Economic Justice News | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Economic Justice News

Kentuckians are ready for a Just Transition and Green New Deal

May 13, 2019 at 10:54am

An enthusiastic and diverse crowd turned out on May 11 at an event in Frankfort in support of a Just Transition to a clean energy economy and a Green New Deal for workers and communities. 

Rep. Attica Scott and Cassia Herron

The main event, a stop on a eight-city tour organized by the Sunrise Movement, was planned in partnership with KFTC and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 32BJ. The event featured State Rep. Attica Scott, KFTC members Kevin Short, Cassia Herron and Scott Shoupe, Sunrise Louisville Hub member Jenny Bencomo Suarez, Sunrise Executive Director Varshini Prakash, Erin Bridges, who plays a leading role in the Sunrise Louisville Hub and on the national Sunrise Steering Committee; and music by Appalatin.

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Poor People's Campaign Truth & Poverty Tour in Kentucky

April 20, 2019 at 08:18am
Southern Kentucky

The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival’s National Emergency Truth & Poverty Bus Tour will visit western Kentucky on April 29, making stops in Eddyville, Hopkinsville and Bowling Green.

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KFTC members speak out about Louisville budget crisis

April 17, 2019 at 12:30pm
Tax Reform, Jefferson County

No More Business As Usual

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Mitch McConnell is silent on coal while Kentucky miners suffer and die

February 22, 2019
The Courier-Journal

McConnell has repeatedly failed to do right by our coal workers and communities.

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Sweeping changes aimed at Kentucky aid programs called 'war on poor'

February 25, 2019
The Courier-Journal

Top House Republicans have filed a bill that would enact sweeping changes in Kentucky's system of public benefits — including Medicaid, food stamps and temporary cash aid for the poor — adding work requirements, drug tests and benefit cuts that opponents say would be disastrous.

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Exciting! Benham$aves energy efficiency project receives $200,000 pledge

February 13, 2019 at 01:51pm
Just Transition, , Communities Taking Action, , Energy Democracy, , Sustainable Energy, Harlan County

IMG_2358 (1)

KFTC members took part in a special called meeting of the Benham Power Board on February 12 to share the good news that an anonymous donor pledged $200,000 to support the Benham$aves Program.

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Hailing Cesar NKU screening

January 24, 2019 at 01:31pm
Northern Kentucky

This past Wednesday the Northern Kentucky chapter joined other organizations for a celebration of Cesar Chavez Day at Northern Kentucky University. As part of the celebration, Latino Program and Services at NKU brought in Cesar Chavez's grandson, Eduardo Chavez, to show his new film Hailing Cesar.

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Fighting to Save the Black Lung Trust Fund

December 15, 2018
WMMT Making Connection News
Just Transition, Big Sandy, Just Transition, Cumberland, Just Transition, Harlan County, Just Transition, Perry County
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Sen. McConnell Hints at Support for Black Lung Disability Trust Fund

October 24, 2018
Ohio Valley Resource
Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Big Sandy

At a public meeting in Pikeville, Sen McConnell was asked whether he would support strengthening funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. Currently, the fund is running out of money because more miners are getting sick and more coal companies are going bankrupt.

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Fixing What's Broke: why Congress must support a Just Transition for miners with black lung and communities

October 21, 2018 at 06:00pm
Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Big Sandy, Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Cumberland, Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Harlan County, Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Perry County, Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Rowan County, Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Western Kentucky

A new report from KFTC describes ways Kentuckians are organizing to demand action from Congress – and especially from Senator Mitch McConnell – in support of a Just Transition for miners with black lung disease, retired and laid off miners, and their communities.

To build a new economy in coal communities, the report says Congress should start by "fixing what's broke," including strengthening funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, passing the RECLAIM Act, and protecting miners' pensions.

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