Charleston, W.Va., October 31, 2013 – Three Jackson Kelly attorneys recently provided industry insight at EMLF’s Kentucky Mineral Law Conference: Chad Sullivan, Brandon Renner and R. Henry “Hank” Moore. Sullivan and Renner, both attorneys in the Firm’s Evansville, Indiana, office, presented on mineral development in the Illinois Basin and the recently enacted Illinois Hydraulic Fracturing Regulatory Act. During the coal session, Moore addressed the Mine Safety and Health Administration’s recent actions against individual dust samplers.

Sullivan represents the coal and oil and gas industries in litigation regarding royalty disputes, lease interpretation, slurry injection rights, coalbed methane and other mineral ownership issues, objections to longwall mining and determination of working interest ownership.

Renner focuses his practice on issues associated with natural resource development, specifically as it relates to the acquisition of mineral interests and operations.  He is routinely involved in the issuance of title opinions for major coal producers and independent oil and gas operators in the Illinois Basin and works closely with industry landmen assisting in curative-related matters.

Moore’s practice is primarily concentrated in the areas of compliance counseling, litigation of civil and criminal enforcement matters, accident investigation and discrimination claims under both state and federal statutory provisions.  He is the Manager of the Firm’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, office, where he is a member of the Firm’s nationwide Occupational Safety and Health Practice Group.

The EMLF promotes the study of the laws and regulations related to natural resource development and energy use through its varied programs. As an Accredited Provider of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education programs, AAPL and other professional recertification credits, the Foundation provides numerous opportunities for professional development.

Jackson Kelly PLLC is a national law firm representing leading global corporations, national companies, entrepreneurs and individuals in areas of law such as environmental, business, labor and employment, federal and state workers’ compensation, civil litigation and occupational safety and health. The firm has offices in Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

By Jesse Wilson
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS – More than 925,000 Hoosiers who rely on government assistance to purchase food will receive fewer benefits starting Friday when a program enacted during the economic downturn expires.

The cuts will mean $36 less in monthly benefits for a family of four or about $11 less for a single person who qualifies for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which used to be known as food stamps.

Emily Weikert Bryant, executive director of Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, said $36 “means several days’ worth of food for a struggling family.”

“Clients already have a difficult time putting enough food on their tables and paying their bills even with SNAP benefits,” she said.

The increased benefits went into effect in 2009 when Congress passed the Recovery Act, a collection of programs meant to boost the American economy. But the increase was never meant to be permanent.

SNAP is funded by the federal government but administered by the state. Officials at the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration say they’ve been warning recipients about the upcoming drop in aid.

“We have been sending notifications by mail for about a month” said Marni Lemons, a spokeswoman for FSSA. “We are always prepared to receive calls from people who need assistance and any calls that come in about the reduction in SNAP aid will be well handled.”

Overall, the federal government will send about $98 million less to Indiana for SNAP through September 2014 than if the stimulus program had been extended. About 14 percent of Hoosiers will be affected.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank in Washington D.C., about 436,000 children in Indiana will be affected by the cuts. Another 164,000 Hoosiers who are elderly or disabled will be affected.

For a family of three, the cut equals about 16 meals a month, according to the center. That’s based on costs outlined in the U.S. Agriculture Department’s “Thrifty Food Plan.”

The reduced payments will average less than $1.40 per person per meal.

“The depth and breadth of the SNAP cuts that take effect in November are unprecedented,” says a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Past cuts have affected specific states or groups, but they have not affected all participants nor been as large as these cuts.”

The cuts come as a House-Senate conference committee begins work on a farm bill that could mean even more cuts for the SNAP program. Republicans in the House have proposed cutting benefits by $40 billion over 10 years.

The current reductions will affect families as follows:

• Family of 1: $11 a month.
• Family of 2: $20 a month.
• Family of 3: $29 a month.
• Family of 4: $36 a month.
• Family of 5: $43 a month.
• Family of 6: $52 a month.
• Family of 7: $57 a month.
• Family of 8: $65 a month.
• For each additional person: $8 a month.
• Households that receive minimal benefit: $1 a month.

Area food banks expect to see an increase in need once the cuts take effect.

“We hope that Hoosiers statewide will also come to the aid of our friends, neighbors, and family that will be impacted by the loss of food assistance in November by donating food, funds, or time to regional food banks or local pantries to ensure that more food is available to those in need,” said Bryant.

Jesse Wilson is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.