Posted by: KFTC Staff on August 11, 2020
Note: The Election Kentucky Deserves was sent on August 12 as an open letter to Secretary of State Michael Adams, Governor Andy Beshear and all members of the State Board of Elections from 54 Kentucky organizations.
Most Kentuckians agree that our democracy works best when we all have a voice and a vote in the decisions impacting our lives.
In this year’s primary election, many Kentuckians could vote early or by mail for the very first time and overwhelmingly chose those options. We had record voter turnout and largely did it safely from our homes. It wasn’t perfect. But that’s something to celebrate in any election and especially in the middle of a pandemic.
Now the risk of COVID-19 is greater than ever. Kentucky has the opportunity to improve upon that election process and give Kentuckians the election we deserve – one that makes voting safe, convenient, secure and robust.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on August 10, 2020
NEXT EPISODE: Tuesday, July 17, 2021 – 1 p.m. ET. TOPIC: Participatory Budgeting.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on July 20, 2020
As KFTC quickly approaches our 40th anniversary next summer, there’s much to consider celebrating.
The organization – with origins in tax reform and a deep history and brand of Appalachian environmentalists – has grown to become the commonwealth’s premier group of grassroots social justice lobbyists and voting rights advocates. Across the country, KFTC is held in high esteem among our peers.
We certainly have grown quite a bit, to the degree that we need a temperature check and a recalibration.
On May 28, Executive Director Burt Lauderdale, Chairperson Cassia Herron and Organizational Development Consultant Pamela Chiang made a presentation to the Steering Committee laying out the case to orient and organize ourselves toward an Organizational Change Initiative (OCI). The Steering Committee approved the proposal.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on July 14, 2020
The Kentucky Voting Rights Coalition has just under 3 months to register some 170,000 people with felonies in their past who got their right to vote back through Beshear's executive action. We plan to do it through phone conversations, texting, door-to-door canvassing, mailers, PSAs, and more. But all that starts with training! Can you come out to learn more about how to help people navigate this process? If so, sign up below!
Posted by: Beth Emery on July 3, 2020
This piece is written by member Beth Emery of Scott County. She and other members of the community led a fight against the Central Kentucky Landfill after it was proven there was illegal dumping in the landfill by the company that owns the landfill. Members in the Rolling Bluegrass KFTC Chapter joined the work in raising awareness about this issue, promoting and attending fiscal court meetings, zoning board meetings and more. The chapter is thrilled to be able to share what residents have won in Scott County, and celebrate their victory with them.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on July 3, 2020
Kentucky will have a better chance at seeing its $400 million backlog of mine reclamation projects move forward thanks to legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 1.
Both the RECLAIM Act and reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Lands Program were included in the INVEST in America Act (a.k.a The Moving Forward Act), a broad bill addressing the country’s infrastructure needs.
"I am overjoyed that Congress is finally helping to clean up abandoned mines and polluted waterways," said Joanne Hill, a retired nurse originally from Harlan County now living in Pulaski County. "For too long, Kentuckians have been pleading for action with no response.”
Posted by: KFTC Staff on July 1, 2020
In so many ways, the primary election of 2020 was unprecedented.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on June 30, 2020
Thousands of us across Kentucky were honored to work for an amazing, inspiring candidate, Rep. Charles Booker. And though he didn’t win his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, he changed the conversation. He stood up for a bold vision and showed up for Kentuckians in times of crisis. He called out our broken system and called on all of us to build a brighter future.
It’s essential for Kentucky, our country and the world that we elect new leadership to the U.S. Senate in November, and we’re committed to helping make that happen. Once again, the eyes of the nation will be on Kentuckians. As we continue our work to register and mobilize new voters and have even more conversations, we'll be holding Amy McGrath to her commitment to learning from the Booker movement and centering Kentuckians in her campaign. She must hear from us, and we must work together to elect a new senator.
Posted by: KFTC Staff on June 30, 2020
The U.S. House has taken the lead on several bills that would provide immediate and long-term aid and jobs for people and communities hit hard by the pandemic and economic downturn. But unless Sen. Mitch McConnell allows the Senate to act soon, Kentucky communities will face devastating budget cuts to schools, health care, human services, infrastructure, public safety, unemployment insurance and more.
Specifically, the House has taken the initiative to pass:
- the HEROES Act
- the Moving Forward Act or infrastructure bill (H.R. 2)
Posted by: Dave Newton on June 25, 2020
Even after the last polls are closed, there are a few things we can do to make sure every vote is counted in this primary election.
Some Kentuckians will hear from their County Clerks this week because their signature won't look quite look like the signature on file. They'll have the opportunity to "cure" their signatures leading up to June 30th. If they don't, their ballots won't count.
