Congress
Benham & Jackson are first Kentucky cities to pass a local resolution supporting miners and communities
The Benham City Council in Harlan County and Jackson City Council in Breathitt County are the first local governments in Kentucky to pass a local resolution calling on members of Congress to pass three bills needed to help sick, disabled, retired and unemployed coal workers and their families and communities. Benham’s city government took the unanimous action at its monthly meeting on September 13. Jackson's city government adopted the resolution one week later on September 20, 2018.
Advocates hope other local governments may soon follow their example. A similar resolution was adopted several weeks ago in Virginia by the City of Big Stone Gap.
Local Resolution passed by Benham, 9.13.2018
On September 13, 2018 the City of Benham passed a local resolution calling on members of Congress to pass the RECLAIM Act, strengthen the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, and protect pensions promised to miners and their surviving spouses.
Trump coal plan kills more than it helps
Even Donald Trump's own Environmental Protection Agency says his proposal to replace the Clean power Plan would kill and sicken thousands of people.
Stanley Sturgill tells congressional hearing of attacks on coal miners
In June, Harlan County KFTC member Stanley Sturgill spoke at a congressional forum about poverty hosted by Senator Elizabeth Warren and Rep Elijah Cummings and coordinated with the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival.
Black Lung Benefits Trust Fund fact sheet
This one-page fact sheet describes the urgent need for Congress to secure funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, which provides monthly payments and medical benefits to coal miners disabled from black lung disease and their surviving dependents, if their employer is bankrupt or when no coal operator can be identified as responsible for paying benefits.
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