Fresh Walker Double-Talk On Mining

After the defeat of the mining bill, the AP reported:

Walker says he's asked former Bucyrus International CEO Tim Sullivan to bring mining experts and conservation leaders together to see if there's a way to get the mine near Ashland approved. He predicts modified legislation could be considered by the end of the year.

Lee Berguist reports in today's Journal Sentinel:

A business group is trying to jump-start talks on mining legislation with behind-the-scenes discussions and the expertise of an international consultant.

The Wisconsin Mining Association has hired Behre Dolbear Group Inc. to analyze Wisconsin's mining laws...

The chairman of the mining association is Tim Sullivan, the former chairman and chief executive officer of Bucyrus International, who was appointed by Walker in February as a special assistant for business and workforce development...

A spokesman for Walker emphasized, however, that Sullivan is not the governor's point person on mining. "Mr. Sullivan is not doing any work for the governor as an adviser on mining," spokesman Cullen Werwie said.