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GREEN BAY-- Gov. Scott Walker says passing a mining bill will be republican lawmakers’ top priority in 2013.

Republicans say the bill would streamline the mining process in the state and create thousands of jobs.

The governor joined fellow republicans at Valley Plating and Fabricating in Green Bay, a company that could benefit from a mining bill.  

The governor says a new mining bill is currently being drafted and he says he does not expect it to be vastly different from a bill that failed last year because of environmental concerns.

But democrats say a mining bill needs to look out for everyone best interest.

The previous mining bill was blocked by a republican vote in the senate. But republicans now hold an 18 to 15 majority and could pass the bill even without full republican support