All it took was three days and 14 lives.

The West Virginia Legislature acted with unusual speed last week in pushing through a mine safety reform bill by waiving normal rules and doing it in a day. Two days later, Gov. Joe Manchin signed it into law.

It makes me wonder what they’re going to do the other 57 days for an encore. And, it makes me wonder about all the foot dragging of past legislative sessions on matters of equal importance.

This action, though, effectively torpedoes any new efforts to extend the legislative session. This proves lawmakers can get busy when they need to and have to and when CNN and Fox are around 24 hours a day to put the heat on.

I commend Manchin and legislators for their swift action on matters that probably should be law. Let’s hope lawmakers bothered to read it before they voted and we’ll see no equally bad unintended consequences from their hurry.

It’s easy to criticize government for not acting quickly enough. I won’t do that because it’s human nature to ignore something until it can no longer be ignored. I’m very sorry for the friends and families who are dealing with the miners’ deaths, but I hope their solace is knowing those lives were the impetus to save other lives.

And, according to The Charleston Gazette, officials in five other coal states are considering some kind of mine safety reform. Imagine West Virginia being first in something good instead of 50th for a change.

Lest we begin to feel too good about ourselves, let me, in typical journalistic fashion, throw cold water on the party. You knew it was coming. Every time I brag on the Legislature, there’s always heck to pay later.

Standing up to King Coal takes a lot of brass in this state. Passing legislation that will cost coal companies money is equally brassy. And how about that $100,000 fine for any operator who fails to report a serious accident within 15 minutes? Whew! That’s a big enough pop to get even Don Blankenship’s attention.

Aside from the obvious state employment tied to coal production, the real influence of King Coal is in the halls of government. And in the coffers of political candidates. This is, after all, an election year.

It’s good public relations right now to talk tough after Sago and Aracoma, but how many of these high-minded lawmakers hollering for change in mine safety laws will be hollering for change from coal operators’ pockets in the next few weeks? How many of them will have the decency and nerve to refuse contributions from said owners as an honest gesture to show miners they are willing to put something more than a vote on the line for mine safety?

Political imagery aside, this one-industry mindset has been an elephant in West Virginia’s parlor for some years now. What’s different is the elephant finally sat down on the family piano and crushed it. And, lo and behold, the Legislature got busy.

Where was the righteous indignation when coal owners weren’t paying their share of workers’ compensation premiums? Where was the righteous indignation when roads in coal counties degenerated into hazardous cow paths? Where was the righteous indignation when coal operators sucked the best of West Virginia out of the state and dropped a few coins of severance taxes on their way out the door? Where was the righteous indignation when coal operators flouted environmental laws?

Nobody could see the righteous indignation through the thick smoke in those political back rooms where all the deals got made and the backs got scratched.

For the record, I don’t hate King Coal or any other big business. If it weren’t for big business, flunkies like me wouldn’t be able to pay the bills. However, big business brings big responsibility along with its big profits.

And it’s about time this state’s leaders started asking King Coal to pay his fair share for the fiddler. Lord, have mercy. Black people in this country got their emancipation more than 100 years ago. West Virginians are still waiting — and dying — for theirs.

— Young is a Register-Herald columnist.

E-mail: ynerissa@adelphia.net.

© Nerissa Young 2006