Republican Rep. Mark Honadel, lead sponsor of a bill that would ease the way for a new iron ore mine to open near Lake Superior, speaks in favor of the measure in the Assembly on

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Republican Rep. Mark Honadel, lead sponsor of a bill that would ease the way for a new iron ore mine to open near Lake Superior, speaks in favor of the measure in the Assembly on Thursday, March 7, 2013, in Madison, Wis. Assembly Republicans say the measure would bring jobs to an economically depressed area while Democrats voiced concerns that the pristine environment would be ravaged. (AP Photo/Scott Bauer) less