KFTC Blog | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

KFTC Blog

Voter registration in Lexington

Posted by: Ondine Quinn on June 11, 2012

Last week members of the central Kentucky chapter registered voters at the Lexington transit center. The transit center is the hub of public transportation in the city with 25 routes loading and unloading riders every 30 minutes. The transit center is a great place to meet folks and to talk to them about voter empowerment.

voterregjune820122

State budget cuts costing students and jobs in Central Kentucky

Posted by: Jessica Hays on June 11, 2012

We're starting to learn more about the impact of the massive budget cuts proposed and passed by Kentucky's elected leaders earlier this year. 

Time history of atmospheric carbon dioxide

Posted by: Jerry Hardt on June 9, 2012

A video released by the Earth System Research Laboratory, brought to our attention by Jim Bruggers and his Watchdog Earth blog, offers a visual depiction of the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide from 800,000 years ago to 2011.

This video illustrates the alarming trend in carbon dioxide emissions in the recent past. In pre-industrial society, our atmospheric CO2 was about 278 parts per million (ppm). But from 1979 to 2011 alone, carbon dioxide has gone from 336 to 391 ppm. Since the video was produced, CO2 levels have continued to climb and are now near 400 ppm on average worldwide, and have exceeded that level in the Arctic region.

EPA action targets illegal valley fills

Posted by: Jerry Hardt on June 6, 2012

Essar Minerals, an India-based company that operates Frasure Creek Mining and other subsidiaries in Kentucky, illegally buried more than two miles of streams in eastern Kentucky, according to legal action taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

KFTC members put focus on Beshear, not EPA

Posted by: Jerry Hardt on June 6, 2012

Bev May emceed the press conference that included KFTC member Doug Doerrfeld; Matt Wasson of Appalachian Voices; John Patterson, a physician from eastern Kentucky; Nick Mullins, a former coal miner; and Kentucky State Senator Kathy Stein.KFTC members delivered a strong message Tuesday evening that the Beshear administration needs to be accountable for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act, and that the U.S. EPA should be allowed to do its job.

By not enforcing the law, there are serious health consequences for people who live near coal mining operations and downstream, members emphasized.

"Each time a [water pollution] permit is issued, the Beshear administration is killing citizens," testified Samantha Cole of Beattyville.

Support members taking action in DC

Posted by: Jerry Hardt on June 5, 2012

UPDATE, 9 pm June 6th

Seven Kentuckians protesting mountaintop mining were arrested today in Congressman Hal Rogers' office for taking part in a non-violent a day of action called Appalachia Rising. In all, 22 citizens were arrested in congressional offices from West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Kentuckians arrested included Stanley Sturgill, Teri Blanton, Tress Spencer, Mary Love, Carey Henson and Erika Skaggs. As of a few moments ago, all have been released. 

Photos and more details are available on the Facebook page of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and at appalachiarising.org.

Kentuckians arrested today now released

Posted by: Jerry Hardt on June 5, 2012

Staging a sit-in at Hal Rogers' DC office todayThe seven people who were arrested today to help expose the complicity of Rep. Hal Rogers with those who are pillaging Appalachia have now been released.

They are Carey Henson, Erika Skaggs, Stanley Sturgill, Mary Love, Kat Wallace, Tress La'Ree and Teri Blanton.

They and other members of the Kentucky delegation, along with more than 100 other residents of Central Appalachia participating in the Week in Washington to End Mountaintop Removal, are waiting for the release of others who were arrested for refusing to leave the offices of members of Congress from other states.

Members lobbying, taking action on Capitol Hill

KFTC member Stanley Sturgill
Posted by: Jerry Hardt on June 4, 2012

Seventeen KFTC members are part of a group of about 150 participating this week in the annual Week in Washington to End Mountaintop Removal, coordinated by the Alliance for Appalachia.

Members are participating in meetings with the offices of members of Congress and agencies that enforce mining and clean water laws. Tomorrow (Wednesday), they will join a rally and Day of Action organized by Appalachia Rising at the capitol.

"I'm a senior citizen and while I should be working on my bucket list and enjoying my retirement," said Harlan County member Stanley Sturgill. "But instead I'm back in Washington, D.C. again because I am so displeased with the horrific health conditions as a result of all the mountaintop removal.

Tune in, speak up! Tax reform on KY Tonight

Posted by: Jessica Hays on June 3, 2012

Dana on Kentucky TonightTonight's "Kentucky Tonight" will be about tax reform. 

The sponsor of our Kentucky Forward Revenue Plan, Rep. Jim Wayne, is among the scheduled guests.

The show is Monday, June 4 at 8:00/7:00 pm CT on KET.

KFTC Arm-Chair Seminar: How to plan successful fundraisers

Posted by: Carissa Lenfert on June 3, 2012

Want to learn how to plan and implement a good chapter fundraising event or houseparty?  Download this power point presentation from a recent Chapter Development armchair seminar and learn at your own leisure!

Carissa's FR graphic

Page

Subscribe to KFTC Blog