In January and February, two eastern Kentucky chapters have started the year off with a bang.
Harlan County chapter members met on January 25 and did some deep visioning on what they want the chapter to work on over the course of the next year, bringing long-time members as well as folks new to KFTC together.
“I'm excited for the direction the chapter is moving in. I believe this can be a great thing for Harlan County, and it can move Harlan in a very positive direction, for the benefit of all who live here,” Lily Milovnik, a Harlan County High School student, said in regards to the January chapter meeting.
Tonight, on February 26, the Newport City Commission voted unanimously to approve a Syringe Access Exchange! This was the result of concentrated grassroots work lead by Newport residents over the past 5 months.
This past October several Newport residents began attending City Commission meetings to talk about the need for syringe access exchange, often referred to as a needle exchange, in their community. Partnering with Democratic Socialists of America of Metro Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, they began a campaign to build support for the exchange in their community.
In January and February, two eastern Kentucky chapters have started the year off with a bang.
Harlan County chapter members met on January 25 and did some deep visioning on what they want the chapter to be working on over the course of the next year, bringing long-time members as well as folks new to KFTC together.
H.B. 227, proposed by GOP lawmakers early in January 2018, would smash Kentucky's independent solar businesses and shatter our opportunity to create a thriving clean energy economy. Here are reflections from Kentuckians on why this bill would lead our state away, not towards, the bright future and just transition that we deserve.
Following five years of successful annual membership meetings at General Butler State Park, the KFTC Steering Committee voted to relocate the KFTC Annual Meeting to Berea College on August 3-5, 2018.
The vote followed a year-long conversation in which committee members met with KFTC staff and Berea College representatives to explore a possible relocation.
The annual meeting is an important and necessary part of KFTC’s efforts to build grassroots power in Kentucky. It provides unique opportunities for members and folks who are interested in KFTC from every corner of the state and different backgrounds to come together for a weekend of gaining leadership skills, building community and having fun.
Years ago, a popular song had the refrain, “What a difference a day makes.” For me, I’d alter those lyrics to “What a difference a comment makes.” For it was this comment, “I’m afraid for our democracy” uttered during a political conversation a year ago that led me to the Kentuckians For The Commonwealth Constitutional Convention lobby day on January 23.
In the past year I’ve learned more about what that comment means and now I’m afraid for our democracy, too.
In 2017, the Madison County chapter hosted a groundbreaking State of the City Address in Berea that changed the culture of this annual event.
Previously, the event had been held during business hours and was hosted by the Berea Chamber of Commerce, which used it as an annual fundraiser.
After conversations with Mayor Steve Connelly, the chapter was given the opportunity to re-envision the event and make it more welcoming and inclusive of many folks.
Hundreds of Scott County residents came out to oppose the application by the Central Kentucky Landfill to have 170+ acres near it being rezoned from agricultural use to industrial in order to allow
