Gov. plans to sign mining bill on today

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Republican Gov. Scott Walker says he plans to sign Republicans' polarizing mining bill on Monday.

The governor plans to officially sign the bill at Oldenburg Group Inc., a mining equipment manufacturer in Rhinelander, early in the afternoon. He also plans a ceremonial signing at P&H Mining Equipment in Milwaukee later in the day.

The bill makes sweeping changes to the state's mining regulations in hopes of jump-starting Gogebic Taconite's plans for a huge iron mine just south of Lake Superior.

The GOP maintains the mine would create thousands of jobs but the company has refused to move forwarded until lawmakers ease their regulatory path. Conservationists contend the bill loosens the state's environmental standards and will allow devastating pollution but Walker has embraced the project.