Multiple Millions From Mining Interests Stain, Shame Wisconsin's Capitol

No wonder the Legislature is rushing the bill to the Governor.

Legislators and the Governor collected $15.6 million from pro-mining/environmental-standard weakening special interests between 2010 and early 2012 - - with Joint Finance Committee member Sen. Alberta Darling, (R-River Hills) alone hauling down $467,000 - - while environmentalists in favor of maintaining current mining and water law spent $25,500, according to media reports based on Wisconsin Democracy Campaign WDC) data.

The other day I had this to say about this disgrace, and it's even more true as news filters out about this unprecedented torrent of special-interest money - - hat tip to the non-partisan, non-profit WDC - - staining the Capitol and Wisconsin state history:

Scott Walker's industry-written mining bill will fill wetlands, pollute rivers, undermine a large body of Wisconsin environmental law and revive a bad old national story and shame  - - the willful disregard of treaties with Native Americans.   

Hang your head, Miss Forward... 

Every lawmaker voting "aye" on the mining bill earns permanently the description laid upon Martin Sheen by Marlon Brando in "Apocalypse Now."

"You're an errand boy, sent by grocery clerks, to collect a bill."