DFL Sen. Tom Bakk Says GOP's PolyMet Move Could Backfire
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota's Senate majority leader says he's worried a Republican push to make a special session contingent on a PolyMet project pledge could do more harm than good.
Democratic Sen. Tom Bakk told The Associated Press on Friday that requiring Gov. Mark Dayton's administration to promise a smoother regulatory review of the project could provoke legal trouble. House Speaker Kurt Daudt has sought the Dayton assurance as part of negotiations over a possible special session on steelworker unemployment assistance.
Bakk is a leading legislative proponent of the PolyMet copper-nickel mine, which would be located in the northeastern Minnesota area he represents. The project is in critical stages of environmental review.
He says any shortcuts "could potentially weaken the state's position in a lawsuit" challenging permits.
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