The two Wisconsin legislators who represent the proposed Penokee Range iron ore mine in Ashland and Iron Counties say they don't support a public hearing scheduled for this week on the project.
The state Assembly Jobs Committee is heading to northern Wisconsin, where the state's largest-ever mining project is being proposed, for the first legislative meeting on reforming mining regulations. The public meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Thursday at the Hurley School Auditorium.
But Rep. Janet Bewley, D-Ashland, said the Republican-controlled committee is putting the cart before the horse.
"There is no mining bill," she said. "It's a ghost hearing."
A memo from Jobs Committee chairwoman Mary Williams staff said the meeting is expected to last several hours. Bewley said she isn't surprised. In an area where unemployment is high and the environment pristine, she expects a packed and heated hearing.
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"And that is what I fear and that could also be a motive," Bewley said. "Let them fight each other to the death or just divide and conquer or just crazy making. If that's the case, that's wrong. That's a horrible way to treat constituents."
But Republican Rep. Williams of Medford said they just want to hear concerns about mining regulations without rancor.
"I hope not. I can only hope. We'll try our best to control emotions, but that can be difficult. But, you know, I'm going to allow people to give me their opinion."
Senate Republican leader Scott Fitzgerald set up a Select Committee on Mining last month to revamp mining regulations. Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, is on that committee.
"I don't think you're going to get any results out of this hearing. I'm afraid the committee hearing is nothing more than creating a firestorm of heated rhetoric between two different sides."
Wisconsin Public Radio is heard locally on 91.3 KUWS-FM and online at www.wpr.org .
