MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker is urging the state's business community to help him pressure the Legislature to pass a bill streamlining the process for opening an iron mine in northern Wisconsin.

Walker made the plea Thursday at the annual business day gathering organized by statewide business group Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce.

Walker says if there's any state that can streamline the process for safe and environmentally sound mining, it's Wisconsin. He says passing the bill will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs not just near the proposed mine near Lake Superior but all across the state.

The Assembly has passed a bill and the Legislature's budget committee has scheduled a hearing on it for Friday so the Senate can take it up as soon as next week.