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MILWAUKEE – A bi-partisan group of 39 legislators and legislative staff toured two of the world’s premier mining equipment manufacturers in Milwaukee on Thursday as the Legislature embarks on passage of mining legislation next year.
The tours were sponsored by WMC, the state chamber of commerce, Joy Global, Inc. and Caterpillar, Inc. More than 70 people are expected to participate in the tours.
“It’s critical that lawmakers understand the significance of mining manufacturing and the high-wage jobs they sustain in Milwaukee, and why reforming our iron mining laws will create more jobs in our state,” said Scott Manley, WMC director of environmental policy.
Joy Global and Caterpillar make the world’s premier mining equipment. Their operations are spectacular, and provided an impressive and tangible example of the importance of mining manufacturing jobs. The tours provided a rare glimpse inside these manufacturing giants.
In the last legislative session, an iron mining reform bill failed by one vote in the state Senate. The bill would have protected the environment while expediting the construction of iron mines in Wisconsin.
“We cannot allow this legislation to fail when the Legislature reconvenes in 2013,” Manley said. “It’s a tragedy that Wisconsin makes the best mining equipment on the planet, and it is shipped worldwide except to Wisconsin.”
WMC will be working with a broad coalition to pass the iron mining reform legislation.
A proposed mine that would operate in Iron County is projected to create 3,000 new, high-wage jobs in that economically distressed part of Wisconsin.
For Further Information Contact:
Scott Manley, (608) 258-3400
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