State business consultant predicts a mining bill will pass - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

MADISON (WKOW) --The Business Journal reports state business consultant Tim Sullivan as saying Wisconsin will pass mining legislation next year.

The Business Journal's report quotes Sullivan as saying a lot of work is going on "behind the scenes" toward reintroducing a mining reform bill, but noting that any final legislation may look different from the bill that failed earlier this year, ending Gogebic Taconite's $1.5 billion plan for an open pit ore mine in Ashland and Iron counties.

Back then, supporters of the legislation pointed out the mine could have employed as many as 700 people, but there were environmental concerns.

"We can get the thing right environmentally," Sullivan reportedly said at the event, pointing to legislation passed in environmentally-conscious Minnesota.

The Business Journal says Sullivan made the comments in response to an audience member's question at an "On the Issues with Mike Gousha" forum at Marquette University's Law School.