By Kay Nolan
For WIsBusiness.com
MILWAUKEE — Gov. Scott Walker warned today that his administration needs lawmakers to pass mining legislation to keep Gogebic Taconite interested in drilling for iron ore in northern Wisconsin.
Walker, who made stops in three cities today to push for the legislation, said it was appropriate to address the concerns of Dems and Republicans who are genuinely interested in supporting a bill. But he said the version introduced by Sens. Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, and Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, wouldn’t persuade the company to make an investment in Wisconsin that could lead to 2,300 jobs.
“As you know, in the legislative process, sometimes people put out positions and are willing to negotiate from that,” Walker said. “Our hope is that Senator Schultz and others would be willing to adjust.”
Meanwhile Democratic state Reps. Penny Bernard Schaber of Appleton and Brett Hulsey of Madison today criticized the version of the bill passed by the state Assembly, saying it could lead to the suspension of thousands of flood insurance policies in northeastern Wisconsin.
“Democrats do not oppose mining, but it’s not worth putting 18,000 homeowners and businesses across Wisconsin at risk,” Hulsey said in a prepared statement.
Asked what adjustments should be made to the bill to win approval, Walker said only, that “It’s a moving target” and that the bill should balance the need to protect water and air with streamlining the way for mining operation.
But Walker said he’s taking the issue of mining in Wisconsin “to the people” because “I’m fearful of two things: either no deal, which I think would be horrendous” for people seeking jobs “or a bill that doesn’t lead to jobs.”
“Our focus is not on a specific version, but on getting a bill passed that addresses their concerns but does so in a way that will still lead to possible jobs,” Walker said. “For us, we haven’t drawn an absolute line in the sand on any of the provisions. Our line in the sand is, it does no good, I think, for the Legislature to go through this process and have a bill that ultimately, not just this company, but others, walk away from and say, well, this is still too difficult.”
Walker appeared at P&H Mining in West Milwaukee, where heavy mining equipment is made and also had stops scheduled at similar manufacturers in Rhinelander and Green Bay later in the day. He said the proposed mine would also help Milwaukee-area manufacturers Caterpillar and Monarch Corp., as well as other companies.
Walker told P&H employees to help spread the word that manufacturing jobs make promising careers.
Walker said he asked President Barack Obama last week, during a visit to the White House, to help the marketing effort, and he said Obama agreed.
“We need to tell the story to people like my kids, who are 16 and 17, that there are great careers in manufacturing,” Walker said.
Walker emphasized that Wisconsin high schools and tech schools aren’t training enough people in manufacturing trades, such as machinists and welders, and said tech college classrooms have vacancies due to lack of interest.
But afterward, Walker told reporters he didn’t regret cutting funding to tech colleges last year in his state budget bill.
“Not at all, because it’s not a resource issue,” he said. “They’re not saying they don’t have classes. They have classes in those areas. Ultimately, it’s an issue of doing more to market those positions, to fill those classes that are not filled.”
