Southern Kentucky | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Chapter: Southern Kentucky

The Southern Kentucky chapter is a diverse and active group of people working to build a better future for all. We aim to hold our elected officials accountable as we create a more just, healthy, and sustainable community. Among the many issues we care about, our chapter is currently working on fair housing, tax justice, fairness, voter empowerment, and clean, safe, and affordable energy options.

Working together we are building the movement for economic, environmental and social justince in southern Kentucky! Please join us at an upcoming chpater meeting or event. We meet every fourth Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Foundry, in Bowling Green.

Recent Activities

SOKY member reflects on the Fund Our Pension rally in Frankfort

Joyce Adkins on November 8, 2017 in Economic Justice, Campaign For Our CommonWealth, Southern Kentucky, State Budget

When I became a member of KFTC a few short months ago, I wanted to find ways to make a difference in our community and in our Commonwealth. I had such an opportunity when I was able to attend the Fund Our Pension Rally in Frankfort on November 1.

I have been shocked and horrified by our governor’s depiction of state workers, and especially of public school teachers, as greedy, lazy, and yes, unsophisticated. As one speaker from Vocational Rehabilitation pointed out, he saved as many sick days as he could so if he or his wife or one of his kids had an accident or a serious illness, he would have time to take off. If a worker comes to work with the sniffles or on crutches or with a cast on their arm (I have done all three) and still does their job, and then retires with a couple of months of sick time built up, they should be paid for it. They could have stayed home and left work undone, but they didn’t. That is their time accrued and promised to them.

The governor has tried, with some success, to drive a wedge between the private and public sectors. What people need to know is that when I retired three months ago, the college-educated person who was hired to take my place started at $12.15 an hour. They could have started at Target with a high school diploma for $11.00 an hour, so, believe me, we don’t work for the state out of greed. I

heard one speaker talk about how state workers clear our streets, teach our kids, inspect our swimming pools, help the disabled find jobs, keep us safe, put out our fires, and on and on. No, these are not lazy people, these are people who work for little compensation to care for their fellow citizens. And unsophisticated was just another word for stupid, so I will not even stoop to answer that one. It was clear from the signs and the speeches that no one was happy with that insult.

SOKY members canvass for Tax Justice

Member Deane Oliva ready to talk taxes in a neighborhood doorway
the Southern Kentucky Chapter on June 16, 2017 in Economic Justice, Tax Reform, Southern Kentucky, State Budget

Members from the Southern Kentucky chapter engaged the Bowling Green community in conversations about tax justice last Saturday as part of a deep canvass session.

The day began with a training to equip members with deep canvassing skills and review the key conversation points before hitting the streets.

Between the three groups of participants we had 18 high-quality conversations with folks about what an equitable tax system looks like. Member Deane Oliva reflected, “Even though the folks we spoke with had little knowledge of the tax structure, the script gave us a comfortable entrée to discussion and the folks were all visibly engaged with the powerful graphics. In a short time, we raised awareness and made good contacts.“

The day was productive and has members loooking forward to next steps. As member Dr. Alex Poole said, "It wasn't always easy, but if not us, then who? Getting together with like-minded people gives me hope. We can all do our part."

New local jobs! Better health! Just Transition! Here's how.

KFTC staff on April 19, 2017 in New Energy and Transition, Just Transition, Big Sandy, , Central Kentucky, , Harlan County, , Jefferson County, , Madison County, , Northern Kentucky, , Perry County, , Rowan County, , Rolling Bluegrass, , Shelby County, , Southern Kentucky, , Western Kentucky, , Wilderness Trace

There is a clear path forward for creating thousands of new Kentucky jobs in the energy industry while cutting pollution, lowering electric bills and investing billions of dollars in workers and communities affected by the decline in fossil fuels.

The plan for doing that was released Wednesday by KFTC members during a press conference and with the launch of a new website (www.empowerkentucky.org).

KFTC's statement on immigrants, refugees and Muslims

KFTC Executive Committee on March 8, 2017 in Economic Justice, Big Sandy, , Central Kentucky, , Harlan County, , Jefferson County, , Madison County, , Northern Kentucky, , Perry County, , Rowan County, , Rolling Bluegrass, , Shelby County, , Southern Kentucky, , Western Kentucky, , Wilderness Trace, Immigrants' Rights

We the people …

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC) has a vision of a Kentucky where “discrimination is wiped out of our laws, habits and hearts.” While discrimination already hurts many members of our communities, the current state legislature and our national government are taking aim at some of our most vulnerable neighbors: immigrants, refugees and religious minorities, especially Muslims. As we always have, KFTC is standing up for the targets of discrimination and working hard toward wiping discrimination out of our laws, habits and hearts. 

We voice our solidarity with immigrants, refugees and religious minorities who are coming under increased attack in this current political climate.

Solar in Kentucky: opportunities to learn and lend support

Lisa Abbott on October 4, 2016 in New Energy and Transition, Sustainable Energy, Central Kentucky, , Jefferson County, , Northern Kentucky, , Southern Kentucky, Empower Kentucky, , Power Plants

Kentuckians want more and better energy options, and we are especially interested in seeing more locally and community owned solar projects. That was the overwhelming message KFTC heard when we asked more than 1,000 people across the state to share their vision for Kentucky's energy future. 

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Chapter Feature:

Member spotlight

Read an op-ed by Southern Kentucky chapter member, Jeanie Smith on the importance of an Earned Income Tax Credit for Kentuckians.

"I live in Warren County, where according to the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, a state EITC would directly benefit more than 10,000 Warren County families, with an average credit of $330. Our families, like families all over Kentucky, are working hard to make it today. Having a $300-$400 tax credit that targets low- to moderate-income working families would make such a difference in the day-to-day."

A People's Guide to Planning

https://issuu.com/home/published/a_people_s_guide_to_planning

City planning and zoning processes can be a driving force in advancing racial, environmental, and housing justice and are an important avenue for expressing our vision for our future. The People's Guide to Planning, developed by KFTC member and CU Denver graduate student Tara Sorrels, is a tool to support residents to engage in planning and zoning processes in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Inside, you'll find a glossary of planning terms, an overview of planning and zoning processes and structures, and a description of how plans are implemented in our community. Residents deserve a say in how our city grows and changes, and we can use this guide to see the impacts that these changes will have on our day to day lives and to organize for our vision for our community's future.

Regular Meetings:

The Foundry
531 W. 11th Ave.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
Monthly Chapter Meeting

Join us for our monthly meeting every 4th Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Chapter Organizer:

Laura Harper Knight
958 Collette Avenue Suite 310
Bowling Green, KY 42101
(270) 282-4553

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