Legislative Roundup: New Mining Bill, High School Voters, Aaron Rodgers Day | Business

GOP leaders staying silent on latest mining bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Republican leaders are staying silent on whether they will support a new mining proposal its bipartisan backers say represents a compromise that can pass the Legislature.

The proposal was unveiled Tuesday by Republican Sen. Dale Schultz and Democratic Sen. Bob Jauch. Democrats and Schultz have said they do not support the version of the bill that passed the Assembly.

That bill is now before the Legislature's budget-writing committee. A spokesman for committee co-chair Republican Sen. Alberta Darling says she has not reviewed the new proposal and had no comment.

A spokesman for Republican Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald also declined to comment.

The pressure is on the Legislature to change the state's mining laws so a new iron mine can open in northern Wisconsin near Lake Superior.

Senate passes worker training bill

The Wisconsin state Senate has passed a bill supported by Gov. Scott Walker that creates a pilot program to provide people on unemployment a chance to receive part-time training with employers that may lead to full-time work.

Those in the one-year pilot program would receive an additional $75 a week in unemployment benefits. About 500 people are expected to be enrolled in the program.

The Senate unanimously passed the bill Tuesday. It previously passed the Assembly, so now it heads to the governor for his approval.

Walker said in a statement that the change will help those seeking work to gain meaningful experience.

Assembly approves wetlands bill

The state Assembly has passed a bill that would help developers win wetland construction permits.

The plans would detail how developers would offset damage they might cause by working to restore or enhance other wetlands, giving builders another way to convince the Department of Natural Resources they deserve a permit.

Republicans say the bill would help businesses expand. Passing it has been one of their key goals this legislative session. Environmentalists, though, counter the bill would encourage the DNR to loosen its stance that applicants focus on avoiding or minimizing wetland damage.

The Assembly passed the measure on a voice vote after only about half-an-hour of debate Wednesday. The Senate passed the bill last week. It now goes to Republican Gov. Scott Walker for his signature. Walker supports the bill.

Senate passes voter registration bill

The Wisconsin state Senate has passed a bill that would remove a requirement in state law that voter registration be offered to students in high school.

Democrats argued against the measure, saying it's an assault on voting rights and part of a broader Republican agenda to suppress voting among people who are more likely to support Democrats.

But Republicans supported it, saying high school students have many other options for registering and it's a burden for elections officials to offer it at the schools.

The bill passed on a party line 17-16 vote.

The measure now heads to the Republican-controlled Assembly.

Senate delays bill affecting abortion providers

Wisconsin lawmakers have moved just short of passing a bill that would further mandate how a physician determines if a woman is being pressured to have an abortion.

The state Senate did not vote on the bill Tuesday after Democrats used a procedural move to delay a final vote. It cannot be voted on until the Senate is in session again.

The bill adds more rules that physicians must follow to make sure a pregnant woman isn't intimidated to abort by a partner or family member. The legislation also bans physicians from using a webcam to speak with patients before prescribing abortion-inducing drugs.

Republican supporters of the bill say it protects women. Democratic opponents say it infringes on the patient-physician relationship and reiterates policies that are already prohibited.

Assembly names 12-12-12 Aaron Rodgers day

The state Assembly has passed a resolution naming a day for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The resolution designates Dec. 12, 2012, as Aaron Rodgers Day. The Assembly passed the resolution unanimously on Tuesday and sent it on to the state Senate.

Rodgers, who wears No. 12, led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory last year and helped them to a 15-2 record this past season. The New York Giants defeated Green Bay in the playoffs and went on to win the Super Bowl.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)