News of KFTC and our issues
Mine Safety Commission Rules in Favor of Whistleblower
March 14, 2013
The Kentucky Mine Safety Review Commission has ruled that a coal miner who reported unsafe conditions won’t be punished for breaking the law.
What happened to Ky. tax reform?
March 10, 2013
But not since his State of the Commonwealth speech have we heard Gov. Beshear talk up the advantages of adjusting the outdated tax code to a modern economy. If he's serious about tax reform, he should start soon; it's his best and probably last shot at going down as more than a caretaker governor.
Eastern Kentucky program awarded $5.2 million to help laid-off coal miners
March 4, 2013
An Eastern Kentucky jobs program has been awarded $5.2 million to help laid-off coal miners get jobs.
Life after coal: does Wales point the way?
March 4, 2013
Declining coal production is hurting Appalachia’s economy, which was already in rough shape. Scholars are looking at Wales, which lost its coal economy in the 1980’s, for examples for how Appalachia might address its economic future. These authors, along with several public leaders from Wales, will speak at the upcoming Appalachia's Bright Future conference, April 19-21 in Harlan, KY.
Bluegrass Poll | Kentucky supports restoring felon voting rights
February 25, 2013
A majority of Kentucky voters say they favor amending the state constitution to allow convicted felons to regain their right to vote once they serve their full sentences.
Water-quality rules scrutinized; Cabinet tried to avoid public review
February 20, 2013
This editorial points out criticisms raised by KFTC members and many ally organizations about the Beshear Administration's effort to rush through new, weaker standards for selenium pollution. "If there's one thing we can count on from the Beshear administration, it's a willingness to sacrifice Kentucky's water to the coal industry."
Cleaner energy means healthier commonwealth
February 20, 2013
The author of this op-ed, a retired nurse, makes the link between pollution from power plants and our health. "For decades, our legislators in Frankfort have ignored the health consequences of the commonwealth’s reliance on fossil fuels when making energy policy."
45 years after RFK's visit, poverty remains key issue in eastern KY
February 18, 2013
This Hazard Herald article explores what has changed, and what has not, since Robert Kennedy's visit to eastern Kentucky 45 years ago. MACED president Justin Maxson states, "I think so often we just think about economic development as a technical problem, and it’s not. It’s also a political problem..."
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