Budget panel to consider Wisconsin mining bill

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Republicans hope to reach a compromise on a contentious mining permit bill before the Legislature's budget committee convenes for a vote on the measure.

The Joint Finance Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Monday afternoon. Committee approval would clear the way for a full Senate vote.

But the exercise could be moot. The GOP holds a slim 17-16 majority in the Senate and Republican Sen. Dale Schultz has said he can't support the bill because it doesn't protect the environment and eliminates public challenges to permit decisions.

Republican leaders have been trying to negotiate a deal with Schultz. Talks were set to resume Monday morning ahead of the finance committee meeting.

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