"MADISON, Wisc. -- Assembly Republicans sent Gov. Scott Walker a bill Thursday that could clear the way for a miles-long iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin, handing the GOP governor a victory that eluded him last year."

"Walker's signing of the measure would clear the way for a mining company to proceed with an exploration process Republicans say could lead to a mine starting within four years. But litigation appears all but certain, and that could block it or greatly delay it.

'On behalf of the unemployed skilled workers in our state who will benefit from the thousands of mining-related jobs over the next few years, I say thank you for passing a way to streamline the process for safe and environmentally sound mining in Wisconsin,' Walker said in a statement.

Democrats said the measure would lead to environmental degradation and argued Republicans were taking the wrong approach to improving the economy."

Jason Stein, Lee Bergquist and Patrick Marley report for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel March 7, 2013. [2]