GOP promises mining reform will be first bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Assembly Republican leaders say the first bill they'll introduce this session will reform Wisconsin's mining laws.

Speaker Robin Vos and Majority Leader Scott Suder released a statement Wednesday calling the bill a top priority. They said the measure will help create thousands of jobs but didn't offer any details on what changes the bill might make.

Suder said in an interview Republicans are using a version of a mining reform bill the Legislature's budget committee approved last March as a starting point but discussions are ongoing.

Vos and Suder's announcement came as Republican Gov. Scott Walker hit the road to stump for mining reform at state businesses.

The GOP has been working for the last year to help Gogebic Taconite open a huge iron mine near Lake Superior.