Wis. Dem postpones mining bill until next week

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A Democratic lawmaker in Wisconsin has postponed introducing his version of new mining regulations until next week.

Sen. Tim Cullen formed a bipartisan committee last year to study Wisconsin's mining regulations and develop strategies for streamlining them. He formed the group after a Republican bill that would have overhauled the state's regulations failed in the Senate by one vote in March.

Republicans unveiled a bill Wednesday that mirrors the proposal that died. The new bill didn't include any ideas from Cullen's committee, leaving the Janesville Democrat incensed.

Cullen promised to introduce his own bill on Friday. But his office says drafting has been delayed, pushing the introduction back to Tuesday.

Cullen's bill has almost no chance of passing, at least not as a comprehensive proposal. Republicans control both the Senate and Assembly.