Contact: Brenna Sadler
414-270-7266
bsadler@laughlin.com
Rich Budinger, president of the Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association, today released the following statement regarding SB 632/AB 816, newly revised legislation relating to non-metallic mining sites introduced by State Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst) and State Rep. Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan). Budinger spoke in favor of the bill before a joint hearing of the Senate Committee on Workforce Development, Forestry, Mining and Revenue and the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economy and Mining.
“This bill preserves local authority and local agreements – that’s very important to WISA. Some of our members have been part of their communities for a century or more, and this legislation changes nothing about those positive relationships. As a result, groups like the Wisconsin Counties Association see the merits of this bill and do not oppose it.
“In a proper way, this bill prevents municipalities from changing the rules of the game for lawfully permitted and operating businesses. There are real examples of how municipalities can, without due process, use police powers to effectively shut down good Wisconsin businesses. In one case, a local government tried to close a 100-year-old business that employs 100 people and is certified by the state DNR as a Green Tier site with superior environmental performance. Other industries notice that uncertainty, which can have chilling implications and hurt Wisconsin’s business climate and reputation.
“This bill allows legally permitted, highly regulated businesses to keep operating responsibly under carefully negotiated agreements with their host communities. It’s a good bill that will make Wisconsin an even better place to do business.”
