August 2018 - balancing the scales

Volume 37 Number 6

August 29, 2018

UPDATES INSIDE

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

We saved Medicaid (so far) .... 5-6

Gathering brings experience of beloved community ................... 11

Town hall highlights effort to save Black Lung program ................... 17 Voter empowerment opportunities across the state ..................... 18-19

Photo highlights ................... 12-13 Annual awards ........................ 14-15 ‌ and much more inside

KFTC Annual Membership Meeting

Building Our Beloved Community

Change Service Requested

scales

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth P.O. Box 1450 London, Ky. 40743

balancing the

2 | Balancing the Scales

is a statewide grassroots social justice orga­­ni­ zation working for a new balance of power and a just society. KFTC uses direct-action organizing to accomplish the following goals: • foster democratic values • change unjust institutions • empower individuals • overcome racism and other discrimination • communicate a message of what’s possible • build the organization • help people participate • win issues that affect the common welfare • have fun KFTC membership dues are $15 to $50 per year, based on ability to pay. No one is denied membership because of inability to pay. Membership is open to anyone who is committed to equality, democracy and nonviolent change.

KFTC Steering Committee Meta Mendel-Reyes, chairperson Cassia Herron, vice chairperson Christian Torp, secretary-treasurer Amy Copelin, at-large member Mary Love, at-large member Chapter Representatives Tina Jackson, Big Sandy Carly Muetterties, Central Kentucky David Miller, Cumberland Chase Gladson, Harlan County Chandra Cruz-Thomson, Jefferson County Rebecca Tucker, Madison County Melissa Roth, Northern Kentucky Chanda Campbell, Perry County Amelia Cloud, Rolling Bluegrass Fannie Madden-Grider, Rowan County Joy Fitzgerald, Shelby County Summer Bolton, Southern Kentucky Amanda Groves, Western Kentucky Shannon Scott, Wilderness Trace Alternates: shared, Big Sandy; Kaelyn Payton, Central Kentucky; Damien Hammons, Cumberland; Cheyanna Gladson, Harlan County; Connor Allen, Jefferson County; Adam Funck, Madison County; Lauren Gabbard, Northern Kentucky; Russell Oliver & Susan Hull, Perry County; Mary Marion, Rolling Bluegrass; Ezra Dike, Rowan County; Cynthia Dare, Shelby County; Teresa Christmas, Southern Kentucky; Jim Gearhart, Western Kentucky; Margaret Gardiner, Wilderness Trace

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Table of Contents Executive Committee Corner Creating Kentucky’s beloved community will take intention, time ................................................ 3

Economic Justice Kentuckians save Medicaid: health care is a human right ................................................................ 5 Record number of comments collected to protect Kentucky’s Medicaid................................... 6 Poor People’s Campaign shifts to ‘deep-dive organizing’................................................................. 7 Bevin intervenes to deny job protections for LGBTQ workers ....................................................... 7 School districts have even fewer resources than past years ........................................................ 20

Local Updates – Building Grassroots Power Youth Educating Society Poetry and Art event in NKY...................................................................... 8 Cumberland chapter members know fairness is vita l........................................................................ 9 Scott County chapter becomes the Rolling Bluegrass chapter ..................................................... 9 ‘Edge effects’ allow greater diversity, innovative ideas to thrive................................................... 10

Annual membership meeting Members create a beloved community ................................................................................................... 11 Anthony Thigpenn: Everything we care about is at stake ................................................................ 11 Photo highlights ......................................................................................................................................... 12-13 2018 annual awards .................................................................................................................................. 14-15 New Energy and Just Transition Trump carbon pollution plan would harm clean job growth .......................................................... 15 Black Lung town hall highlights need for Congress to act ............................................................. 17 Coal and Water Ohio River agency wants to abandon water quality standards ................................................... 16

Voter Empowerment Opportunities across Kentucky to do voter engagement work.................................................... 18 Berea Democracy Headquarters is space for conversations.......................................................... 19 KFTC News Shane Wilcher honored as 2018 Youth Warrior Against Poverty .................................................. 4 KFTC marks 37th anniversary by hitting 12,000 members ............................................................... 21 An astrological interpretation of KFTC’s natal chart ......................................................................... 21 KFTC hiring organizers and apprentices ............................................................................................... 22 Apply for the 2019 Organizing Academy cohort................................................................................ 22 Dave Newton rejoins the KFTC staff with voter focus ..................................................................... 22 KFTC Calender of Events .......................................................................................................................... 23 Become a Sustaining Giver ........................................................................................................................ 24

KFTC on social media Facebook www.KFTC.org/facebook For chapter Facebook pages, visit: www.kftc.org/links

Instagram @jckftc @soky_kftc @centralkentuckykftc

@kentuckiansforthecommonwealth To find our photos on Flickr:

@KFTC @NKY_KFTC @ScottCoKFTC @MadCo_KFTC @EKY_KFTC

@JCKFTC @WT_KFTC @SoKyKFTC @VotingRightsKY @CanaryProject

www.flickr.com/ photos/KFTCphotos

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 3

executive committee corner

Creating Kentucky’s beloved community will take intention, time

By Cassia Herron KFTC Vice-chairperson

KFTC is a leader in racial justice and we must be introspective about it

Dear KFTC family and friends: Thanks for electing us as your Executive Committee leaders for 2018-19! We look forward to continuing to serve and lead KFTC during what is sure to be a very tough election season this fall and legislative session in January.

To achieve our goals, it’s imperative that we work collectively with strong messages that reflect our values. Our annual meeting provided us the time and space to ground ourselves and reflect upon how we can build a beloved community in Kentucky as the foundation to how we build power for all Kentuckians.

Here are a few points from the annual meeting that will help KFTC build a Beloved Kentucky:

After the keynote, several members thanked me for asking Thigpenn why he kept saying that “KFTC is at the cutting edge of racial justice work.” I was relieved to learn others had the same question. Thigpenn’s answer was one that should give us pause and inspire us to get this work done right.

Thigpenn suggested that KFTC is a leader in racial justice work, first, because our racial justice work is grounded in community organizing. What this means is that he and others expect our work toward building a beloved community to be collective, that it will take all of us to ensure we have an organization where everyone has a sense of belonging.

KFTC believes “organizing empowers us to help shape decisions affecting our lives and the larger community. It’s a long-term approach that focuses on building and exercising power, especially among people affected by injustice, to improve the quality of life for all.” This means white members must learn to listen to people of color and be willing to be led by us.

It also means it will take time and we will have to continuously assess and redefine what the work is. It will be hard and we will all be challenged to grow.

Thigpenn acknowledged Kentucky’s racial makeup as a challenge, suggesting that because we have such low numbers of people of color it puts KFTC in a position to model this work for others. If KFTC gets it right, so can others. Success should produce new members and allies and an even more democratically run organization. We should hope that what we do will encourage others across the state to be more inclusive and intentional about racial justice in their organizations, and we can be in a position to be supportive of their efforts.

Through several workshops, the annual meeting provided time for us to dig deeper into what it means to create spaces of belonging within our organization and for us to examine our organization with a racial justice lens. Reflecting on an activity during the antioppression workshop, Amy Copelin said it was “a perfect example of how the practice of inclusion can be mis-

We must take care of ourselves In responding to a question about how he practices self-care, our keynote speaker, Anthony Thigpenn, said, “…as activists, we don’t [won’t] live regular lives.” This statement struck a chord with me because it describes my life and many other social justice warriors I know, including my KFTC family. Thigpenn shared his love for spending time in nature and reminded us not to get so consumed with movement-building that we forget to pour into ourselves.

Each year during our annual meeting we include plenty of breaks and encourage social time to foster self-care and build community. Being at Berea College this year didn’t change that. Mary Love said, “Berea College was a perfect location for the meeting, as it provided plenty of sleeping space, AWESOME food, a walkable campus and town, and LOTS of music and crafts opportunities.” There were several groups who visited the local pool, and I was close enough to my mother’s house to get some family time in over the weekend. Talk about self-care?!

The Executive Committee also is prioritizing time off for staff. We value our staff and will continue to stress the importance of self-care and will help facilitate it happening. Members can do the same by organizing social outings, adding fun activities to meeting agendas and filling in for members who are overcommitted or simply need a break. Offering help to others is a simple way to encourage self-care and show compassion.

guided, one in which the people being ‘included’ are made to feel even more ostracized by the privileged group.” Notes from that workshop will be used to create a guide for chapters toward creating spaces of belonging for all who engage with KFTC. Kentucky needs a united front Throughout the annual meeting was the subtheme that in order for KFTC to achieve our goals, we have to be working in concert with other Kentuckians.

Thigpenn’s workshop on building governing power provided an opportune space for members to assess how KFTC should go about engaging and organizing other groups to work in coalition with us on various issues.

We need more KFTC members and we need to be working with other organizations with similar goals.

While we continue to hold accountable our elected officials and work to stop bad legislation, we must also put forth visions for what we want and communicate it in a way that reaches the masses.

KFTC Chair Meta Mendel-Reyes reflects that Thigpenn reminded us that, “We need to think boldly and strive toward governing power, not just asking politicians to do what we need, but actually doing the governing ourselves.”

This was my first annual meeting in which I attended and participated in the business meeting.

Those spirited engagements illustrated to me that we are working toward and modeling racial justice; that we are being bold about that for which we stand; that we have much more work to create Kentucky’s beloved community; and that what we envision is possible.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve and represent you … together we will.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

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KFTC News

Shane Wilcher honored as 2018 Youth Warrior Against Poverty Shane Wilcher of Madison County was selected as one of 18 young folks from around the country to receive the 2018 Sargent Shriver Youth Warriors Against Poverty Award from the Marguerite Casey Foundation.

The award is named for Sargent Shriver, architect of the War on Poverty and visionary leader of Head Start, Peace Corps, Job Corps and VISTA, who worked throughout his life to provide opportunities for people to lift themselves out of poverty.

The purpose of the award is to honor Shriver’s legacy of sustained community engagement to create meaningful social change; elevate the work of youth activists committed to fighting domestic poverty through community service and organizing; and reinforce the work of foundation grantees, for their active and ongoing efforts to build a nationwide movement across race, issues and regions on behalf of all U.S. families.

Shane has been a part of KFTC his entire life.

With his mother, Toby, a long-time KFTC member, he grew up attending annual membership meetings, local community events and I Love Mountains Day rallies at the state capitol. He’s even in KFTC’s logo – he’s the baby being held in his mother’s arms.

Now in his senior year of high school, Shane has come into his own as a young activist, becoming a fierce advocate for creating inclusive spaces for young people within KFTC and within his community.

Beyond his activism, he’s a dedicated student who works toward his goal of studying social work and political science in college. He is captain of his school’s academic team, a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the pep band and concert band, a member of the Gay Straight Alliance and active in his youth group at church – all while he works part-time and takes classes at Berea College.

Last summer, KFTC launched the Organizing Academy, a set of trainings and leadership development opportunities that allows emerging grassroots leaders in Kentucky to develop their information, skills, relationships and confidence. Shane was selected as part of the initial cohort that began in January 2018 and concluded in June 2018.

Through the Organizing Academy, Shane has learned how to build relationships with folks in his school and his community, how to talk with decision makers about issues that are important to him, and

how to canvass and register voters.

Earlier this year, in the wake of the Parkland school shooting, Shane put these skills into action and organized a walkout at his high school. He talked with his fellow classmates about what kind of action would be meaningful for them and what would have a bigger impact, and over the course of a few weeks, a plan began to come together about what form the walkout could take.

School administrators wanted a vigil, while the students Shane worked with wanted a walkout and the opportunity to take action on the issue of gun violence.

They worked with administrators to come up with an alternative solution where there would still be a vigil but students who wanted to walk out would be allowed to if they had permission from a parent or guardian.

In the end, Shane led a small group walkout from their school, and they spent their day registering voters and writing letters to their representatives about gun control, mental health issues and school safety.

Shane has also been advocating for more inclusive spaces for young people and LGBTQ folks within KFTC and within his school and community. As a member of the Gay Straight Alliance at his high school, he was instrumental in organizing group conversations after the 2016 elections where folks could come together in a safe environment and share how they were feeling in the new and then unknown political landscape.

He also has advocated for more inclusive school bathroom policies, bridging divides and facilitating

those conversations at his school. And he organized and facilitated a workshop at KFTC’s annual membership meeting that focused on deepening our understanding around gender inclusion and gender justice so that KFTC members can be better allies to folks who are transgender, genderqueer Shane Wilcher or non-binary.

As a recipient of the Marguerite Casey Foundation photo Sargent Shriver Youth Warriors Against Poverty award, Shane recently attended the awards ceremony and celebration in Seattle, along with the other recipients.

“Winning this award shows me that the work I do is recognized and it inspires me to continue to pursue my interest in social justice and social work. I'm planning on using the money to help me get to college for my social work degree.

“I felt out of place in the fancy hotels, wearing my Walmart 'dress' clothes. But getting to talk to the board and the other recipients about our work was amazing. I learned about so many issues in other communities that I never would have thought of about ours. It was a really cool weekend and I'm excited that I won!”

Members of the Western Kentucky chapter took note of their one-year anniversary as a KFTC chapter at their annual chapter meeting in May. Pictured, from left: Amanda Groves, Lesley Garrett, Whitney Jones, Phyllis Miller, Derek Operly and Stephen Montgomery.

Balancing the Scales is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and sent as third class mail from Louisville. Reader contri­ butions and letters to the editor should be sent to P.O. Box 864, Prestonsburg, Ky. 41653 or jhardt@kftc.org. Subscriptions are $20/yr.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 5

Economic Justice

Kentuckians save Medicaid: health care is a human right

By Alexa Hatcher

through hoops, on top of the daily hustle of being a low-income person, knowing that I would eventually

At the beginning of 2018, the Trump administra- fall through the cracks and lose coverage, or lose my tion approved a Medicaid waiver proposed by Gover- insurance altogether suddenly. nor Matt Bevin. If implemented, the waiver, also Knowing that I am quite privileged because I known as the Kentucky HEALTH do not need medication to stay Plan, would have created barriers to alive, I can work, and I have a health care coverage for hundreds partner who works that I share of thousands of Kentuckians. This expenses with, I knew beyond a waiver would have been a disaster doubt that I had to stay involved had it not been blocked in federal for folks who do not have it as court. easy as me. I had to stay involved I am proud to say that I was a because I could afford to and part of the lawsuit that saved health others couldn't. care coverage for myself and my

I was terrified to lose the neighbors. But it was not an easy lawsuit, but also afraid to win journey. This was a long process and have folks think that I was that often caused me anxiety, dethe reason they didn't have pression, fear and anger. health insurance any longer, even I was always so deeply thankful though it would be all because to all the lawyers who were working of Bevin's revenge. This fear of their butts off to win this case, and being seen as a traitor was even also to all the other plaintiffs who more frightening to me than beagreed to be a part of the lawsuit. ing sued by Bevin.

But I also felt extremely angry and Alexa Hatcher and other plain- A few days before a KFTC sad that we would even have to tiffs in the Medicaid waiver case Community Organizing Acadfight with our elected officials about were presented with the Joe emy meeting where we would this.

Begley and Everett Akers Award learn about the power of photo Even more, I was heartbroken at the KFTC Annual Awards Cer- voice, I was served the legal pathat so many people in my com- emony. The award recognizes pers regarding Bevin's lawsuit munity and in the state supported members who are jailed, lose against us. I wasn't at home the waiver. Did they not think that a job or face some other major when the sheriff came to my I deserve to be healthy? Did they adversity because of their work house to deliver them, so I had not think that my family deserved to go down to their office to pick to have the medication they need to get through their them up after work. day? It still causes me grief.

As I walked back to my car, carrying this huge When we first filed the lawsuit, Bevin said that stack of papers, I stopped at the park in beautiful if we won he would end Medicaid expansion alto- downtown Bowling Green to collect myself. What an gether. That would mean that hundreds of thousands experience. My adrenaline was pumping like crazy. of Kentuckians would lose their health care coverage, Our Governor had just sued us! and for most of us it would mean that we no longer If there is one thing that the KFTC Community could visit doctors, period.

Organizing Academy taught me, it's to care for myself This was the scariest part of the whole lawsuit and keep my cup full so that I can manage this emofor me, because it made us seem as though WE were tionally and physically draining work. A lot of this self responsible for Bevin's attacks. It made me question care practice causes reflection, which is also the beauty whether work requirements, monthly premiums, of photo voice. Sitting in that park, reflecting, trying lockout periods and a rewards-based dental and vi- to practice self care, I took a deep breath in and let my sion coverage system was our best option. surroundings fill me up.

It made me question if I would rather jump Birds were taking baths in the fountains and dig-

ging in the soil for food. The sun was warming my skin through my black shirt, making me feel toasty on that cool spring day. There were flowers everywhere.

These fiery red and yellow tulips were reeeeaaaching for the sun. And there were those scary papers, sitting in between them, filled with words that I couldn't pronounce, and concepts I might never understand, like a language I do not speak.

I liken it to how Governor Bevin might not know what the words “government cheese� mean, or how he probably doesn't know the concept of choosing which bills he isn't going to pay this month because he doesn't have enough money.

I might be intimidated by his actions and these papers, but obviously he was intimidated too. We have a knowledge he will never have. That is why we will keep fighting. Those flame-colored tulips symbolize this fire to keep fighting, the fire that keeps us alive.

And as for that stack of scary papers, well, fire burns paper.

I am sharing the photo I took that day, and used as my photo voice entry for the academy.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

6 | Balancing the Scales

Economic Justice

Record number of comments collected to protect Kentucky’s Medicaid For the third year in a row, Kentuckians submitted thousands of comments in opposition to Governor Matt Bevin’s plans to take away Medicaid services for nearly 100,000 people.

This summer, Kentuckians spoke up in record numbers to oppose harmful new requirements and harsh penalties that would ultimately result in the loss of health care. In total, more than 11,561 written comments were submitted to federal administrators from concerned citizens, nonprofit organizations, health care providers, faith leaders, researchers and advocates.

Overwhelmingly, they expressed opposition to the governor’s revamping of the Medicaid program, and urged caution in making changes that would reverse Kentucky’s health and economic gains.

Kentucky Voices for Health coordinated the effort, with KFTC members and several other organizations contributing to the effort.

“Kentuckians strongly reject the notion that complicated new requirements and harsh penalties will do anything to improve the health or economic well-being of low-income workers and families,” said Emily Beauregard, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health. “If CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services] re-approves the same punitive work and reporting requirements, Kentuckians are guaranteed to face more barriers accessing the care they need to be healthy and productive.”

Earlier this year, the Trump administration approved Bevin’s proposal. But before the changes went into effect, a U.S. District Court judge blocked the program. He said the changes failed to provide health care coverage for individuals and families in poverty – the primary goal of Medicaid embedded in federal law.

He cited the failure by state officials and the Trump administration to consider the thousands of comments collecting in 2017 that described potential repercussions of the changes.

In retaliation for the court ruling, Bevin took away – without notice – dental and vision coverage for 460,000 people, blaming the judge for making that action necessary. That move was rescinded a few weeks later after a public outcry.

The Bevin administration did, however, submit essentially the exact same proposal again to the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services. That set off another 30-day public comment period this summer that ended August 18.

The design of the Bevin proposal starts with a false assumption that beneficiaries simply aren’t trying hard enough to extricate themselves from the grips of poverty, according to Kentucky Voices for Health. It then piles on layer upon layer of red tape and penalties that are in no way designed to accomplish that outcome.

“We already know what happens when individuals lose Medicaid coverage,” said Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky. “They have a harder time managing chronic conditions, mental health disorders and addictions, making it nearly impossible to maintain stable employment.”

Health care defenders saw the new comment period as an attempt by the Trump administration to re-approve a waiver to reduce coverage and limit access to care for hard-working, low-income Kentuckians and families who need a health care safety net they can rely on.

“With absolutely no changes being made to the waiver since it was struck down in federal court, there is no question that it would be devastating for Kentucky,” said Dustin Pugel, a policy analyst with the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

“Medicaid strengthens our economy by keeping us all healthier, making people more employable, and employees more productive. This waiver does the opposite.”

“There are better ways to make Kentucky’s Medicaid program more sustainable that would not require a waiver,” said Sheila Schuster, executive director of the Advocacy Action Network. “We should start by reducing barriers to coverage – not increasing them. We should make the program easier to understand and use – not harder.

“And we should focus on encouraging people to use their coverage to improve their health, not enforcing new rules that are outside the scope of the Medicaid program.”

To stay informed on this and other health care policy issues, sign up, share your story and donate at www. kyvoicesforhealth.org.

Contact members of Congress Sen. Mitch McConnell (202) 224-2541 – Washington (502) 582-6304 – Louisville (859) 224-8286 – Lexington (859) 578-0188 – Fort Wright (606) 864-2026 – London (270) 781-1673 – Bowling Green (270) 442-4554 – Paducah Sen. Rand Paul (202) 224-4343 (270) 782-8303 (859) 219-2239 (502) 582-5341 (270) 689-9085 (270) 885-1212

– – – – – –

Washington Bowling Green Lexington Louisville Owensboro Hopkinsville

U.S. House Members Rep. James Comer, 1st District (202) 225-3115 – Washington (270) 487-9509 – Madisonville (270) 408-1865 – Paducah (270) 487-9509 – Tompkinsville Rep. Brett Guthrie, 2nd District (202) 225-3501 – Washington (270) 842-9896 – Bowling Green Rep. John Yarmuth, 3rd District (202) 225-5401 – Washington (502) 933-5863 – Louisville (502) 582-5129 – Louisville Rep. Thomas Massie, 4th District (202) 225-3465 – Washington (606) 324-9898 – Ashland (502) 265-9119 – LaGrange (859) 426-0080 – Crescent Springs Rep. Hal Rogers, 5th District (202) 225-4601 – Washington (606) 679-8346 – Somerset (606) 886-0844 – Prestonsburg (606) 439-0794 – Hazard Rep. Andy Barr, 6th District (202) 225-4706 – Washington (859) 219-1366 – Lexington

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 7

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Poor People’s Campaign shifts to ‘deep-dive organizing’

The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is entering a new phase of “deep-dive organizing” after 40 days of direct action earlier in the spring and summer.

After getting the nation’s attention, campaign leaders are shifting to a major effort to build power in poor and marginalized communities. In 2018, that includes registering and engaging voters who are alltoo-often ignored.

“We've spent 40 days (of direct action); we know we made some impact,” said Rev. Don Gillett, as members of the Kentucky campaign gathered on August 20 to reflect on past activities and embrace what’s next.

“We're looking to build. This is a movement for the poor people of the country,” he added. “We're going to continue to move forward.”

“This is not a one-time deal,” Rev. Donna Aros emphasized as she reflected on the meetings and

trainings over the past couple of years that led to the six weeks of Moral Monday actions at the Kentucky state capitol in May and June. “We’re all part of this movement – folks who have been activists for years and folks who this is the first time they’ve stepped out.”

Participants reflected on a number of things that made the Poor People’s Campaign actions significant in their lives: • • • • • • •

the leadership of People of Color the integration of music the multi-issue approach elevating impacted people learning there are more issues that unite than divide us experiencing what it means to be church getting a lot more people talking about poverty

“Movements don’t come with finished blueprints,” said Dr. Arnold Farr. “We are changing the moral narrative. There are a lot of moral issues that have not been put on the table.”

On a national conference call earlier in August, campaign leaders Rev. William Barber and Rev. Liz

Theoharis gave direction to the next phase of the campaign, which now has active groups in 41 states.

That includes consolidating the power that already exists among people who are impacted, building power by bringing more people into the movement and learning to be effective, and using power that involves elevating the voices of impacted people.

In Kentucky, fall activities kicked off with a Singing for Democracy on August 25 in Lexington sponsored by the Kentucky Poor People's Campaign and KFTC. To stay informed about what’s going on, sign up at www.poorpeoplescampaign.org.

Bevin intervenes in court case to deny antidiscrimination policies for LGBTQ workers

During the reflection and celebration of the Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, folks took time to write and share moments of the 40 Days of Action that were meaningful and powerful for them.

Thanks

Soon after Maysville, on August 9 by unanimous vote, became the tenth Kentucky city to adopt a fairness ordinance, Gov. Matt Bevin joined a lawsuit urging the U.S. Supreme Court to rule that people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender should not be protected from job discrimination.

The high court is considering an appeal of a Michigan case in which a worker was fired because they are transgender.

The U.S. Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on sex. Bevin and officials from other states are arguing that the law should not be interpreted to also prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and transgender status.

Bevin took the action after Attorney General Andy Beshear refused to do so. According to Beshear’s office, sexual orientation or gender identity cannot be used to discriminate against state employees based on a 2008 executive order. Those protections could be made part of state law and extended to all people in the state if the General Assembly would pass legislation that is introduced each year but denied a vote.

The Maysville ordinance, like those in Covington, Louisville, Vicco, Midway, Morehead, Paducah, Lexington, Danville and Frankfort, prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on sexual orientation and gender identity

for being a member or supporter of KFTC. You make the work you read about in Balancing the Scales possible – 37 years of it!

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

8 | Balancing the Scales

Building Grassroots Power

Youth Educating Society hosts Arts and Poetry in NKY Suitcase Esther Cabrera

At the top of the stairs lies a suitcase. one of simple humble journeys, but harsh realities The suitcase carries not only that of dreams not yet accompanied BUT Of those torn Crumbled ready … to be taken back

José Arnulfo Cabrera, Heyra Avila, Esther Cabrera and Andrea Solis

YES (Youth Educating Society) is a program of the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center in Cincinnati and is made up of high school and college-age students working together to educate themselves and others about local and national immigration policies and issues, and to engage in critical thinking about immigration in the U.S. The first ever YES Arts and Poetry event was held on July 28 in Covington as a way to celebrate and explore Latinx culture and identity in northern Kentucky.

Speakers were asked to think about what identity and place meant to them. The poem Suitcase by Esther Cabrera was read aloud along with spoken words by José Arnulfo Cabrera, Heyra Avila and Andrea Solis.

Northern Kentucky KFTC members helped promote the event and registered voters.

torn to shreds as the family Maria has so carefully constructed and built with hands inflicted with pain yet gentile and rough with LOVE AND PRIDE Crumble as Carlos seeing his dreams filled with courage intelligence and strength……. Fall Far away from his fingertips Torn like the spicy tongue of our grandmother……no longer swinging in the rhythm of Cumbia being held back by our rebel Rs and Double LL…..trying yet failing at being ……remaining…..

Torn, Crumbled, and Utterly broken…~~GOne This suitcase has remained closed and empty for 17 years.

Safety held with loose lips This suitcase it holds no lie or deception, on secret story For it has been packed by Maria’s hope and drive of BETTER. her desires laid with the progression of the future and tolerance Yet she seen no crime- for there are borders or walls in the game of survival.

And you can’t put up a price for a chance to survive then raise to just to call us a criminal.

Yes you are right life is a game, just not for a price we’re willing to pay Because now every night Maria places a blessing on the she now knows, three angles in her heart. a blessing to the empty suitcase remain a constant a grasias a dios for each second her suitcase collects dust Because everyday unidos is a celebration of divine intervention But with just a knock and shout…..a tear with a cry of outrage. The suitcase gets dusted. this time Her daughter will be the one to tuck dreams and hopes…only broken and destroyed -a dress for the time her son would walk the stage -a necklace bought with her daughter’s first dime -shoes in which she jumped for college acceptance letters Her daughter will tuck those items carefully Just holding on long enough to a memory….for the suitcase is now as full as her heart empty.

This time though hope and determination are left behind Filled instead with dreams never forgotten but left behind….undone..

Esther Cabrera reads her poem Suitcase at the YES Arts and Poetry event in Covington.

Karina is left behind with pieces dreams hearts lives Family by a knock a wall a law A Suitcase FULL

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 9

Building Grassroots Power

Cumberland chapter members know fairness is vital Eastern Kentucky’s Cumberland Chapter started July the best way any chapter can: with a chapter meeting. On July 1, folks in the tri-county (Knox, Laurel, Whitley and surrounding counties) area met in Corbin to move plans forward for the equity of gender and sexuality in their communities.

Since then, chapter members are working dili-

Members of the Cumberland chapter enjoyed their second annual Backyard Brisket N' Badminton potluck, with badminton and other games at the KFTC London office. Pictured (left to right) are Dora Sue Farmer, Mayla McKeehan, Marie Deaton and Lu Fields.

gently in speaking with their city commissioners and local LGBTQ business owners in Corbin, Somerset, and Barbourville, making strides toward developing a Fairness Ordinance in their hometowns.

Much progress has been made, and chapter members appreciated the collaboration with Chris Hartman of the Fairness Campaign.

Danny and his partner, Doug, natives of Corbin who were attending their first meeting, expressed that a fairness ordinance isn’t something that would serve just them. The many LGBTQ people who live in hiding due to the lack of such protection remain at the forefront of their minds as well. Danny and Doug both have found that with age, being as active in their community as they’d like to be becomes riddled with health issues.

Another person living in Corbin who attended and must remain anonymous said, “It was really great to connect with the Fairness Campaign. I know there have been a lot of wins at the national level, but there’s still plenty of work to be done locally to make sure our queer neighbors are protected in our communities. It

seems like there was a good response, and I know we’re in a better position to make a difference with the support of the campaign!”

There is still much work left throughout these and surrounding areas. The recent win on August 9 when Maysville in Mason County became the tenth Kentucky city to pass a Fairness Ordinance is showing the progress continuing to be made in Kentucky.

Cumberland chapter members stand in the fact that protecting people from discrimination is vital to a community’s ability to thrive, and will continue putting in the work to get there.

Scott County chapter becomes Rolling Bluegrass chapter

Rolling Bluegrass member Leslie Bebensee drove her ponies and wagon in the Scott County 4th of July parade. Member Rosanne Klarer is shown at left.

At this year’s KFTC Annual Meeting, the Scott County Chapter officially became the Rolling Bluegrass Chapter.

The chapter includes Scott and Harrison counties.

This change was made to reflect the growth of the chapter and the desire to continue to build power in new communities.

July and August have been busy for members in the new Rolling Bluegrass chapter, as they participated in the 3rd Annual Georgetown Pride Picnic, marched in the Georgetown 4th of July parade behind Harrison County member Leslie Bebensee’s ponies, canvassed to learn more about what issues their neighbors are concerned about, and hosted a showing and discussion of the film Making a Killing: Guns, Greed and the NRA.

Going forward, the chapter plans to continue the work to promote curbside recycling in Georgetown, follow up on concerns around the landfill in Sadieville, work with allies around promoting fairness ordinances in Georgetown, Scott County and Cynthiana, and empowering voters to make their voices heard in the upcoming election.

The chapter will continue to meet on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Scott County Public Library for a monthly potluck. They also are canvassing every other Thursday from 6 - 8:30 p.m. around the current elections. To find out where each canvass is, contact either Joe Gallenstein (Joe@ KFTC.org; 859-380-6103) or Sharon Murphy (Sharon@KFTC.org; 859-278-8644).

Follow the Rolling Bluegrass chapter’s work on social media – Twitter: @RBG_KFTC, Facebook: www.facebook.com/rbg.kftc

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

10 | Balancing the Scales

Building Grassroots Power

‘Edge effects’ allow greater diversity, innovative ideas to thrive

By Rowena Mahloch I believe that good, healthy food is a basic human right. But achieving this end requires an equitable food system where everyone has access to fresh, nutritious, affordable, culturally relevant, local food that is grown, raised and processed with the care and well-being of humans, animals and the land. Obviously, this is not what we have now.

So in April 2017, I went “all in” with this anthem to host Lexington Food Justice Radio (LFJR). The program airs from 10-11 a.m. at 93.9 LPFM WLXU, Lexington Community Radio. I interview local farmers, citizen activists and organizations to view justice through the lens of food.

Organizing around food makes sense. The need for good healthy food is universal, and issues impacting food justice don’t occur in a vacuum. Reimagining an equitable system involves advocating for economic justice, racial justice, health equities, fair labor policies, fair housing, land stewardship, etc., etc., etc.

The experience of hosting LFJR motivated me to explore creative writing to further advocate for food justice. “Art as a Tool for Change” was a class I took this summer at the Carnegie Center, a literary hub in Lexington. KTFC cosponsored this 5-week course.

The class was designed to help students generate and share creative work that amplifies underrepresented voices and issues.

In class we talked about how an artist’s role is to

bring critical awareness and inclusivity about topics that are difficult to discuss because it’s uncomfortable for many of us. Yet standing on familiar (comfortable) ground makes it difficult to cultivate social change.

Art, however, can engage our differences.

Art creates space for all voices, including people who are marginalized because they are not in the majority nor hold positions of power or privilege. Art sparks radical collaboration that will cultivate movements and lead to positive change.

In ecology, a transitional area of vegetation between two ecosystems (e.g., a clearing between a forest and grassland) is an ecotone. The ecotone has flora and fauna from each ecosystem, as well as additional species that came into existence by adapting specifically to the area. The tendency of an ecotone to provide a thriving habitat for a greater diversity of species is an “edge effect.”

When art fosters a climate for a diversity of ideas that transform communities, this is the “edge effect.”

Though I recognized the overall concept, I hadn’t considered its application as a tool for social change.

Suddenly, as I sat in class jotting down “edge effects” in my notes, that proverbial light bulb went on in my head. That moment reshaped my perspective about my role as an organizer.

During our recent annual meeting, I helped to facilitate Writing for Social Change: A Workshop on Movement Building. We wanted to provide a fun, welcoming, non-judgmental space to motivate and inspire

Rowena Mahloch (left) talks with a participant at the writing for social change workshop at the KFTC annual meeting.

folks to put pen to paper and “speak” their truths.

To encourage our creativity, we included some low-stakes writing exercises. The one that I led was a writing prompt about “Why I Write.” Afterwards some folks generously shared their reasons, but I didn’t have the chance to offer mine. So here it is: Our food system sucks. I intend to use my platforms as a radio show host and a writer to produce an edge effect that will allow a greater diversity of voices to be heard and innovative ideas to thrive. Together, we will create an equitable food system where everyone in our community eats fresh, nutritious, delicious food.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 11

KFTC Annual Membership Meeting Claiming Our Commonwealth: Creating Kentucky’s Beloved Community

Members create a beloved community

By Matthew Frederick KFTC’s annual meeting once again demonstrated the power that a 37-year-old grassroots organization can bring to bear. Harnessing the people power of its near 12,000 strong members, KFTC brought together more than 300 of its membership in Berea.

They attended multiple workshops throughout a weekend full of training, learning, dialogue and fellowship.

Aside from the necessary administration of chapter petitions, platform changes, officer elections and recognizing the significant work and contributions of many, KFTC’s annual meeting is a time for its membership, which spans the entire commonwealth of Kentucky, to meet and talk face to face. For such a large, decentralized organization, this time is invaluable for networking, planning and growing. It’s a time

for members to connect with each other when they otherwise might not, and this aspect of the meeting found special emphasis this year with the theme of “Creating Kentucky’s Beloved Community.”

Members took advantage of the opportunity to share stories, interests and concerns. They found common causes, and they made plans to pursue those causes. United by issues such as tax justice, health care reform, gender equality, racism and environmental advocacy, the membership explored new strategies for harnessing its own power. In small group sessions, members built up their skills, helping each other learn about organizing, social media and leveraging people power to build better democratic communities.

On Saturday night, attendees were treated to a keynote address by Anthony Thigpenn, a Los Angeles-based community organizer and president of California Calls, an alliance of 31 organizations

“I am proud to say that we passed the most progressive platform in KFTC history at my home, Berea College. Students at Berea College are directly affected by the issues that KFTC members value.” ­— Adam Funck Madison County Chapter member throughout California. In his speech, Thigpenn leveraged his over 30 years of experience to provide insight and advice on grassroots organizing and activism.

Thigpenn also offered more in-depth information and strategies in one of the weekend’s workshops, “Power Analysis: Building a Plan to Build Governing Power.”

As the weekend and the meeting came to an end, KFTC’s membership had to say their goodbyes for perhaps another year. However, they were eagerly making plans to return to their own beloved home communities, committed to sharing their newly learned skills and heartfelt connections. Emboldened by the annual meeting experience, members left with new visions of more just and democratic communities as well as the skills, abilities and connections to make those communities a reality.

Anthony Thigpenn: Everything we care about is at stake “The one thing I’m certain of is that grassroots organizing and power building are essential if we are to prevail in this moment.”

Anthony Thigpenn of California Calls – a powerful alliance of 31 organizations in 12 counties around the state – gave this year’s keynote address at KFTC’s annual meeting. He focused on the essential role grassroots organizing and power building can and should play during this critical moment in our collective history.

“Everything we care about is at stake in this moment.”

Even as progress of the last few years – and decades – is being stripped away, KFTC members remain

committed to building a movement oriented toward a shared vision of a beloved community. To achieve that vision in this moment, Thigpenn said our ambitions have to be greater. Organizing should focus on “not just building power, but building governing power and taking back that power into our own hands.”

Building governing power will take uniting groups that often operate independently. Thigpenn estimates that there are 20-30 million people engaging in a progressive movement. He counts state-based organizations like KFTC in 25-30 states, four to five national networks and emergent movements like the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival, the #metoo movement, the Movement for Black Lives, and others.

Given the resistance and organizing that is happening across the country, and the strong community organizing infrastructure that has been built over the decades, Thigpenn said the components are in place to win.

“Everything is volatile, but nothing has been decided yet. The battle is still to be won or lost.”

Thigpenn emphasized three focus areas necessary in this moment of unique opportunity to form a united front and to turn things around:

1. Change must come from the bottom up, within our communities.

2. Leadership by people of color and women are critical and we cannot win without that leadership.

3. We must emphasize a multi-year power building strategy, going on the offensive and running a transformative social agenda.

“Martin Luther King Jr. said the arc of history bends toward justice. But we have to add: it’s not automatic and it’s not predestined. We’ve got to work for it. This is our moment to bend that arc back. Will you seize it?”

Thigpenn, who is based in Los Angeles, is widely recognized as a leading expert in grassroots, civic engagement technology and programs. He ran successful field campaigns for the mayor of Los Angeles and members of Congress, the state legislature and the LA city council, among others. Thigpenn is currently the president of California Calls, whose mission is to achieve progressive, long-term tax and fiscal policy reform by engaging underrepresented, low-income voters in state public policy decision-making.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

12 | Balancing the Scales

2018 Annual Membership Meeting KFTC is part of building a movement oriented to a shared vision of a beloved community – the Kentucky many of us believe is possible. The Beloved Community is a concept popularized by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. based on his belief that a mass group of people truly committed to nonviolence can create a world where discrimination, poverty, militarism, hate, fear and all forms of violence are eradicated and love, trust, peace, reconciliation and justice thrive. We claim that Kentucky.

The KFTC Annual Membership Meeting was a time to celebrate each other and our work, learn new skills for the challenges ahead, find strength and comfort in one another, and have fun. Here are some photo highlights.

Action for Democracy: Working Toward People Powered Politics in Kentucky

Shaping a Just Transition in Kentucky

Following Youth Leadership

From Monuments to Monumental Movements: Supporting People Of Color Led Organizing

Teri Blanton

Adam Funck and Alondra Barrera Garcia

Ebony O’Rea and her children, Mia and Makel

Austin Norrid

Creating Spaces of Belonging: Anti-oppression Within Our Organizing

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 13

Writing for Social Change: A Workshop on Movement Building

Building Beloved Community through Connection and Resilience

Randy Wilson

Chandra Cruz-Thomson and Connor Allen

Sarah-Sage Hoffman

Corey Logan

Building a Moral Movement: The Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign

Art in Organizing

Building a Plan to Build Governing Power

Beyond Pronouns Workshop

Campaign for Our Commonwealth

Cara Stewart and Nate Green

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

14 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC 2018 Annual Awards

The Joyce Wise Award

At each annual meeting, KFTC recognizes the remarkable work and commitment to KFTC and social justice shown by some outstanding individuals and groups. Here are this year’s award winners.

Presented to the KFTC member who has overcome personal adversity to help others.

2018 Recipients

The Gladys Maynard Start of Something Big Award

The Alice O. Martin Award

Presented to the member or group of members whose commitment and action leads to the development of a major movement or event in the cause of justice.

Presented to the member who has done the most work behind the scenes to strengthen KFTC as an organization.

2018 Recipient

Chase Gladson

Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

Tina and Mark Jackson

2018 Recipients and

Nicole Breazeale The Evelyn Williams Award Presented to the members who have persevered against great obstacles and over time to win an important victory.

2018 Recipients

The Rowan County Chapter

The Sister Marie Gangwish Award Presented to the member who has worked steadily and creatively to raise the grassroots funds that support KFTC’s success.

2018 Recipients

Teresa Christmas, Summer Bolton, Angela Conway and Tara Sorrels

Ally of the Year

Special Friend Awards

Presented to the ally organization that has done the most over the past year to support KFTC’s work and goals of organizing.

Cumberland Chapter • Clear Creek Creative • Madison County First Thursday Club • Kentucky Council of Churches

2018 Recipient

Funder of the Year The anonymous donor who provided our $100,000 challenge match

Mijente Louisville The Daniel Thompson Bridge Builder Award

The Joe Begley and Everett Akers Award

Presented to the members who diligently and faithfully worked to bring together diverse groups of people within KFTC.

Presented to the member who is jailed, loses a job or faces some other major adversity because of their work for social justice.

2018 Recipients

Sassa Rivera

and

Austin Norrid

2018 Recipients

Alexa Hatcher, Dave Kobersmith and Amanda Spears and other plaintiffs in the Medicaid waiver case

Membership Recruitment Awards Central Kentucky Chapter Western Kentucky Chapter Grassroots Fundraising Award Jefferson County Chapter

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 15

The Hazel King Lifetime Achievement Award At KFTC’s Annual Meeting, long-time member Judi Jennings was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Friend and fellow member Pam McMichael presented the award, noting the varied roles Jennings plays in building grassroots power. Here is an excerpt of McMichael’s remarks.

Judi Jennings is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award

Real is one of the most consistent things you’ll ever hear about Judi. Let’s also add, from your words and mine: Fierce. Passionate.

Operates from her values. Accountable to the people. Courageous. Stays rooted in what she believes. Brings her full self to any room she’s in and is herself in any room. Cuts through the BS. Honest. Unapologetic. Fun. From a meeting in Letcher County, to a jail in Louisville, to working with KFTC members on art and organizing, to a symposium in the post-election South to a board meeting of

grantmakers in the arts, to a park or coffee shop in Paris or an international oral history conference in Finland, Judi has authentic relationships and influence around the world.

Though there have been different hats and roles, in different places, she is consistent about bringing rural people to the center of the conversation, about being rooted in accountability to people she comes from and represents, about the importance of understanding the power of place-based art and its ties to personal and community life.

“There were so many people and chapters that won awards for their social justice work that it was very inspirational. You left the ceremony anxious to get more involved. I felt so much love and camaraderie among the old and new friends. There was so much diversity and a very good representation of Kentuckians at the meeting.”

“The KFTC annual meeting was wholesome beyond measure. The atmosphere was full of such love, empathy and togetherness. Having experienced this, and through the educational and touching workshops, I feel as equipped as ever to expand our beloved community. I appreciate so much everyone I had the fortune of meeting!”

– Jenny Hungerbuhler, Corbin

– Damien Hammons, Barbourville

Just Transition

Trump carbon pollution plan would harm clean job growth Thousands more people would get sick and die prematurely, thousands of jobs would be lost and the cost of electricity would increase more than necessary – those are the predicted outcomes of a proposal by the Trump administration to replace rules designed to reduced the nation’s carbon pollution.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the proposal in mid-August.

The proposal rolls back the Clean Power Plan proposed by the Obama administration. The CPP called for reducing carbon pollution by 19 percent across the nation, including 31 percent in Kentucky, one of the nation’s biggest carbon polluters.

The Empower Kentucky Plan, released by KFTC in April 2017, took that proposal even further, detailing how the pollution reduction could be achieved and exceeded while also creating 46,000 Kentucky clean energy jobs over 10 years and keeping the cost of electricity lower than a do-nothing approach advocated by state officials.

Instead, the EPA’s new plan basically tells states not to bother. The new 0.7-1.5 percent carbon pollution reduction goal will be achieved by what utilities are already doing.

The New York Times looked at the details of the new Trump plan and noted that replacing the Clean Power Plan, by the administration’s own admission, would cause “as many as 1,400 premature deaths annually by 2030 from an increase in the extremely fine particulate matter that is linked to heart and lung disease, up to 15,000 new cases of upper respiratory problems, a rise in bronchitis, and tens of thousands of missed school days.”

By contrast, the similar analysis for the Clean Power Plan estimated that between 1,500 to 3,600 premature deaths annually could be prevented by 2030 due to cleaner air.

EPA will accept comment on its proposed “Affordable Clean Energy” rule for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Comments should be identified

by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355 and may be submitted by one of the following methods.

Online: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for submitting comments to EPAHQ-OAR-2017-0355.

Email: Comments may be sent to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQOAR-2017-0355 in the subject line of the message.

Mail: Environmental Protection Agency, EPA Docket Center (EPA/DC), Mail Code 28221T, Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460.

Fax: Fax your comments to: (202) 566-9744. Attention Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2017-0355.

To stay informed and get involved, sign up at www. empowerkentucky.org.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

16 | Balancing the Scales

environmental Justice

Ohio River agency wants to abandon water quality standards

By Robin Ghee “Protect our water” was the strong and clear message of close to 100 people who attended a July 26 public forum on a proposal to abandon regional water standards for the Ohio River by the multistate Ohio River Valley Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO).

“Only a few years after the water crisis of Flint and Standing Rock, we are on the verge of another nightmare in which regulators are more interested in carrying out the wish list of polluting industry than protecting the health of the public.” said Eira Tansey, a member of Metro Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Democratic Socialists of America.

ORSANCO was established in 1948 as a compact between eight states, including Kentucky, and the federal government to control and abate pollution in the Ohio River basin. But now the commission is proposing an industry-backed plan to do away with its standards, letting states set pollution standards.

Yet all who spoke pointed out that often the commission’s standards well surpass those set by the federal Clean Water Act and state laws. And despite stronger regional standards, the Ohio River remains the most polluted inland waterway in the country.

The river hosts 26 coal-burning plants along its banks, about one every 38 miles. Five million people from eight states rely on drinking water from the river.

At least 100 pollutants for which there are no federal or state standards are included in ORSANCO’s standards. Fifty-two of Kentucky’s water quality standards are weaker than ORSANCO’s.

Gutting regional standards would leave an uneven network of weaker individual state regulations, many commenters pointed out. And the proposal comes at a time when the federal Environmental Protection Agency is being undermined in Washington, DC. Public comment was passionate and opposed I attended the public hearing with other members of the Northern Kentucky KFTC Chapter, as well as individuals who call the river area their home and members of a wide swath of environmental and activist organizations.

We heard well-researched arguments by public health and environmental scientists and activists who

have long been involved in the fight to protect our water.

Epidemiologist Colleen Kaelin of Frankfort recently retired from the Kentucky Department of Public Health, where she served as the epidemiologist in charge of environmental health impacts.

“My main focus has been the impact of climate change on public health,” she said. “We need to increase the watchfulness over our water quality because we will be seeing more infectious disease outbreaks, more situations similar to the lead poisoning in Flint if we do not continue to consistently monitor our water quality and our water security.”

Indra Frank, a physician and director of environmental health and water policy at the Indiana-based Hoosier Environmental Council, took information about her state directly from a report by ORSANCO, comparing its standards to those of member states and the EPA. “There are 54 ORSANCO standards that Indiana does not have at all and 63 ORSANCO standards that are more protective than the Indiana standards.

So there are more than 100 standards that are not redundant along the Indiana stretch of the river,” she pointed out.

Dangerous connections We also heard from activists and community organizers angered by the influence of corporate money on the commissioners and their decisions. Three commissioners are appointed by each of the governors of the eight states along the river, and three are appointed by the federal government.

Tansey questioned where commissioners’ interests lie.

“We’ve been told that the majority of commissioners favor … a path towards deregulation that happens to line up with the interests and stated preferences of polluting industry.”

Ohio’s status as one of the dirtiest rivers in the country can be directly traced to companies that have requested the commission relax its standards, she added, including Alcoa, AK Steel, American Electric Power, ArcelorMittal, First Energy, Duke Energy and Jupiter, who all have had dozens of Clean Water Act violations in recent years.

“Half of the commissioners have ties to polluting industry. They have either worked directly in the mining and energy industries or they’ve represented them as clients of their consulting firms and law practices.”

Among those with industry ties, Tansey listed Commissioner Charles Snavely of Kentucky, who retired from Excel Mining, and commissioners who worked at Massey Energy, serve on the National Coal Council and represent clients such as Dupont, one of the worst polluters of the river.

“This is not sound science or policy making,” she said. “This is the fox guarding the hen house door. If the commission guts regional pollution control standards, it is selling out the health and safety of everyone living downstream from polluting industry for the ability of corporations to make more money.”

Individuals voice fears and concerns The most moving comments came from those who live in the small river towns of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, whose families have relied on the river for decades. Army veteran Melanie Phillips participates in a recreation program for veterans and said the river is one of the only places she finds peace to deal with PTSD and other issues.

Another person said she remembered a childhood playing in a creek that feeds into the river and questioned whether her grandchildren will know that joy.

The meeting drew people young and old. Students from the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition were well represented.

“Things like this are extremely upsetting. I can’t help getting angry,” KSEC member Emma Anderson said. “I grew up on the Ohio River, swam in the river every day in the summer. It’s a part of me – I miss it like a friend when I’m gone. It’s just a bad idea.”

Noland Aull also is a member of KSEC and an environmental commissioner for Fayette County. continued on next page

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 17

Just Transition

Black Lung town hall highlights need for Congress to act More than 100 coal miners and their family members, health care and legal professionals, and political representatives convened in Whitesburg on August 23 for a town hall to discuss and voice concerns about the unprecedented number of coal miners with black lung disease.

“Black lung is not your grandpa’s disease,” Linda Adams of Pike County, who lost both her husband and nephew to black lung, told attendees.

Research shows the deadly and incurable disease is currently at epidemic levels among coal miners and is afflicting workers at a younger age. It’s becoming less of a gamble for miners and more of a guarantee.

Both the severity and the prevalence of black lung are greater than ever before, said Dr. Cara Halldin, a lead scientist at the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) studying the disease.

According to a recent publication by researchers at

NIOSH, 1 in 5 Central Appalachian (Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia) veteran miners have developed black lung.

“This isn’t plateauing, this isn’t slowing down… [it is a] true epidemic any way you want to look at it,” said Dr. Brandon Crum, a radiologist and former miner from Pikeville.

Retired coal miner Leonard Fleming explained the difficulty of living with the disease.

“We all like to work. And most of us like to go fishing. Like to go hunting, like to go to a ball game every once in a while. But if you get black lung you can do none of that, absolutely none,” he said. “When you eliminate that out of your life, you’re taking most of your life away.”

The federal Black Lung Trust Fund, financed by a per-ton excise fee on coal production, currently supports approximately 19,000 miners and their families.

Black lung is a disease, caused by overexposure to coal mine dust, that with good laws and proper enforcement could be all but eliminated.

The number of new black lung cases across the nation hit a low in the late 1980s. Since the 1990s, however, the disease has been on the increase, even as the number of coal miners has declined and new laws to prevent the disease have been passed.

Much of the spike in the disease is found in Central Appalachia, including Kentucky.

“It’s an entirely preventable disease, and every case is an important representation of a failure to prevent this disease,” Kirsten Almberg of the University of Illinois at Chicago and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health told Reuters News Service. NIOSH has been documenting the prevalence of the disease over the past 50 years.

And more cases of the most severe form of the disease – progressive massive fibrosis – are showing up and afflicting miners at a younger age. PMF is debilitating and leads to respiratory distress and death.

Earlier this year, Kentucky legislators made it harder for coal miners and their surviving dependents to receive black lung disability and medical benefits.

ORSANCO water quality standards … continued from previous page “There’s this abdication from the top down of responsibilities. There’s this very toxic concept that leaving it up to the free market will create a push for moral behavior, this good stewardship. It’s been proven time and again to just not be the case,” Aull said.

“It never works out, much to the chagrin of local populations who have to deal with the aftermath and who are the least prepared to do so. The abdication of authority, the abdication of responsibility is definitely something to be concerned about.”

To sum up, people are angry and concerned about what might happen if the more stringent ORSANCO standards should go away. They do not buy the argument that its standards are redundant and are concerned that this move could increase pollution and negatively impact the vital Ohio River water for decades to come.

The deadline for submitting comments was August 20.

To read more information about the PCS program, the website is: www.orsanco.org/programs/ pollution-control-standards/

Federal assistance and medical reimbursements for miners with black lung will be threatened if Congress does not take action by the end of the year, when that fee is scheduled to be reduced by more than 50 percent.

In June, a Government Accountability Office report found that if the excise tax rate is not raised or extended, then revenue will be insufficient to cover beneficiary payments and administrative costs starting in 2020. Though black lung is indisputably on the rise, the National Mining Association has spread false claims that it is declining and the trust fund can be sustained by a lesser excise tax.

Patty Amburgey, a KFTC member and secretary of the Southeast Kentucky Black Lung Association, urged the audience to take action. “If we don’t speak up, we don’t stand up, we are going to lose something that means a lot to eastern Kentucky miners.”

This local effort is part of a larger regional movement. The town of Big Stone Gap recently became the first to pass a resolution urging Congress to take action on the excise tax. Voices from the communities most affected by the disease are asking Congress to take action to assure that the coal industry does not evade its responsibility to support miners.

State Rep. Angie Hatton was in attendance at the hearing in Whitesburg and spoke about the importance of miners being able to fairly acquire benefits, and a representative of U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers was in attendance and offered to speak with impacted miners.

The event was cosponsored by the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation, the Black Lung Association of Southeastern Kentucky, and the National Coalition of Black Lung and Respiratory Disease Clinics.

TAKE ACTION Tell members of Congress to ensure that coal companies pay their fair share to provide black lung benefits to miners and their families. See contact information for Kentucky’s Congressional delegation on page 6.

Sign a petition urging your representatives to support legislation that would raise the Black Lung Disability Excise Tax by 25 percent, or at the very least maintain it at its current rate.

Go to: www.powerplusplan.org/black-lung.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

18 | Balancing the Scales

Voter Empowerment

Opportunities across Kentucky to do voter engagement work This is a critical election year for our voices to be heard, but it only works if you join us out in the field and on the phones to connect with folks, talk about issues and values, and ask them to be voters. KFTC is rising to the challenge with the hiring of 20 shortterm voter empowerment organizers and with KFTC members connecting with their neighbors through community events, door-to-door canvasses and phone banks.

Will you volunteer some of your time? Here is some of what will happen this fall.

Central Kentucky • • • • • •

•

•

Canvassing Thursdays 6-8 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sundays 3-6 p.m.

Phone banking every Tuesday, 4-7 p.m. at the KFTC office, 250 Plaza Drive, Suite 4, Lexington Postcard writing every other Monday (beginning September 10), 5-7 p.m. at Third Street Stuff, 257 N Limestone #1, Lexington Tabling at Roots & Heritage Festival, September 8, all day Tabling at Jimtown Days, September 3, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Voter Engagement training, September 22 at the Village Branch Library, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Lunch provided.

Anti-Oppression through Voter Engagement training, October 14 at Lexington’s Northside Library, 2-4 p.m.

KFTC will also be doing Voter Matthew Gidcomb, Emily Goodman and Registration at UK through the Jennifer Mansfield help staff the KFTC UK KFTC chapter and other altable at Lexington Pride 2018. lies on campus.

Contact Meredith Wadlington at Meredith@kftc.org or DeBraun Thomas at Debraun@kftc.org or call 859-276-0563 for more information.

Southern Kentucky

• • •

Canvassing every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday from 4-7 p.m.

Phone banking every Friday from 4-7 p.m.

Western Kentucky University day every Thursday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

This schedule is through October 9 and will likely change again after that. Contact Laura Harper Knight at laura@kftc.org or Molly Kaviar at molly@kftc.org for more information.

Barren County

• •

Canvassing every Friday from 3-5 p.m.

Phone banks on Tuesdays from 5-7 p.m.

For more information, contact Alex Goldsmith at Alex@kftc.org

Jefferson County •

• • • • •

Canvassing every Thursday, 5:30-8 p.m., and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (through October 9) Voter Registration Drive at U of L on September 27 Coming – weekly phone banks Sign up for all Voter Engagement events: www.tinyurl.com/ Members participate in a Voter Empowergotv2018-kftc ment 101 training in Jefferson County.

Smoketown GetDown for Democracy: Friday, September 14, 4-10 p.m. at 760 S Hancock Street in Louisville Voter Empowerment 101 Training – September 26, 6-8 p.m. Location TBD For more information about events or if you’d like to become a Voter Empowerment Leader and organize voter registration drives, canvasses and more in your neighborhood, contact Becky Jones at becky@kftc.org for training and resources.

Rowan County

•

Voter registration/education table at Morehead Arts and Eats, September 15, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information, contact Nikita Perumal at nikita@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 Northern Kentucky • • • • • •

Canvassing every Monday at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Virtual Phone Banking from home Registering voters at Cristo Rey Parish in Florence on September 15, 6-11 p.m. and September 16, 1:30-6 p.m.

Registering voters at Oktoberfest, 5-9 p.m. on September 7, noon -9 p.m. on September 8, and 1-6 p.m. on September 9 Registering voters at Brighton Center Community Celebration in Newport on September 14 from 3-7 p.m.

Florence Candidate Meet and Greet at Velocity Bike and Bean, October 6, 1-3 p.m.

• Voter registration at Thomas More College, Northern Kentucky University and Gateway Community and Technical College Campuses on September 17 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Election Watch Party (location TBD) 6-11 p.m. on November 6

Megan Pfeffer and Kimmy Sandlin register Sean Tieman to vote at the Newport Library.

Contact Joe Gallenstein at Joe@KFTC. org for more information. (continued on next page )

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 19

Voter Empowerment

Berea Democracy Headquarters is space for conversations

By Curtis Hall KFTC Voter Empowerment Organizer In an effort to strengthen community engagement, the Madison County KFTC Chapter started the Democracy Headquarters initiative that coincides with Berea’s weekly concert event.

From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every Friday, the Berea office of KFTC transforms into Democracy HQ, where Madison County citizens have a chance to register to vote, talk about issues that matter to them, and learn more about opportunities to get involved with KFTC. Democracy HQ is popular among student members of KFTC. The open office space on Fridays gives them a chance to talk with those who are not a part of the Berea College community.

Eric García, a senior at Berea College and a KFTC Sustaining Giver, said that, “as a new mem-

ber, I am educated about what goes on in the community and it helps make me more objective about the political decisions I make.”

KFTC staffers are given a unique view of the community as well. Staffers get to talk with individuals that stop in who they haven’t been able to connect with during canvassing and tabling activities.

All kinds of individuals, even those who do not share the views of the organization, share problems they face in the community. Democracy HQ is key for staffers because it gives them a point of contact with potential members in Madison County.

Those who run Democracy HQ are honored to share a space with community members. Not only are staffers and members able to register voters, they get to show what it means to take ownership in their community. Helping individuals realize that their voice can be used as a tool for meaningful change is a privilege staffers and members embrace.

Voter engagement (continued) Madison County •

Canvassing every Saturday, 2-5 p.m. starting at the KFTC office, 210 N Broadway #3, Berea.

Phone banking on Wednesdays (starting on September 5) from 4-8 p.m. at the KFTC office, 210 N. Broadway #3, Berea.

Voter Engagement Training from 12-2 p.m. on September 8 and October 13 Pop-Ed Series on the third Monday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m., Broadway Center, Suite 50, 204 N Broadway, Berea. The first two will be on September 17 (Government 101: State & Federal) and October 15 (Government 101: Local Offices).

Election Watch Party from 6-11 p.m. November 6 at the KFTC office, 210 N. Broadway #3, Berea

• • •

•

Watch the Madison County Facebook page and chapter emails for more canvasses and phone banks. For more info, contact Sasha Zaring at sasha@kftc.org Rolling Bluegrass (Scott and Harrison counties) • • • •

Canvassing every other Thursday Phone banking on alternating Thursdays Registering voters at housing workshop at Scott County Public Library, October 6 from 1-3 p.m.

Election Watch Party (location TBD) 6-11 p.m. on November 6 Contact Sharon Murphy at Sharon@KFTC.org for more information.

The Madison County KFTC office is a unique community space on Friday evenings for voters to discuss issues and voter engagement.

Western Kentucky •

September 16 chapter meeting followed by phonebank and canvassing.

Statewide Voter Registration Deadline – October 9, 2018

If you're not registered, or need to update your voter address, get to your local County Clerk's office (https://bit.ly/2wiOUNK) and register. Or do so online: www.GoVoteKY.org • To check voter registration status, visit the Voter Information Center here: www.GoVoteKY.org • Students who are away from home going to school have the right to either use a permanent home address or temporary local address as their voting address; KFTC encourages students to register locally, especially if home is far away.

• 17-year-olds can register to vote if they will be 18 on or before November 6.

Election Day – November 6 • • •

Polls are open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visit www.KentuckyElection.org to see who will be on your ballot and where they stand on the issues.

Volunteer with your local KFTC chapter to offer rides to the polls, encourage voter turnout and making candidate positions known to voters.

All voters must produce identification or be known by a precinct officer.

Acceptable IDs are adriver’s license, Social Security card, county issued identification card approved in writing by the State Board of Elections, U.S. government-issued identification card, Kentucky state government-issued identification card with picture, credit card, or another form of ID containing both picture and signature.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

20 | Balancing the Scales

Economic justice

School districts have even fewer resources than past years

By Ashley Spalding Kentucky Center for Economic Policy This year as kids head back to school, Kentucky school districts face challenges due to cuts in state funds, ranging from no funding for textbooks and professional development to cuts to preschool. More than a decade of cuts, including those in 2019, threaten the quality of P-12 education and will contribute to the widening per-pupil funding gap between the state’s poorest and wealthiest school districts.

amount over the past 15 years. In 2019, the state will be contributing just 60 percent of these costs, and it will fall on school districts to come up with the rest of what it takes to get students to and from school.

When it comes to making up for state funding cuts, wealthier school districts are in a much better position to do so than poorer districts. This can impact the state’s ability to address achievement gaps as districts facing greater economic challenges may have to cut critical programs and services more deeply than other districts.

Funding makes a difference to kids and classrooms

Student support programs cut

Research shows adequate school funding makes a big difference in student success in school and beyond, and can help address achievement gaps between wealthy and poorer students and communities.

A survey of school districts shows that Kentucky’s underfunding of P-12 education is hurting classrooms and students. Between 2008 and 2018 many districts had to reduce course offerings, school-based services, the number of staff, the number of instructional days and more. Some districts pushed more costs onto parents through instructional and extracurricular fees – a form of school In the long run, if we want to funding … address achievement gaps which disand set our kids, and the comadvantages monwealth’s economy, up for a poorer disbright future – we need to fund tricts and education more adequately. families.

SEEK, our core funding for schools, isn’t the only funding stream that has been cut repeatedly in the past and in the new budget. The additional round of cuts in the current school year results in significant cuts to important student support programs. In our survey, respondents consistently expressed their concern about the impact on students and classrooms from a lack of funding for textbooks, professional development and after-school programs (Extended School Services).

Zero state funding for the basics of classroom learning such as instructional materials/textbooks and professional development for teachers will inevitably take a toll. A 2014 study of education funding adequacy in Kentucky recommended, as a best practice, funding textbooks and other instructional materials at a rate of $120 to $150 per student each year. Citing research, the report notes, “the need for up-to-date instructional materials is paramount. Newer materials contain more accurate information and incorporate the most contemporary pedagogical approaches.”

The study also recommended significant additional investments in professional development, which can play an important role in promoting effective classroom instruction – key to improving learning and reducing achievement gaps.

After-school programs, which are a critical support for students, were also cut by 6.25 percent in 2019 – for a cumulative cut of 39 percent (in inflationadjusted terms) since 2008. Extended school services have been shown to produce positive academic outcomes and help close achievement gaps.

2019 education funding continues state cuts

Last year Kentucky ranked 3rd worst in the nation for per-student cuts to core school funding – which in the commonwealth is the SEEK formula. The new state budget does not meaningfully increase SEEK funding in 2019, a funding stream that includes the guaranteed base amount, transportation, Tier I, teachers’ retirement system employer match and other costs.

This continues more than a decade of damaging cuts to state funding for education, making it a 14 percent cut in total SEEK funding per student between 2008 and 2019 once inflation is taken into account.

Part of this decline in total SEEK funding per student has to do with the state’s underfunding of school transportation since the mid-2000s. The state has only been paying a portion of the statutorily required

Districts have even less funding for preschool Already-inadequate state funding for preschool was also cut by 6.25 percent in 2019. Last year it was reported that just 40 percent of school districts

had full-day preschool – which has been shown to be more effective than half-day programs at promoting academic success. The state only provides funding for half-day preschool and does not fund preschool transportation, placing greater pressure on struggling local school districts to cover additional costs.

Funding gap between poorest and wealthiest districts continues to grow As described, inadequate funding for education from the state means local districts have to make up the difference. As a result, the gap is growing between what we spend in state and local dollars, per-pupil, in the state’s wealthiest and poorest school districts.

An equal education for every child was one of the central mandates of the 1989 court case that led to the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA). But the graph above shows that Kentucky is continuing to creep back towards pre-KERA levels of inequity.

Despite increasing fiscal strain due to inadequate state funding, our districts are figuring out a way to open the doors on the first day of school and keep them open this year. The specific decisions they make to balance increasingly tight budgets remain to be seen. Will they schedule even fewer instructional days?

Provide students with no new textbooks? Increase class sizes? Be less likely to offer full-day preschool? Eliminate more courses, programs and student supports?

Further increase fees for parents?

In the long run, if we want to provide a highquality education to all Kentucky students – address achievement gaps and set our kids, and the commonwealth’s economy, up for a bright future – we need to fund education more adequately.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 21

KFTC News

KFTC marks 37 years of grassroots organizing in Kentucky Happy Birthday, KFTC! In August, KFTC turned 37. The Kentucky Fair Tax Coalition, as KFTC was called back then, was born in eastern Kentucky on August 17, 1981.

The organization has grown a lot in 37 years, and the name isn’t the only thing that’s changed. But the organizations remains committed to the idea that Kentuckians, organized and taking action together, are powerful enough to change our state.

You can help celebrate this milestone by supporting KFTC’S work this year.

Join KFTC, renew your membership or make a special gift in honor of KFTC’s 37th birthday.

• Become a Sustaining Giver at $3.70 a month or more and receive a free KFTC logo T-shirt.

• Give $37 • Give $370 • Give any other amount. Every gift helps build grassroots power!

Give online at: www.kftc.org/support

Thanks for helping KFTC celebrate our birthday!

An astrological interpretation of KFTC’s natal chart

By Becky Jones and Erin Bridges In honor of KFTC’s 37th Solar Return, here is an interpretation of KFTC’s birth chart.

At approximately 6 p.m. in Hazard, Kentucky, on August 17, 1981, a group of Kentuckians fighting for their communities held the first meeting of the Kentucky Fair Tax Coalition. Here’s what was happening in the stars.

Sun in Leo: We fight, creatively and beautifully, for our people. Leos are a dramatic bunch who like to take center stage, and who energize those around them with charm, wit and excitement. Storming the capital? Skits, plays and musical performances in the halls of our governments’ solemn and silent institutions?

Thank that Leo sun. This placement also suggests a radiant, warm energy that beckons in new folks and invites them to make themselves at home.

Ascendant in Capricorn: Capricorns are workhorsKFTC members making themselves at home in the es, y’all. They have a Plan Capitol Annex for a post-General Assembly skit A, a contingency plan and several decades ago. a contingency plan for the contingency plan. And these aren’t just any plans – every detail has been thought through, outcomes have been weighed, potential impacts have been pondered and a thoughtful conclusion agreed upon. Our Capricorn energy has helped us weather the stormy seas that are bound to come up in 37 years of hard, powerful work – helping us to always see a way to the other side, to make smart and strategic choices, and to buckle down with some elbow grease and just do the darn thing.

Moon in Pisces: Thank goodness for the intuition and sensitivity our Pisces moon brings us. Moon placements tell us about our internal, emotional relationship –

who we are with ourselves. A Pisces moon suggests internal relationships of tenderness and sensitivity, as well as deep commitment to our ideals and vision for the future. This is an organization full of people who care about one another, as people, and who work hard not just for the future we all need but to make each other feel seen, heard and cared for.

Pisces also have a gift for seeing past the realities of our present into the potential of our future. We fight, guided by a yearning for the future we know is not only possible but essential.

The absolutely pure moment between Judi Jennings, winner of this year’s Hazel King Lifetime Achievement Award, and Pam McMichael.

Mercury in Virgo: Placements in Mercury tell us about how we communicate, and Virgo-style communication is thorough, attentive to detail, and analytical. Come on, do y’all read those action alerts? This is too true. Virgos hold themselves to very high standards, and nothing gets under their skin like sloppy work.

Venus in Virgo: Venus governs our relationships – romantic and otherwise. This placement suggests that KFTC approaches organizational relationships with a great deal of care and thought, and that we value the quality of these relationships over their quantity. A Virgo in relationship will want to know how and why we’re forming a partnership, what the expectations are on both ends, and will be very intentional about what we’re offering the other party.

Overall, KFTC’s chart weighs heavily towards earth signs, which should come as no surprise for an organization that has spent the last 37 years working tirelessly for environmental justice. Earth signs also tend to be practical, dedicated, attentive to detail as well as to beauty, and unwavering in their care and support for others.

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

22 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC News

KFTC hiring organizers and apprentices KFTC has begun a hiring process for community organizers and organizer apprentices.

The permanent community organizers will work with KFTC’s grassroots leaders and staff to help strengthen membership and local chapters in four geographic regions: southern Kentucky, central Kentucky, Jefferson County and eastern Kentucky. The goal is to fill all positions before the end of the year.

The apprentice program recognizes that some interested candidates are newer to community organizing and haven't yet developed all of the skills expected for a permanent community organizer job. The apprenticeship provides an opportunity to learn and practice these skills and make sure organizing is a correct career choice.

The apprentice positions will be full time at full salary and benefits and run for a maximum of 12 months from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.

The final number of positions and locations will be influenced by the applicant pool and 2019 budget.

The hiring process comes as KFTC’s initial organizer apprentice program draws to an end. KFTC hired 14 organizer apprentices (12 still on staff) in summer 2017, with the positions lasting through December 2018.

Anyone interested in applying for any of the positions should learn more at www.kftc.org/jobs. The positions are open until filled. Interviews will begin in mid- to late September.

In early September, KFTC will conduct one or more conference calls to allow potential applicants to learn more about KFTC and the positions. Register at: https://bit.ly/2wkLBW7.

Apply for the 2019 Organizing Academy cohort After a successful initial Organizing Academy cohort completed the six-month training program earlier this year, KFTC has decided to continue the program next year. Applications are now being accepted for the 2019 cohort, which will begin in January.

The initial cohort met in person one day a month, January through June, and connected via video conference calls, readings and other opportunities for interaction and support in between. They represented a diverse group of Kentuckians, including folks from across the state and a variety of ages, identities, cultures, experiences, and racial and ethnic identities.

Training topics included inclusive organizing, self-care for organizers and why it matters, power analysis and strategy, campaigns and campaign planning, meeting facilitation, grassroots fundraising, relationship building and leadership development, nonviolent direct action and others.

Academy participants are encouraged to take what they learn back to their local communities and put their new skills and confidence into action through local organizing.

The 2019 cohort is expected to largely model this year’s training program.

To learn more and apply, visit kftc.org/kftc-organizing-academy or contact Beth Howard at BethHoward@ kftc.org or 859-276-0563.

Creative ways to invest in KFTC In addition to your membership dues, did you know you can give even more to KFTC without doing anything extra? With alternative giving programs like MyChange, Kroger Community Rewards and Amazon Smile, a portion of your purchases can be directed to KFTC.

Dave Newton rejoins the KFTC staff with voter focus Dave Newton has rejoined the KFTC staff.

Newton was hired as a Democracy Organizer.

He will focus initially on supporting the work statewide of KFTC staff, leaders, Democracy Teams and chapters to identify, engage, educate, and turn out voters who align with KFTC’s vision and goals.

Beginning in 2019, this role will shift to focus on prioritized areas of work which could include candidate training, campaign organizing training, organizing and supporting Democracy Teams, voter identification, engagement, education and turnout in each election cycle. He also will be the lead statewide organizer on select legislative campaigns, in particular those related to democratic participation.

Newton is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with degrees in history and political science and has experience organizing with the Kentucky Democratic Party, union organizing with Service Employees International Union, and most recently was Deputy Director of the Center for Media Justice in Oakland, CA. He previously was on the KFTC staff from 2004 to 2013.

He lives in Covington and will work from the northern Kentucky office. He's also a giant nerd who loves sci-fi.

Kroger Community Rewards – Krogercommunityrewards.com Choose Kentucky Coalition, organization #ES066 It takes only a few minutes to type in your Kroger Plus Card number and choose Kentucky Coalition.

It’s easy. Just visit these websites to sign up, and without even thinking about it you’ll be giving more to build grassroots power in Kentucky.

Amazon Smile – Smile.amazon.com Choose Kentucky Coalition, Inc. When you shop through the Smile website at smile.amazon.com, 0.5% of the purchase price will benefit KFTC.

MyChange – mychange.com/kentuckians-for-the-commonwealth Sign up for MyChange and start “rounding up” your credit card purchases to the nearest dollar and donating the “change” to KFTC.

Heine Brothers’ Coffee – Heinebroscoffee.com Purchase a bag of Mountain Dream Coffee and KFTC will receive 50 cents (heinebroscoffee.com/shop/mountain-dream/).

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

Balancing the Scales | 23

calendar of events September 2 and October 7 Cumberland chapter meeting, 2-4 p.m.

September 2 location: Somerset Community College Student Union October 7 location: TBD Info: Angel@kftc.org or 606-261-4955 September 3 – chapter meeting and potluck, 6:30 p.m.

October 1 – chapter meeting, 7 p.m.

Wilderness Trace InterCounty Energy Community Room 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 September 4 and October 2 Big Sandy chapter meeting, 6 p.m., KFTC Prestonsburg office (152 N. Lake Drive) Info: Jacob@kftc.org or 606-497-9262 September 6 and October 4 Rolling Bluegrass potluck & chapter meetings, 6:30 p.m.

Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane in Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 September 10 and October 8 Jefferson County chapter meeting 6:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Becky@kftc.org or 502-741-8759 September 14, 4-10 p.m.

Smoketown GetDown for Democracy 760 South Hancock Street, Louisville Info: https://bit.ly/2wd4pXt September 16 and October 21 Western Kentucky chapter meeting 3 p.m. at 208 Faculty Hall Murray State University Info: Lesley@kftc.org or 270-564-8687 September 18 and October 16 Northern Kentucky chapter meetings 7 p.m. at Center for Great Neighborhoods 321 W. 12th Street, Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103

September 20 and October 18 Shelby County chapter meeting 6 p.m. at the Stratton Center 215 Washington Street in Shelbyville Info: Becky@kftc.org or 502-741-8759 September 20 and October 18 Rowan County chapter meeting 6 p.m. at St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Info: Nikita@kftc.org or 502-488-3830 September 20 and October 18 Central Kentucky chapter meeting 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Mission House 203 E. 4th Street, Lexington Info: Meredith@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 September 22 – KFTC Steering Committee meeting, 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Location: Union Church in Berea Info: Heather@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 September 22 – Delores film screening with the Northern Kentucky chapter, 7 p.m.

Kenton County Public Library, Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 September 24 and October 22 Madison County chapter meetings 7 p.m. at the Berea Friends Meeting House 300 Harrison Street, Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 September 25 and October 23 Southern Kentucky chapter meetings 6 p.m. at the Foundry Community Center 531 W 11th Ave. in Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989 October 4 Harlan County chapter meeting Location: TBD Info: Angel@kftc.org or 606-261-4955 October 9 – Voter registration deadline Last day to register to vote in the November 6 General Election; go to GoVoteKY.com to register, review your registration and more

KFTC OFFICES and STAFF MAIN OFFICE Morgan Brown, Burt Lauderdale, Ashley Frasher, Angel Hill and Lakin Dillingham 131 North Mill Street P.O. Box 1450 | London, Kentucky 40743 606-878-2161 | Fax: 606-878-5714

FIELD OFFICES Louisville E’Beth Adami, Alicia Hurle, Becky Jones and Carissa Lenfert 735 Lampton Street #202 • Louisville, Ky. 40203 502-589-3188 Bowling Green Molly Kaviar, Laura Harper, Lesley Garrett, Alex Goldsmith and James Line 958 Collett Ave., Suite 500 Bowling Green, Ky. 42101 270-282-4553 Northern Kentucky Joe Gallenstein, Caitlin Sparks and Dave Newton 640 Main Street • Covington, Ky. 41005 859-380-6103 Central Kentucky Jessica Hays Lucas, Beth Howard, Heather Mahoney, Erik Hungerbuhler, Meredith Wadlington, Tyler Offerman, Sharon Murphy, Tayna Fogle, DeBraun Thomas and Nikita Perumal 250 Plaza Drive, Suite 4 Lexington, Ky 40503 859-276-0563 Floyd County Jessie Skaggs, Jerry Hardt, Jacob Mack-Boll and Taylor Adams 152 North Lake Drive • P.O. Box 864 Prestonsburg, Ky 41653 606-263-4982 Berea Lisa Abbott, Amy Hogg, Sasha Zaring and Michael Harrington 210 N. Broadway, Unit #3 • Berea, Ky 40403 859-756-4027

Morehead Alvin Madden-Grider 606-207-9199

Email any staff member at firstname@kftc.org except for Jessica Hays Lucas, use jessicabreen@ kftc.org; Beth Howard, use bethhoward@kftc.org

www.kftc.org | August 29, 2018

24 | Balancing the Scales

You can build grassroots power in Kentucky Through an automatic, recurring gift, you can help ensure that KFTC’s work to build grassroots power keeps happening every day, all year long.

When you become a Sustaining Giver: • You get to choose how much and how often you give.

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• It’s easy. Once your Sustaining Gift is set up, you never have to worry about renewing your membership.

Become a Sustaining Giver, and we’ll send you our KFTC logo T-shirt!

Become a Sustaining Giver or update your Sustaining Gift today Your automatic, recurring gift provides steady income to support KFTC’s work. Become a Sustaining Giver or update an existing Sustaining Gift today and help build power to achieve our vision for Kentucky. And we’ll send you a perk!

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