps of Engineers ignore its obligation to follow federal environmental protection laws during its review and approval process. Nor can any state law make the Bad River Band of Chippewa Indians surrender their treaty rights and their federally delegated authority to protect the watershed.

So this mining project seems doomed, either because it doesn't make economic sense or because of federal regulators or because of an inevitable tribal lawsuit. Looks like state legislators are in a huge rush to pass legislation greasing the skids for mining that contains no grease.

Looks like a fool's mission on the surface. But something tells me there is much more to this than meets the eye. There are at least three reasons state politicians might be eager to pass a mining bill that is exceedingly unlikely to result in the mine they claim they want and Wisconsin needs.

Reason #1: It's not iron ore lawmakers are interested in mining. Mining interests started making campaign contributions in Wisconsin in the summer of 2010. There is a lot more where that came from. Earlier this year, the day after telling reporters there was a way to breathe life back into the Penokee-Gogebic mining project, Governor Scott Walker embarked on a very successful mining expedition to the faraway hometown of the man behind the mine.

Reason #2: What they really are looking to dig up is a way to divert attention and deflect criticism. By one measure after another, Wisconsin is lagging badly in job creation. For all their promises to jumpstart the economy, state officials still have a dead battery on their hands. Those in charge know they stand to get blamed and they need cover. What to do? Pass a bill promising an economic boom and when it produces exactly what is to be realistically expected, which is nothing, throw up your hands in mock frustration and shift the blame for the state's woeful job-creation record to the feds and the tribes and the environmentalists and every last legislator who votes against the bill.

Reason #3: They don't want this mine, they want something else even more controversial. Pro-mining legislators let the industry write the legislation and showed no interest whatsoever in the input of tribal officials or the Army Corps of Engineers. That's curious since mining in the Penokee-Gogebic Range has huge environmental implications for the Bad River watershed, so this project necessarily gets caught up in the messy business of treaty rights and tribal sovereignty. And blowing off the Army Corps only stands to lengthen a review and approval process that business interests and their legislative supporters say they want to shorten. Makes no sense if you actually want this particular iron ore mine to happen. Starts making sense if Penokee-Gogebic is a trojan horse concealing the true motives for shortcircuiting the state permitting process and rewriting Wisconsin's environmental protection laws. All this legislative maneuvering for a project that has all the makings of a lost cause serves a purpose if what you are really trying to do is lay the groundwork for another form of mining that is even more environmentally sensitive than iron ore mining or some other kind of politically explosive land use that would best not be publicly acknowledged until after ground has been broken . . . nowhere near any reservation, of course, so as to avoid countless trips to federal court.

images/MI_mine.jpg

Mike McCabe
Executive Director of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Lisa Graves
Executive Director of Center for Media and Democracy

18 Breakout Sessions

Saturday February 16, 2013

Registration 8:30 to 9:20

Suggested Donation $12 Donation (Includes Lunch)

Wisconsin Heights High  10173 State Hwy 14
Mazomanie, WI
 

wisconsingrassroots.net
Nate: (608) 220-0139

 Mining. One thing that does not bode well is that Senators Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) and Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) have not been assigned by their party leaderships to the mining committee. The two senators led a Select Committee in 2012 to study the issues and devise mining legislation that “provides the certainty the industry asked for while also protecting our environment, especially our water,” according to Sen. Cullen, quoted in The Capital Times.

 The League of Women Voters believes mining policy should not weaken environmental protection, and it must provide ample opportunities for citizen input and, when needed, legal remedy.

 State budget. Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig says that of all the budget decisions Governor Walker is likely to make this year, “none will have a bigger impact than whether Wisconsin accepts over $12 billion in federal health care reform money over the next decade to fill the holes in BadgerCare.” Read Kraig's column in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

 Last fall John Keckhaver, who leads a public policy consulting firm in Madison, spoke to the League’s legislative committee about how to follow the state budget. He noted the budget is a “nearly continuous process.” Last year the Governor sent instructions to state agencies, and the agencies submitted their requests. In February the Governor will release the executive budget, which will be introduced as legislation. It will have analysis and hearings before having a vote in each house. Here are ways to follow the budget process:

Visit the Legislative Fiscal Bureau website for official documents and nonpartisan summaries

Subscribe to Keckhaver’s budget alerts on his website

Subscribe to the Wisconsin Budget Project blog

Call your legislator’s office with specific questions.

 Find the League on Facebook!

Mining. One thing that does not bode well is that Senators Tim Cullen (D-Janesville) and Dale Schultz (R-Richland Center) have not been assigned by their party leaderships to the mining committee. The two senators led a Select Committee in 2012 to study the issues and devise mining legislation that “provides the certainty the industry asked for while also protecting our environment, especially our water,” according to Sen. Cullen, quoted in The Capital Times.

 The League of Women Voters believes mining policy should not weaken environmental protection, and it must provide ample opportunities for citizen input and, when needed, legal remedy.

 State budget. Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig says that of all the budget decisions Governor Walker is likely to make this year, “none will have a bigger impact than whether Wisconsin accepts over $12 billion in federal health care reform money over the next decade to fill the holes in BadgerCare.” Read Kraig's column in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

 Last fall John Keckhaver, who leads a public policy consulting firm in Madison, spoke to the League’s legislative committee about how to follow the state budget. He noted the budget is a “nearly continuous process.” Last year the Governor sent instructions to state agencies, and the agencies submitted their requests. In February the Governor will release the executive budget, which will be introduced as legislation. It will have analysis and hearings before having a vote in each house. Here are ways to follow the budget process:

Visit the Legislative Fiscal Bureau website for official documents and nonpartisan summaries

Subscribe to Keckhaver’s budget alerts on his website

Subscribe to the Wisconsin Budget Project blog

Call your legislator’s office with specific questions.

Find the League on Facebook!

Mining companies are also interested in sulfide deposits in Oneida County, along the Michigan border, and near Wausau. These projects recently suffered setbacks, but Wisconsin's unique mining moratorium law, which has kept out dangerous sulfide mining since 1998, is being targeted by the mining industry for repeal in the upcoming mining bill.

In western and central Wisconsin Frac Sand mining is turning much of our rural countryside into quarry pits, contaminating the air with silica dust and pumping out massive amounts of groundwater, to provide a product necessary for the dangerous fossil fuel extraction process called hydrofracking. A petition by ten citizens, supported by over 80 medical professionals, asking the DNR to regulate silica dust from sand operations as a hazardous air pollutant was recently rejected by the agency, despite silica dust being a known to cause lung cancer and silicosis. While some communities have passed moratoriums on new sand mining, the number of mines more than doubled between the summers of 2011 and 2012, from 41 to 87.

Mining companies and their supporters claim that mining is good for economic development, but real-world data on mining economies paints a different picture. In addition to perpetual environmental problems, mining damages the cultural lifeways and livelihoods of indigenous people. In Wisconsin, Native American tribes were instrumental in fighting off sulfide mining in Wisconsin and passing the state's landmark mining moratorium law in 1998. They have taken an out-front position against the proposed Penokee Mine. Follow the links below for more information on mining in the state.

Sign the petition to protect the mining moratorium law and stop new destructive legislation

Blue Mounds Food Pantry - In June, 2010 we opened a permanent Food Pantry at 11010 Blackhawk Drive in the Blue Mounds Industrial park.  Pantry hours are Thursdays from 9 to 11am and 4 to 6pm.  There are no residence restrictions and patrons can visit weekly.

Mt. Horeb Food Pantry - The Mount Horeb Area Food Pantry is designed to provide food and other household items to individuals/families who live in the Mount Horeb Area School District and whom are experiencing temporary struggles in obtaining basic necessities due to illness, unemployment, underemployment or other crisis. The Mount Horeb Area Food Pantry is Located at: 102 East Lincoln StreetMount Horeb, Wisconsin.

Mt. Horeb Clothes Closet - Assistance with communities clothing needs. Located at 102 E, Lincoln St. in Mt. Horeb. Hours are 10 am - noon on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays, and   5-7 pm on the 3rd Thursday. Contact Rayne Arneson at 437-5902.

Senior Outreach - 107 N. Grove St., Mount Horeb, WI 53572, Phone: 608-437-6902, Fax: 608-437-3190 Email: swdaneoutreach@mounthorebwi.info  - ALL SENIORS ARE WELCOME!

Southwest Dane Outreach/Nutriion - Located at 107 N. Grove Street in Mt. Horeb. Concact Lynn Forshaug at (608) 437-6902

Bargain Nook - Donations for a cause. The dollars generated by your generous donations of merchandise support the mission of Hodan Center, Inc. in two ways.  First, by providing work opportunities for people with disabilities at our Bargain Nook stores. And, secondly, by generating revenues that are used to provide life enriching opportunities in and through Hodan Center's many service programs.

Other Community Organizations 

Mt. Horeb Area Historical Society - The purposes and activities of the Mount Horeb Area Historical Society are to preserve, advance and disseminate knowledge of the history, art and culture of Southwestern Dane County. Contact the Society @ 138 E. Main St.Mt. Horeb, WI 53572 (608) 437-6486. The Society Museum on South Second Street , has a exhibit on Fighting Bob La Follette. mthorebhistory@mhtc.net

Many Other local organizations can by accessed by going to this web page. 

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Network opposes any new mining legislation that weakens environmental protections or reduces opportunities for citizen comment or legal redress. 

Current mining law balances the needs of mining companies against the public interest in clean air and water. It recognizes that mining inevitably leads to pollution and destruction of natural areas, yet offers reasonable environmental protection if the DNR is vigilant, and has sufficient staff, time, and information. Any compromise of these elements would constitute a give-away of our natural heritage and our civic legacy. 

Adopted by LWV Ashland-Bayfield Counties board of directors August 15, 2011; recommended by LWVWI Education Network Legislative Committee August 16, 2011; adopted by LWVWI Education Network board of directors August 19, 2011. 

The League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Network opposes any new mining legislation that weakens environmental protections or reduces opportunities for citizen comment or legal redress. 

Current mining law balances the needs of mining companies against the public interest in clean air and water. It recognizes that mining inevitably leads to pollution and destruction of natural areas, yet offers reasonable environmental protection if the DNR is vigilant, and has sufficient staff, time, and information. Any compromise of these elements would constitute a give-away of our natural heritage and our civic legacy. 

Adopted by LWV Ashland-Bayfield Counties board of directors August 15, 2011; recommended by LWVWI Education Network Legislative Committee August 16, 2011; adopted by LWVWI Education Network board of directors August 19, 2011. 

Wisconsin Grassroots Network is almost 5 years old, originating as the Dane Grassroots Network. We network more than 70 Grassroots groups across Wisconsin, expecting to increase that number. We provide support, training and strategy sessions statewide to promote progressive values and candidates.

We host annual progressive events such as the Annual Wisconsin Grassroots Festival at Wisconsin Heights H.S. in Mazomanie, WI.

 We are an important part of the 'feet on the ground' in every contest for justice and good policies in Wisconsin; supporting great candidates, helping groups get started and continue to grow across Wisconsin. We welcome questions and contact from you if you wish more information. Please use the comment box below to reach us.

Please JOIN our efforts to connect the many grassroots folks in Wisconsin by registering with us. We charge no membership, we offer the advantages of collaboration and cooperation between groups and individuals interested in preserving the progressive idea in Wisconsin!

By joining, a group or an individual can post  events, blog on our site, and keep informed about the grassroots movement all across Wisconsin. Come along with us and together we will be the Heartbeat of the Progressive movement in Wisconsin! You will find a news feed, Twitter, and Facebook contact! We welcome you!   

“Wisconsin's water and wild places” sounds like the makings of a new theme park, but the topics are anything but child's play to Sierra Club's local chapter director Shahla M.Werner, Ph.D. She will present an update on new laws affecting water, air and wild places in Wisconsin and will also address likely environment-related bills to be tossed about inWisconsin lawmakers' next session. The talk will be held on Mon. Jan. 14, 7 PM at the Mount Horeb Community Center on 107 N. Grove St. Mount Horeb.

 Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP), a local democracy-in-action group serving the Mount Horeb area since 2004, is sponsoring the event. For further info contact Sierra Club, John Muir Chapter at 608-256-0565, or check SWWAP.org.

The public is invited to attend.

(SWWAP)

 WISCONSIN SIERRA CLUB DIRECTOR TO SPEAK IN MOUNT HOREB JAN. 14

Wisconsin Environmental laws to be XXX (Examined, Explored and Explained)

“Wisconsin's water and wild places” sounds like the makings of a new theme park, but the topics are anything but child's play to Sierra Club's local chapter director Shahla M.Werner, Ph.D. She will present an update on new laws affecting water, air and wild places in Wisconsin and will also address likely environment-related bills to be tossed about inWisconsin lawmakers' next session. The talk will be held on Mon. Jan. 14, 7 PM at the Mount Horeb Community Center on 107 N. Grove St. Mount Horeb.

Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP), a local democracy-in-action group serving the Mount Horeb area since 2004, is sponsoring the event. For further info contact Sierra Club, John Muir Chapter at 608-256-0565, or check SWWAP.org.

The public is invited to attend.

President Obama on Right-To-Work for less Legislation

You only have to look to Michigan -- where workers were instrumental in reviving the auto industry -- to see how unions have helped build not just a stronger middle class but a stronger America.  (Applause.)  So folks from our state’s capital, all the way to the nation’s capital, they should be focused on the same thing.  They should be working to make sure companies like this manufacturer is able to make more great products.  That's what they should be focused on.  (Applause.)  We don't want a race to the bottom.  We want a race to the top.  (Applause.)

America is not going to compete based on low-skill, low-wage, no workers’ rights.  That's not our competitive advantage. There’s always going to be some other country that can treat its workers even worse.  Right? 

AUDIENCE:  Right!

THE PRESIDENT:  What’s going to make us succeed is we got the best workers -- well trained, reliable, productive, low turnover, healthy.  That's what makes us strong.  And it also is what allows our workers then to buy the products that we make because they got enough money in their pockets.  (Applause.)

So we’ve got to get past this whole situation where we manufacture crises because of politics.  That actually leads to less certainty, more conflict, and we can't all focus on coming together to grow.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:  That's right!

President Obama on Right-To-Work for less.

And by the way, what we shouldn’t do -- I just got to say this -- what we shouldn’t be doing is trying to take away your rights to bargain for better wages and working conditions.  (Applause.)  We shouldn’t be doing that.  (Applause.)  These so-called “right to work” laws, they don't have to do with economics; they have everything to do with politics.  (Applause.) What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money.  (Applause.)

You only have to look to Michigan -- where workers were instrumental in reviving the auto industry -- to see how unions have helped build not just a stronger middle class but a stronger America.  (Applause.)  So folks from our state’s capital, all the way to the nation’s capital, they should be focused on the same thing.  They should be working to make sure companies like this manufacturer is able to make more great products.  That's what they should be focused on.  (Applause.)  We don't want a race to the bottom.  We want a race to the top.  (Applause.)

America is not going to compete based on low-skill, low-wage, no workers’ rights.  That's not our competitive advantage. There’s always going to be some other country that can treat its workers even worse.  Right? 

AUDIENCE:  Right!

WDC was founded in 1995 as a nonprofit, independent coalition of individuals and groups responding to the growing dominance of special interest money in the campaigns of state lawmakers.

The Money Or the Many . . . That’s the Choice

Email date: 12/13/12

http://www.wisdc.org/proxy.php?filename=images/email-2012-12-13.jpg

You’re a foul one, Super PAC. . . .

With the dawning of the age of unlimited election spending and Super PACs and dark money, not to mention the ever-expanding war on voting, the risk of democracy being stolen has never been greater in living memory.

Never in our lifetimes has it been more important to shine light on the crooked political money game. Never before has it been more necessary to hold power accountable. Never has there been a greater need to speak truth to power.

Following the money. That’s the Democracy Campaign’s bread and butter. Exposing corruption and blowing the whistle on wrongdoing. That’s our reason for being. Speaking out without fear or favor about what’s gone haywire in our political system and what needs to be done to set things straight. Another of our specialties.

I hope you will take a look at our annual report. And I hope you agree that the work described in this report is valuable. So valuable that you will help us keep doing it.

It hasn’t been easy for the Democracy Campaign to raise funds lately. As the threats to democracy get bigger, finding the funding to sustain the fight is getting substantially more challenging. As it is with all nonprofits, the holiday season is crucial to us. Nearly half of charitable donations to nonprofits nationally come in the last six to eight weeks of the year.

Please consider making a generous year-end gift to help us finish 2012 in good financial shape and start the new year on the right foot. Donations to the Democracy Campaign are fully tax deductible.

Thanks for your support . . . and happy holidays from all of us at the Democracy Campaign.

Mike McCabe
Executive Director

The Money Or the Many . . . That’s the Choice

Email date: 12/13/12

http://www.wisdc.org/proxy.php?filename=images/email-2012-12-13.jpg

You’re a foul one, Super PAC. . . .

With the dawning of the age of unlimited election spending and Super PACs and dark money, not to mention the ever-expanding war on voting, the risk of democracy being stolen has never been greater in living memory.

Never in our lifetimes has it been more important to shine light on the crooked political money game. Never before has it been more necessary to hold power accountable. Never has there been a greater need to speak truth to power.

Following the money. That’s the Democracy Campaign’s bread and butter. Exposing corruption and blowing the whistle on wrongdoing. That’s our reason for being. Speaking out without fear or favor about what’s gone haywire in our political system and what needs to be done to set things straight. Another of our specialties.

I hope you will take a look at our annual report. And I hope you agree that the work described in this report is valuable. So valuable that you will help us keep doing it.

It hasn’t been easy for the Democracy Campaign to raise funds lately. As the threats to democracy get bigger, finding the funding to sustain the fight is getting substantially more challenging. As it is with all nonprofits, the holiday season is crucial to us. Nearly half of charitable donations to nonprofits nationally come in the last six to eight weeks of the year.

Please consider making a generous year-end gift to help us finish 2012 in good financial shape and start the new year on the right foot. Donations to the Democracy Campaign are fully tax deductible.

Thanks for your support . . . and happy holidays from all of us at the Democracy Campaign.

Mike McCabe
Executive Director