News of KFTC and our issues
My Cold Kentucky Home: Coal Country Turning To Solar As Heating And Housing Costs Climb
July 3, 2019
Solar energy had already been gaining ground in coal communities, with the Kentucky Coal Mining Museum in Benham turning on its panels in 2017. Now a combination of factors has spurred a rush among groups in the region already looking to renewable energy to protect against future utility cost increases.
Black lung is surging, but bill to undo limits on doctors stalls without a hearing
March 7, 2019
A bill that would have rescinded restrictions on the types of physicians who can diagnose black lung disease will likely not get a vote in the Kentucky House of Representatives this year … The proposal’s likely failure comes amid the largest resurgence of black lung in decades, one that has left more than 20 perc
Utility PAC donations rolled in ahead of solar industry bill fight
February 25, 2019
Four big utility interests pumped $327,050 into the political committees of legislative candidates and the political parties during the 2018 election cycle.
That compares with the $6,500 contributed by the tiny political action committee of Kentucky’s solar industry.
Sweeping changes aimed at Kentucky aid programs called 'war on poor'
February 25, 2019
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.
Mitch McConnell is silent on coal while Kentucky miners suffer and die
February 22, 2019
McConnell has repeatedly failed to do right by our coal workers and communities.
At a crossroads, Ohio River agency weighs dueling proposals on role
February 4, 2019
An industry-backed effort aims to end ORSANCO’s role in setting and enforcing pollution standards.
Lawmakers or lawbreakers? General Assembly trampled open government rules. And that was just the first week.
January 14, 2019
Amidst the usual controversies that attend the opening days of a legislative session, the first week of the 2019 Kentucky General Assembly raised a singular question unrelated to the weighty business at hand: When did the legislature abandon any pretense of compliance with the open meetings laws and when did Kentuckians abandon any expectation of compliance?
Is Capitol the ‘people’s house’ or King Matt’s castle? Here’s why they want you out.
January 9, 2019
When the General Assembly began its 2019 session Tuesday, citizens in attendance were greeted with a “statement of emergency” — Gov. Matt Bevin’s latest attempt to silence critics and restrict public participation in the people’s business.
The Farm Bureau: Big Oil’s Unnoticed Ally Fighting Climate Science and Policy
December 21, 2018
For more than three decades, the Farm Bureau has aligned agriculture closely with the fossil fuel agenda.
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