Although the legislature did not ratify the Great Lakes Compact in the now ended 2007-08 legislative session, no one in Madison is giving up, not even the lawmaker most often cited as the reason the pact didn't pass. State Representative Scott Gunderson ( R-Waterford), chair of the Assembly Committee on Natural Resources, objected to various points in the compact. He was supported by Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch ( R-Onalaska) who did not force a vote on SB 523 before the session ended.
However, passage of the pact remains a possibility, either as part of budget adjustment action in the upcoming special session on the budget, or perhaps as a separate special session of its own.
Below are different perspectives on this topic;
To learn more from Governor Doyle on the possibility of a special session, click here.
Representative Gunderson has been quoted as saying work is continuing. Read it here.
Senator Neal Kedzie ( R-Elkhorn), chair of a special study committee on the compact, has stated why he cannot support SB 523 now, but believes a pact will pass. Read it here.
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