Democrat introduces mining bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Senate Democrat has introduced his own legislation to rework the state's regulations as rival Republicans try to persuade a company to open a huge iron mine near Lake Superior.

Republicans have unveiled a bill that would overhaul iron mining regulations to help Gogebic Taconite open a huge mine straddling the Ashland-Iron County line.

Sen. Tim Cullen, a Janesville Democrat, released his own bill on Tuesday. It would create a longer time frame for permit approval than the GOP bill. Unlike the Republican measure, Cullen's bill would allow the public to challenge the decision-making process while it's still in progress.

The bill looks doomed, though. Republicans control both the Senate and Assembly. But Cullen says he hopes the GOP will at least incorporate some of his ideas into their bill.