Council backs resolution urging state action on disabled coal miners' benefits

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Morgantown City Council voted 6-0 Tuesday to approve a resolution urging state lawmakers to protect and increase benefits for disabled coal miners.

Deputy Mayor Butcher presented the resolution, noting it was brought to the council by an advocate from the Appalachian Citizens Law Center and that about 17 other municipalities in the state had taken similar action. The resolution asks state officials to prevent cuts to black lung benefits and to adjust benefit levels to reflect inflation; presenters told council that benefit levels have fallen roughly 30 percent when adjusted for inflation.

A motion to approve passed on a voice/roll-call vote with no recorded opposition. Council members discussed procedural questions raised earlier in the meeting about timing and opportunities for public input on resolutions, and several members said they supported additional public briefings for broader issues while noting this resolution was an item requested by the county commission and local advocates.

The council’s resolution is a nonbinding municipal statement urging the state legislature and appropriate agencies to act on benefits for disabled coal miners.