Governor Jim Doyle tried Tuesday to kick start Assembly action on the Great Lakes Compact . Doyle, calling the compact essential to protect the Great Lakes, said he'd prefer the Assembly pass a bill clearing the way for the compact this week, not later in a special session.
But on the Assembly floor Tuesday night, an effort by Democrats to force a vote failed. Rep. Scott Gunderson (R-Waterford) said a vote would be premature. “We've got a few folks singing Koombya , and that's good,” said Gunderson, who chairs the Assembly Natural Resources committee. “But this bill isn't ready.” Gunderson gave his word that he'll continue to work for Assembly passage during a special session. Democrats, such as Frank Boyle of Superior, were not happy. “Folks in Superior can't get their boats in,” Boyle shouted. “We can't get in the water, 'cause we ain't got no water no more.”
The Senate passed the bill on a bipartisan 26-6 vote last week. The compact must be approved by the legislatures of all seven Great Lakes states before going into effect.