Gov of WV goes to DC

[robz]

Watching the news Sat night, the Gov of WV said he is going to Washington next week to propose new legislation on mine safety. Why would he go to Washington? As a State Governor could he not propose legistation in West Virginia? I would think he has a better chance of getting something done quickly and less watered down in West Virginia. Why involve the so called "gentlemen" in DC?

thanks

[Ferret Herder]

Wild-ass guess: More publicity, plus he hopes for this to be a national plan rather than just covering the miners in his own state and no others. I'm sure he'll push for legislation at home as well.

[David Simmons]

Watching the news Sat night, the Gov of WV said he is going to Washington next week to propose new legislation on mine safety. Why would he go to Washington? As a State Governor could he not propose legistation in West Virginia? I would think he has a better chance of getting something done quickly and less watered down in West Virginia. Why involve the so called "gentlemen" in DC?

thanksThe first thing he said was that he was going to propose changes to West Virginia's mine safety laws and procedures. Next he was going to Washington to see what could be done about strengthening the federal mine safety effort.

Before any changes are made there has to be a determination as to the causes of the accidents and what measures will best correct the problems. Meantime he can drum up political support in Washington for increased federal oversight and enforcement of the federal program and lay groundwork for strengthening federal mine safety oversight. In the present mindset of the administration and congress being hell bent to get regulators off private enterprise's back this would seem to be sort of important.

The federal government has a role in mine safety underThe Mine Safety & Health Act of 1977 (http://www.msha.gov/REGS/ACT/ACTTC.HTM).

The purpose of the act:... it is the purpose of this Act (1) to establish interim mandatory health and safety standards and to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare and the Secretary of Labor to develop and promulgate improved mandatory health or safety standards to protect the health and safety of the Nation's coal or other miners; (2) to require that each operator of a coal or other mine and every miner in such mine comply with such standards; (3) to cooperate with, and provide assistance to, the States in the development and enforcement of effective State coal or other mine health and safety programs; and (4) to improve and expand, in cooperation with the States and the coal or other mining industry, research and development and training programs aimed at preventing coal or other mine accidents and occupationally caused diseases in the industry.