By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery AL – About 300 miners and their supporters rallied in Montgomery Tuesday for more mine inspectors and more frequent mine inspections. Lawmakers are considering a funding increase that would double the number of state mine inspectors from three to six. But United Mine Workers leader Daryl Dewberry says that's still too few. Dewberry says Alabama has 50 game wardens for every one mine inspector. He says Alabama's deer population is more protected that the state's miners. Alabama AFL-CIO leader Al Henley told the miners that the state has cut its budget for mine inspections since 13 Alabama miners died in 2001. He says that shows the influence of business on the Alabama Legislature. Riley is trying to double the budget to one million dollars. But the miners say the budget needs to be more than three million dollars and the state needs 21 inspectors.