Following Joe's Money

I wonder if Joe's vote against the mine safety legislation has anything to do with where Joe Knollenberg is getting his campaign contrubutions from. What do you think?

Ms. Stephanie Salvagno COALPAC - National Mining Assoc. 101 Constitution Ave NW # 500 East Washington, DC 200012133		11/05/2007	500.00
			500.00
	Receipt
Ms. Stephanie Salvagno MINEPAC - National Mining Assoc. 101 Constitution Ave NW, #500 East Washington, DC 20001		11/05/2007	500.00
			500.00
	Receipt

Ms. Beverly Marshall Duke-Energy PAC 422 S. Church Street, PB05D Charlotte, North Carolina 282420001		10/27/2007	1000.00
	Treasurer		1000.00
	Receipt

Mr. Jeff Hogg RJ Reynolds PAC 1201 F Street, #1000 Washington, DC 20004		12/12/2007	1000.00
			2000.00
	Receipt

This is unconscionable. The S-Miner Act would:

* Help prevent disasters. It would add new safeguards for a dangerous practice called “retreat mining.” It would strengthen standards to contain explosions and fires inside mines. It strengthens the enforcement hand of the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, in part by giving the agency subpoena authority. It increases certain penalties against mine operators that violate the law. And it creates a miner ombudsman’s office to handle safety complaints from miners.

* Improve emergency response in the event that a disaster does occur. The legislation more clearly defines MSHA’s responsibilities and authority at the scene of a disaster. It requires MSHA to develop a plan to better coordinate with state and local authorities. It establishes rules for independent investigations of mining disasters. And it would improve safety technology in the mines, including better tracking and communications equipment, more reliable air supplies, and the installation of refuge chambers where trapped miners can safely await rescue.

* Reduce long-term health risks facing miners. The legislation updates standards to combat black lung disease and to reduce miners’ exposure to other deadly health risks, such as asbestos. It also strengthens rules to better inform miners of the health risks they face.

Now we know why Joe voted no.