Senate leaders spar over mining panel picks

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald has rejected two Democrats recommended for a new committee on Wisconsin mining regulations.

Fitzgerald, a Juneau Republican, said Tuesday he is naming Democratic Sens. Bob Jauch of Poplar and Jim Holperin of Eagle River to the committee.

Jauch was one of three Democrats recommended for the panel by Senate Minority Leader Mark Miller, a Monona Democrat. The Senate GOP leader rejected two of Miller’s recommendations, Democratic Sens. Tim Carpenter of Milwaukee and Jon Erpenbach of Middleton.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Miller’s spokesman accuses Republicans of partisanship — a claim the GOP leader’s spokesman rejects.

Gogebic Taconite has proposed an iron mine in Iron and Ashland counties, but wants assurances of an end point in the state permitting process before it moves forward.

Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com