mining

Northern Wisconsin Water Rights Ruling Could Become Conservative Rallying Point

October 6, 2011 by The Political E...

People who know a lot more about water rights and Native American treaty rights than do I tell me the Environmental Protection Agency's recognition of the Bad River band's water quality standards and right to set them is a very big deal.

That's because because it tips decision-making power over water and land management towards the Tribe and its interests, and away from the Gegobic mining company, its proposed open-pit iron ore mine, and legislative efforts to fast-track a mining permitting process and stage-manage the political situation near Ashland.

Further explanation, here.

Bad River Band Can Regulate Water Quality, Protect Wild Rice Crop

October 5, 2011 by The Political E...

Excellent development: The Bad River band of the Lake Superior Chippewa has won the right to set high water quality standards, thus making sure than any mines in the area would have to discharge only high-quality waste water.

As the Journal Sentinel explains:

A State Of Incorporation - - Welcome to Wisconsin, Inc.

October 4, 2011 by The Political E...

If you examine the Walker/Fitzgeralds' agenda and accomplishments [sic] to date- - the Voter ID bill locking in Republican advantages, a parade of business tax breaks, the shift of agency rule-making to the Governor's office, the management of the DNR with a "chamber of commerce mentality," the easing of mining approvals and wetlands protections, the boosting of private school choice, the crippling of public employee unions and members' collective bargaining rights, the starving of local bus systems, outright killing of both a Madison-to-Milwaukee Amtrak extension and separate SE Wisconsin commuter train, and more - - there's only one way to interpret it:

The far right, with Walker as the front-man CEO, is re-shaping Wisconsin as a subsidiary of the private sector run by the Class "A," preferred shareholders - - the WMC, major conservative donors and Americans for Prosperity-type advocacy groups, and ALEC, which provides secretive, members-only ideological and technical guidance.

That group is rewarding itself with dividends guaranteed, across the board, by Walker, the Fitzgeralds and other compliant legislative/managers on behalf of the majority, controlling Class "A" shareholders.

In Wisconsin, "Job-Creation" Means Rewards To Republican Special Interests

October 3, 2011 by The Political E...

More bills are tossed by the Governor and legislature into the special session on job-creating that have nothing to do with creating jobs except in corporate donors' front-offices, lobbying, law and accounting firms.

Cue the campaign fund-raising letters - - so there may be a job or two added in the direct mail houses come election time.

The Journal Sentinel headline and deck describing this are direct and jaw-dropping:

Bills limiting lawsuits added to Legislature's jobs session

Measures would cut interest rate, curb medical cases

 The Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters last week got it right:

Walker And Land Use Atop List Of Most-Read Items On This Blog Last Week

October 1, 2011 by The Political E...

Along with a Federal warning about meddling with Wisconsin's mining and water-management procedures, and trip to Sprawlville to see and photograph the new Interchange to Nowhere:

Gov. Eagle Scout (Walker) May Tilt Recall Process ... Sep 27, 2011