MADISON - State Senator Mark Miller said this morning "Wisconsin Manufactures & Commerce (WMC) and their associates say jump, and Republicans frantically ask how high".

Less than 24 hours after issuing a threatening press release to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Small Business and Tourism to schedule their water rights bill, the committee capitulated to demands and will be holding a vote Monday morning.

Senate Bill 239/Assembly Bill 874 would make permanent all current usage of high capacity wells. That essentially privatizes the groundwater for that well owner now and into the future. The waters of the state will be allocated on a first-come, first serve basis, running afoul of Wisconsin’s state constitution which protects the waters of Wisconsin for the benefit of all users.

“It has been a very busy session for WMC,” concludes Miller.