News of KFTC and our issues
Budget cuts add pressure on already-stressed programs for the homeless
December 20, 2012
Louisville shelters “have had to turn away homeless families and homeless individuals, because there are no beds available for them.” More funding, not more budget cuts, are needed, a report from the U.S. Conference of Mayors concludes.
KFTC and Allies Mourn the Passing of Mountain Advocate Joan Mulhern at EarthJustice
December 19, 2012
KFTC and allies mourn the passing of ally Joan Mulhern at EarthJustice. Joan worked tirelessly as an advocate for clean water and justice for the people of central Appalachia. Joan recently played a key role in bringing hundreds of activists from central Appalachia to Washington DC to deliver a petition to the White House along with a message to end Mountain Top Removal coal mining.
Kentucky officials seek to punish miner who reported safety violations
December 17, 2012
Mackie Bailey is being charged by state officials for participating in an unsafe practice at a Harlan County coal mine, although he was told by his supervisors to do so. Federal officials, however, have used Bailey's testimony to convict the superisors of mine safety violtations.
EPA Tightens Soot Standard; Estimates Cleaner Air Will Save Billions in Health Costs
December 14, 2012
EPA has tightened the standard for fine particle pollution by 20 percent more than the current standard, which was set in 1997. This will save billions of dollars in health care costs, and could provide major benefits to Kentuckians were burning coal is the dominant source of electricity generation.
Data Shows Gas is Catching Up to Coal, Even in the Southeast
December 14, 2012
Coal's share of the nation's electricity generation has been slipping over the past few years; in July, preliminary data suggested for the first time, natural gas and coal both provided the same amount (32 percent) of the U.S.'s electricity.
Kentuckians Step In When Coal Companies Falsify Water Reports
December 10, 2012
KFTC's litigation case against Frasure Creek and ICG mining companies is highlighted in Equal Voices News. Equal Voices News is published by
KY tax reform commission nearing completion of plan
December 7, 2012
The Kentucky Blue Ribbon Commission on Tax Reform has finalized a set of recommendations about how to improve Kentucky's tax structure and raise needed revenue. The full package could raise nearly $700 million in new dollars in the first year. It also includes several items, including an Earned Income Tax Credit, that KFTC members have long supported.
New York Times interactive map of state and local business tax breaks
December 1, 2012
Kentucky spends at least $1.41 billion per year on incentive programs, according to the most recent data available. That's about 15% of the state's annual budget. According to their data, the oil, gas and coal industries are the top recipients of state and local tax breaks.
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