Do Not Be Lulled By GOP Delays On DNR 'Reform,' Changes To Mining Review Procedures

The GOP has set aside, for the time being, consideration of an iron ore industry-led effort in Wisconsin to cut back the review period by the Department of Natural Resources for mining permits and to also cut back traditional grassroots participation role in mine permit decision-making.

Coincidentally, or not, the Walker administration has yet to follow through on a plan - - leaked memo about it, here - -  to reorganize the DNR by Executive Order, including the fast-tracking of permitting in general to facilitate Walker's 'open-for-business' PR.

The corporatists whom Walker has installed atop the DNR, like the conservative advocacy groups that financed the GOP's takeover in Wisconsin, will make sure these changes at the agency and the way it does its regulatory job are rolled out and codified in the interest of Big Business before the end of the year.

The mining permit changes could be included or essentially guaranteed in the details of the agency reshaping.

Put nothing past Walker, as he's the one who bragged to the fake David Koch about the quiet planning that preceded his assault on collective bargaining:

"Came home from the Super Bowl...had all of my cabinet over...it was kind of the last hurrah before we dropped the bomb."

Walker has defended the concept as has the state's largest newspaper, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.