Governor Scott Walker signs asbestos bill opposed by veterans

MADISON (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker has quietly signed a bill opposed by numerous veterans groups and Democrats that changes the process for bringing asbestos exposure lawsuits.

The bill was among 29 that Walker signed privately on Thursday morning in Milwaukee. Walker's legislative liaison sent lawmakers an email notifying them that the governor was signing the bills into law.

Veterans had been lobbying strongly against the bill, which they say will delay and deny justice to those who have gotten sick due to asbestos exposure. But last week the lobbyist for the Military Order of the Purple Heart of Wisconsin urged veterans to stop their effort urging Walker to veto the bill because one of his aides signaled he was going to sign it.

Walker's spokeswoman did not immediately return a message.