Posted by: KFTC staff on October 25, 2013
The Clean Energy Collaborative, formed nearly three years ago when KFTC and allies stopped the coal-burning Smith plant, held its final meeting October 23 in Lexington.
Posted by: Ryan Fenwick on October 22, 2013
Jefferson County Chapter recently chose to identify local issues as a way to both improve the county and also reach out to a broader section of the urban population that is not yet connected to KFTC’s statewide work. The process for local issue selection is not obvious. Assembled KFTC members have no shortage of issues, quickly identifying years worth of issues worthy of grassroots attention. There is no shortage of cooperative attitude, but there are many potential approaches to this important decision process.
Chapter members agreed the first step to selecting the chapter issue was to brainstorm issues to be discussed at the April chapter meeting. KFTC principles for issue selection were presented by Jefferson County organizer Alicia Hurle, and discussion led to additional criteria being added. The group determined a local issue should be one that is winnable with opportunities for action in the short term, even if completely winning would ultimately take focus over a longer time horizon. The group also agreed the ideal local issue would be important to people in areas not currently connected to state wide work. We want an issue that will energize the chapter and get members involved in our work. Outreach to chapter members encouraged them to contribute issues they would like to see considered and were invited to participate in discussion of issues and the process for selecting issues at the next chapter meeting.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on October 22, 2013
For the first time, some members of the Kentucky Senate got to hear testimony on the issue of restoring voting rights to former felons.
The Interim Task Force on Elections, Constitutional Amendments and Intergovernmental Affairs, with members from both the House and Senate, heard testimony on bills that would allow Kentucky voters to amend the state constitution to automatically restore voting rights to former felons once they’ve served their debt to society.
Posted by: Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on October 21, 2013
A growing number of Kentuckians continue to stand up for our water, land and health by standing against the proposed Williams & Boardwalk hazardous liquids Bluegrass Pipeline.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on October 14, 2013
The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) recently released an important report calling for the creation of an Appalachian Planning and Development Fund to oversee a strategic planning process that emphasizes “community participation, accountability and democracy.”
MACED proposes that 25 percent of annual eastern Kentucky coal severance tax dollars should be allocated to this fund, starting immediately. Under this plan, some portion of those dollars would be available on an annual basis to invest in economic development projects and strategies in coal-producing counties. The remainder would be set aside in a “permanent fund” for future use. The proposal also calls for the creation of a board of directors and a broader citizens advisory panel to evaluate development strategies and direct the use of funds.
"The loss of so many coal jobs and our diminishing severance taxes are on everyone's minds," said Justin Maxson, president of MACED. "As our resources become scarcer, it's even more important that we spend them as wisely as possible. The longer we wait to act, the deeper the challenge becomes."
One important aspect of MACED’s report is the emphasis on the process used to make decisions about investments from the permanent fund. The report references a recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, which concluded that the key to a struggling city’s revitalization isn’t geography or industry mix, but rather “broad, innovative leadership and collaboration.”
MACED’s report can be found here.
Posted by: KFTC on October 11, 2013
In a positive step for community throughout Kentucky, a federal judge last week agreed with a broad coalition of local, state and national groups that the U.S.
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on October 9, 2013
Nearly 20 members of the Northern Kentucky and Scott County chapters participated in a day of learning and experiencing different ways people are working to build a more sustainabile and healthy Ke
Posted by: Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on October 9, 2013
In the face of Williams’ aggressive and misleading media campaign, members and allies have been helping Kentuckians learn more about the risks of natural gas liquids and Williams’ safety record. In the past couple of weeks, members and allies have tabled at festivals, organized community information meetings, and gone door-to-door along the proposed route to make sure that their neighbors and communities have the information and opportunities to take action.
Amy Palumbo, a member who works in Hardin County and lives in LaRue County, organized a community information meeting in Hardin County. Amy said that she organized the meeting because she went to the Williams' Open House in Hardin County and didn’t get real answers. “I just felt like it’s important that people have their questions answered, and know what this is, so they can make informed decisions.”
Posted by: Carissa Lenfert on October 4, 2013
Next Tuesday the Supreme Court is hearing a
huge case on campaign finance reform. And Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell will be there to testify in favor of eliminating campaign contribution limits in the case McCutcheon vs FEC.
Right now individuals are limited in how much we can give to a candidate running for office. Senator McConnell and others are arguing that since you can give unlimited amounts of money to super PACs, you should be able to give unlimited amounts of cash directly to candidates. This could open up an additional floodgate for money in campaigns. In the last election cycle, one individual gave $20.5 million to the American Crossroads PAC.
Posted by: Joe Gallenstein on October 4, 2013
A couple of years ago several musicians from the Greater Cincinnati area came together to help raise money to put an end to mountaintop removal mining by supporting Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and Ohio Citizen Action. They created a CD filled with local music that was unique to that album. The efforts raised over $15,000, split between the two organizations.
