Mining Bill Passes Assembly
Legislation Could Turn Tide for the State

MADISON…Yesterday, the assembly voted for the biggest job creating bill this session. The “Jobs for Generations” bill, also known as the mining bill, passed by a vote of 59 to 36. The bill rewrites iron mining laws, which could potentially bring 700 full-time jobs to northern Wisconsin. Thousands more jobs would be indirectly supported by the mine.

Mining legislation came to the forefront when a company, Gogebic Taconite (G-Tac), expressed interest in mining part of the Penokee Mountains between Ashland and Iron counties. That area would see thousands of jobs during the construction phase of the mine alone.

Wisconsin’s mining industry wouldn’t just impact the north. Milwaukee would also see a benefit. Milwaukee is the mining equipment manufacturing capitol of the world. CAT, formerly Bucyrus, would make the equipment G-Tac would use to excavate and process the iron ore.

“Ashland county currently has a per person annual income around $20,000,” said Rep. Tom Tiffany. “Imagine what a family could do with salaries in the $50,000 range coupled with health insurance and a retirement account. Those jobs would allow families to stay in northern Wisconsin, instead of leaving for cities or even other states.”

The latest census data shows that Ashland County lost more than four percent of its population, while the state gained about six percent. Eighteen percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Iron County lost nearly 14 percent of its population over the last decade. The per capita income is around $21,000.

“Declining population numbers show us that people can no longer afford to stay in northern Wisconsin,” said Tiffany. “Declining population is bad for the locals, but it’s also bad for the state. Lower population means fewer taxes to help maintain the area.”

Wisconsin has mined iron in the past. The most recent mine in Wisconsin was a sulfide mine in Jackson County. That mine is now a park and scuba-diving lake that is part of the tourism industry.

“Good, family-supporting jobs are exactly what Wisconsin needs,” said Rep. Tom Tiffany. “These jobs aren’t going to come out of nowhere. We need to create an environment where investors want to trust in Wisconsin. This bill is a step in that direction.”