Senate committee approves Republican mining bill

MADISON (WITI) -- A state Senate committee has approved a Republican bill designed to make it easier to open a massive new iron mine near Lake Superior.

The votes send the measure on to the Legislature's Finance Committee -- the last stop before the measure goes to the full Senate and Assembly.

Republicans insist the bill will help create hundreds if not thousands of jobs.

Democrats say the Legislation relaxes environmental protections and won't create the jobs Republicans say it will.

Republicans made a number of revisions to the bill on Wednesday, February 6th that they say addresses critics' concerns.