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Lawmaker says bill package seeks balance, not shadow governance

Kevin Dooley
/
https://flic.kr/p/9qV6BW

Lawmakers behind a bill package that some have accused of creating a “shadow government” say they are just trying to find balance.

                                            

The bill package would create an industry-led panel to oversee and approve DEQ regulations. Opponents call  the proposals “fox in the henhouse bills.”

On Monday the Great Lakes Business Network released a statement calling on the governor to veto the package if it makes it to his desk.

Republican State Senator Tom Casperson sponsored the bill package. He said the state unfairly favors environmental voices.

“The rules that have come out in the past were unreasonable rules and when you looked at who was doing it the department seemed to control it and my opinion was the environmental groups had an awful lot of sway in that decision making.”

The senator said the goal is not for industry members to enrich themselves.

“We’re not trying to put anybody in a position where they would be in there solely to represent themselves in the sense of profiting them on something.”

Casperson said the primary goal is to make sure there is due process for regulation.

“We are simply, truly, trying to get to a balance. I haven’t run into too many people, any really, that suggest they want to somehow hurt the environment. We’re looking for some checks and balances here so that whatever we do come up with is reasonable. Number one it works, and it’s reasonable.”

Members of environmental groups say industry input is good - but giving an industry-board veto power is not.

The bills passed out of the state Senate and have been referred to the House Natural Resources committee.