MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - It's another noisy day at the State Capitol, as the Wisconsin Assembly takes up the controversial bill making it easier to get state permits for iron ore mines. The house went into session shortly before the noon hour. The Wisconsin Radio Network said members of the Bad River Indian tribe spiked the decibel levels in the Capitol Rotunda with loud drum-beats -- while others held up a sign altering Governor Scott Walker's "Open for Business" mantra. The tribal members' sign read "Wisconsin is not an open pit for business." The proposed Gogebic Taconite iron ore mine would be located near the Bad River Reservation in Ashland and Iron counties -- and the Indians say it would hurt the region's environment. Meanwhile, a number of business groups from grocers to mining equipment makers sent a joint letter urging lawmakers not to pass up the large number of jobs the mine would bring to Wisconsin. Gogebic Taconite says it would offer 700 permanent jobs in running the mine -- and that doesn't include the jobs in constructing the mine.
