The following statement was issued by National Mining Association (NMA) President and CEO Hal Quinn upon release of President Obama’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011:
 
“President Obama’s budget proposal, by increasing taxes for America’s most affordable energy source—coal—threatens good-paying mining jobs and jobs in small businesses and manufacturing that depend on reliable and affordable energy to meet payrolls and remain competitive in a global economy.  At a time when all American’s are focused on the need to keep the jobs we have and to create new ones, these budget proposals will only result in higher costs for half the electricity  used in this country and generated from coal—the nation’s most abundant energy resource.
 
“The more than 375,000 people who work in America’s mines are the backbone of our economy and are essential to our recovery.  They are not asking for a hand-out, rather they are ready to work to rebuild America.  Their efforts should not be stopped by new taxes that will cost jobs and hurt our economy.”