Jefferson County | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Chapter: Jefferson County

Public education policy that supports students, caregivers, and educators is a top priority for members at the Jefferson County KFTC chapter. Our members are opposed to any break-up of the Jefferson County Public Schools district, and have heard overwhelmingly from Kentuckians that more funding is the foundation of public education that meets the needs of Kentuckians.

You can join our KFTC Public Education Policy Workteam meetings here.


Since the chapter formed in 1983, we have supported and worked with allies on issues that affect you and me, including affordable housing, police abuse, sweat shops, hazardous waste reduction and recycling. Our doors are open to anyone who wants to fight for justice while building a compassionate, connected, and fun community here in our great city. 

 

Recent Activities

Louisville Loves Mountains Week

Martha Flack on February 28, 2014 in Coal and Water, New Energy and Transition, Just Transition, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Energy Democracy, Jefferson County, Fundraiser, , I Love Mountains Day

In early February, the Jefferson County Chapter held Louisville Loves Mountains week, a series of events leading up to the

Member Voices: The Local Option Sales Tax

Linda Stettenbenz on February 24, 2014 in Economic Justice, Tax Reform, Jefferson County

The Local Option Sales Tax (LOST, or LIFT as it is now called in Louisville) bills have been filed in Frankfort, HB 399 and SB 135.   If approved by the legislature in 2014, these bills would require a state constitutional amendment to allow cities in Kentucky the power to collect sales tax.  If passed by state voters, cities would then put it to their voters.  LOST/LIFT has been getting a lot of press in Louisville, and Gov. Beshear has indicated his willingness to support it.  Louisville’s Mayor Fischer is a proponent, and is advocating for a 1% LOST/LIFT that would be for a specific amount of money for specific capital projects approved by local voters to allow “local” “democratic” control over revenue.

Long-overdue rules to limit coal ash exposure coming after court settlement

KFTC staff on January 29, 2014 in Coal and Water, Coal Ash, Big Sandy, , Jefferson County, , Wilderness Trace, coal ash, , Water Quality

In response to legal action by a broad coalition of national and local groups, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must finalize first-ever federal standards for the disposal of coal ash by December 19, 2014.

The settlement does not dictate the content of the final regulation, but gives the agency a deadline to finalize standards after years of delay.

Jefferson County co-hosts Citizen Lobbying 101

Elijah McKenzie on December 17, 2013 in Coal and Water, Economic Justice, New Energy and Transition, Voting Rights, Kentucky Voting Rights Bill, Jefferson County, General Assembly

How does a bill become a law in Kentucky? What’s the best way for people to arrange a meeting with their legislators? How can ordinary citizens hold lawmakers accountable?

These questions, and more, were brought to the forefront during Jefferson County's citizen lobbying training on Wednesday, December 11, which took place at the First Unitarian Church in Louisville.

Images that are often associated with the word “lobbyist” are those of corporate lackeys treating policymakers to expensive drinks over a round of golf. It’s a misconception that was quickly broken as community organizers from throughout the state shared their lobbying experiences on both local and state levels.

Blue Morals

Megan Casey on November 14, 2013 in Coal and Water, Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, Jefferson County, Water Quality

I remember one day I walked into my home after school, my father was in tears and had not yet broken his fast. After I succeeded in convincing him to eat, he requested that I listen in private and so I did. My father could see the challenging future I was about to face, yet how could I know when I was barely nineteen years of age? He recommended that I hold on to courage and faith, and that I remember the strength of those whom I might or should leave behind, wisdom in choices, justice in actions, and if I speak let it be the truth even if it leads to an unpleasant ending. My siblings and I may have not had the greatest childhood, but we had the greatest father, a warrior, and a mother that did better than her best to ensure our safe survival.  

We experienced serious issues and shortages with water. My mother was one of the hundreds of women who traveled miles searching for a source of water, but how much can one woman carry this burden across many miles through cold and heat? She must have ignored her pain to protect us, her needs to provide for us, her own sufferings to ensure our survival, and she must have lost the feeling of life just to see us prosper of ours.

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Chapter Feature:

Regular Meetings:

Jefferson County KFTC office
786 Shelby Street
Louisville, KY 40203
Monthly Chapter Meeting

Our chapter meetings are held in person on the 2nd Monday of the month, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and are open to the public. Anyone is welcome to participate. RSVP here!

Chapter Organizer:

Bonifacio Aleman
786 Shelby Street
Louisville, KY 40203

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