UPDATED: Friday, November 30, 2012 -- 7:25 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A rematch is shaping up at the Wisconsin Legislature over proposed streamlining of Wisconsin's mine permitting laws this winter.

Leaders from northern Wisconsin communities pleaded for environmental protections at a hearing of a special legislative committee Thursday.

Officials with the Wisconsin Mining Association also testified before the state Senate Select Committee on Mining. They presented a consultant's report critical of current permitting laws.

The Wisconsin State Journal (http://bit.ly/YckXJW ) reports Republicans on the committee say the GOP will test its new majorities by trying to again pass the mining bill that failed last session.

Gov. Scott Walker said this week that Gogebic Taconite, the company that wanted to build a mine near Lake Superior but pulled out after the bill failed, is interested in returning if the legislation eases its way.

Copyright 2012: Associated Press

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Posted Thursday, November 8, 2012 --- 10:41 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- It's a Republican redux in Madison.

After surging back into full control of state government in Tuesday's elections, GOP legislative leaders already are laying the framework for the next legislative session.

They've been vague about exactly what's on tap. But their top priority will be crafting the next state budget. The rest of their agenda likely could include another stab at revising mining statutes, more work on lightening business regulations, tax cuts, voucher school expansion and legislation aimed at job creation.

Democratic leaders say they hope Republicans have learned they need to reach across the aisle after the last session, which saw Senate Democrats flee the state in a futile attempt to block a GOP plan to strip most public workers of nearly all their union rights.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.