February 2017 - Balancing the Scales

VOLUME 36 NUMBER 1

FEBRUARY 3, 2017

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

BALANCING THE

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEXINGTON, KY. PERMIT NO. 513

KFTC leaders set path for KFTC in new political times ............3, 23 Members in solidarity with workers............................................ 8 Big push on RECLAIM Act sets stage for 2017 success..........10, 11 Environmental Justice mapping project........................................12-13 Resistance training ..................... 18 Campaign to preserve Black Lung benefits .............................. 22

Resist with Vision …

KFTC members rally, march and organize for a better Kentucky, nation and world

Thanks for KFTC’s fundraising success in 2016 .......................3, 22

Special pull-out section on ways to stay in touch with legislators during the 2017 General Assembly

2 | Balancing the Scales

is a statewide grassroots social justice orga­­ ni­zation 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 Elizabeth Sanders, chairperson Meta Mendel-Reyes, vice chairperson Homer White, secretary-treasurer Ryan Fenwick, at-large member Dana Beasley Brown, immediate past chair Chapter Representatives Charly Sholty, Big Sandy Sarah Bowling, Central Kentucky Kimberly Shepherd, Harlan County Robby Olivam, Jefferson County Lillian Prosperino, Letcher County Jonah Cabiles, Madison County JoAnn Schwartz, Northern Kentucky Russell Oliver, Perry County Chris Merritt, Rowan County Leslie Bebensee, Scott County Shane Ashford, Shelby County Laura Harper, Southern Kentucky Leah Bayens, Wilderness Trace Alternates: Kim Walters, Big Sandy; Sharon Murphy, Central Kentucky; Roy Farley, Harlan County; Diane Guenthner, Jefferson County; Eric Dixon, Letcher County; Wendy Warren, Madison County; Serena Owen, Northern Kentucky; Randall Wilson, Perry County; Allie Secor, Rowan County; Clare White, Scott County; Nancy Reinhart, Shelby County; Jeanie Smith, Southern Kentucky; Barbara Farley, Wilderness Trace

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Table of Contents

KFTC News KFTC leaders set foundation for new organizing strategies.................................................... 3 Patty Wallace, KFTC leader and inspiration, passes away........................................................ 4 Steering Committee addresses events, program of work...................................................... 23 KFTC members take part in “It Takes Roots” activities in nation’s capital...................... 23 Michael Harrington joins KFTC staff.. ........................................................................................... 24 Kentucky General Assembly Voting Rights bills filed – SB 69 and HB 170 . ............................................................................... 5 Upcoming lobby days with KFTC and ally groups ..................................................................... 5 KFTC members stand in solidarity with workers........................................................................... 6 The racist roots of ‘right to work’ laws.............................................................................................. 7 Chandra Campbell: Looking ahead after a day lobbying......................................................... 14 Economic Justice Protecting health care fight shifts to national focus................................................................... 8 Use march fervor to engage in other social-justice fights........................................................ 8 Republican tax changes likely delayed to special session........................................................ 9 Voting Rights Number of Kentucky’s disenfranchised voters keeps growing ............................................. 6 Gov. Bevin talks voting rights, hasn’t restored any .................................................................... 6 New Energy and Transition Congress fails to pass legislation needed for coal miners...................................................... 10 KFTC members deliver 10,000 signatures to McConnell......................................................... 11 Empower Kentucky KFTC’s environmental justice mapping shows areas most impacted ......................... 12, 13 Chapter Updates Berea coalition looking to heal divisions seen in elections....................................................

Scott County members explore many aspects of Dr. King’s work......................................

Northern Kentucky residents march to show unity against hate crimes..........................

Home energy workshop provides hands-on tips for CKY folks............................................

CKY chapter kicks off new year with resistance training........................................................

15 16 16 17 18

Racial Justice My Front Yard is an Insurrection...................................................................................................... 20 Canary Project New rule protecting streams from coal pollution attacked.................................................... 21 State officials let polluters write weakened coal ash rules..................................................... 21 Petition campaign hopes to save Black Lung provisions....................................................... 22 Citizens’ Legislative Guide – A special pull-out section

Cover: KFTC members are showing up in streets across the state and the halls of the state capitol in solidarity with the people and communities under attack by new state and federal policies.

Balancing the Scales is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and mailed third class from Lexington, Ky. Reader contri­butions 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 | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 3

KFTC News

KFTC leaders set foundation for new organizing strategies KFTC leaders have been plotting KFTC’s path forward in light of the vastly different political landscape after the November election results.

Steering Committee members met in December and late January to deal with the new reality. The December meeting focused largely on response and strategy, while the January meeting included KFTC’s Program of Work for 2017.

One of the points of agreement in December was to be bold about who KFTC is and the shared vision for Kentucky.

Another was A small group discussion during the December Steering the need to build for longer-term Committee meeting. About 70 KFTC leaders attended.

change, especially through voter engagement, based on KFTC’s vision – even and especially while engaged in opposing injustices.

Others included the urgency of opposing the bad, standing with people who will be hurt or are threatened, leading nonviolent resistance and working more closely with allies.

Steering Committee members were joined by about 30 other KFTC leaders for the December discussion.

At the December meeting, committee members approved the creation of an Organizing Academy and an Organizing Apprentice Program, investments in new communications tools and capacity, and the creation of new staff positions with approval to hire additional staff.

While KFTC’s approach will continue to evolve, it will be guided by these imperatives:

• build grassroots power • be vision oriented • build intersectionality • resist, expose, protect • expand our leadership development • build a powerful integrated voter engagement strategy • communicate what is, and also what is possible • increase our #s/membership; raise our $$

Thank You!

Thanks to you, we exceeded our grassroots fundraising goal in 2016.

Thousands of you joined KFTC, renewed your membership, made special gifts, supported our events and helped us raise $511,817. Thank you so much! The grassroots power you help build strengthens our work in the General Assembly and across Kentucky for fair wages, affordable housing, clean water, clean energy, voting rights, racial justice, economic transition, fairness and much more.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

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KFTC News

Patty Wallace, KFTC leader and inspiration, passes away Patty Wallace, a long-time KFTC leader, former KFTC chairperson and an inspiration to many, passed away on November 20.

“Patty was a real heroine to those of us in KFTC,” reflected John and Jean Rosenberg. “Beyond that, she was a lovely, caring person. We will miss Patty a lot.

When strong leaders are being counted, Patty will always be remembered.”

“Patty was a wonderful person and an inspiration to many,” remembered Henry Riekert, the KFTC chairperson in 1994-95.

Wallace and her Lawrence County neighbors got involved in KFTC in the 1980s as they worked to keep PyroChem, a hazardous waste incinerator, from being built. The company had come to county officials stating it wanted to build a recycling facility.

Wallace and members of the Lawrence County Concerned Citizens researched the company and people behind it and exposed their real plans and the environmental disasters they had left in other communities.

As a Girl Scout leader, Wallace had learned about environmental issues in eastern Kentucky and she was ready to defend her community.

They teamed up with KFTC members in other chapters to push a Hazardous Waste Local Control Bill through the Kentucky General Assembly in 1988.

That gave local communities a say in the siting of hazardous waste facilities, and soon the Lawrence County Fiscal Court voted to keep Pyrochem out for good.

“It took us 7 years, but we showed what can happen when citizens fight for the right thing,” Wallace reflected years later. “It was great the night our magistrates came into the courtroom … conducted a hearing and voted PyroChems’s proposal down. When PyroChem surfaced over in West Virginia in a few days we took all our info to those residents and they nipped it in the bud.”

Wallace became KFTC chairperson in 1988, when the broad form deed campaign was at its peak.

Of all her many moments in KFTC, one of her proudest was when the broad form deed constitutional amendment passed and guaranteed landowners some protection from surface mining.

As she became more active in KFTC’s statewide work, Wallace kept an eye on her own community. She and her niece Ruth Colvin attracted national media attention when they fought asbestos disposal at the nearby Roe Creek landfill. When the local sheriff suggested they not enter Roe Creek without a gun, Colvin got deputized and started carrying one.

Audubon magazine dubbed them “Housewives from Hell,” and the television show Expose featured them in a program about the influence of organized crime in the garbage business.

Wallace graduated from Berea College in 1952 with a degree in home economics, and another proud moment was when the Berea College Magazine featured her on its cover in 2002 for her activism.

On more than one occasion, Wallace has answered the question of why she became an activist in this way: “Because I am responsible and answerable to God for the things that are within my power to change, even if only by the way I live and speak out when I see a wrong.

“Because there are many other children and adults who have no one to speak for them.

“Because I agree with two-thirds of the state who favor clean air and water.

“Because there are alternatives to the problems of this dispose-all society.”

Perhaps Wallace’s biggest goal was to end mountaintop removal.

“To me, the most beautiful areas are these little hollows with the rhododendron, the hemlock, the rocks. I love to discover a place like that … and to think that we can just cover that up and destroy it all.

It just makes me sick,” she said.

“The mountains are where I’ve lived all my life.

Saving our mountains is the work that I most care about. We must leave something for our children and grandchildren.”

“I remember that she was energetic toward the cause. I admired her for that,” remembered Sidney Cornett, KFTC chairperson from 1984-86.

Wallace’s activism and deep concern for protecting the environment led to her appointment in 1993 to the Environmental Quality Commission by Gov. Brereton Jones. She was reappointed to a second term

by Gov. Paul Patton.

In 2002 Earth Day ceremonies, Wallace was honored by the Environmental Quality Commission with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

She had received a similar Lifetime Achievement Award from KFTC in 1997.

Another honor was being one of the dedicatees of Wendell Berry’s 2015 book of essays, “Our Only World.”

Patty Wallace and Ruth Colvin at KFTC’s 30th anniversary party in 2011.

“For years I have worked to make Kentucky a better place, especially one with a clean and healthy environment,” wrote Wallace in a 2005 letter to KFTC members. “I’ve been in the thick of battles against landfill operators illegally bringing asbestos into our county.

I’ve fought oil and gas drillers who thought our streams existed to give them a place to dump their pollution.

My community challenged and kept out hazardous waste operators who had a history of leaving Superfund sites in other communities. We butted heads with the logging industry and managed to win a bill that at least allows minimal protections for our forests.

“Ruth Colvin, my niece, and I had some interesting times together … appearing on Expose, Earth Journal, Audubon Magazine and AARP magazine.

Not because we were officials or especially smart but because we, like others in our state, would not let ourselves be overrun by the Mafia or anyone else who thinks we are not too smart.

“I have met the nicest people through these years, many of them well-known and many who should be well known because of their good sense, their love of the land and their willingness to stand up and fight for it.

“And, we always had fun … I loved my award at the 1989 KFTC picnic, the Hysterical Housewife Award for knowing how to cook up trouble wherever she goes and knowing how to bake award-winning recipes."

In 2005, she called KFTC “the most important organization I’ve ever belonged to. I’ve learned so much and met the best people. I wouldn’t take anything for my years with KFTC.” “Thanks to KFTC, our voices will be heard …we have learned that we can make a difference.”

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 5

2017 General Assembly

Voting Rights bills filed – SB 69 and HB 170 Legislation to restore voting rights to many former felons is now before the Kentucky General Assembly.

Senate Bill 69, sponsored by Rep. Gerald Neal of Louisville, and House Bill 170, sponsored by Rep. Darryl Owens of Louisville and others, now await committee hearings.

In the past 10 legislative sessions, voting rights bills passed the Democratic-controlled House by large bipartisan margins, only to be killed by Republican Senate leaders.

The new House Speaker, Republican Jeff Hoover, has been a cosponsor and vocal supporter in the past of restoring voting rights to former felons. He has not publicly stated his plans, if any, for House Bill 170.

More than 300,000 Kentuckians (9% of the voting population) cannot vote because of felon disenfranchisement.

KFTC members met with bill sponsors Neal and Owens in early February to discuss strategy for winning passage of these bills, as well as other bills to make voting more accessible. KFTC’s Voter Engagement Strategy Team also is keeping an eye out for bills designed to suppress voting, especially among already marginalized voters.

Here are some upcoming lobby days with KFTC and ally groups • Tuesday, February 7 – General Assembly reconvenes; join KFTC's Stand For Kentucky presence at the capitol, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Info here: www.kftc.org/stand-for-kentucky • Tuesday, February 7 (and every Tuesday) – Kentucky Council of Churches Prayer in Action focused on Justice Reform/Restorative Justice, 9:30 a.m. in the Capitol Annex Room 111. Info: http://bit.ly/2kjdMzI • Tuesday, February 7 – Also at the capitol this day are the National Alliance on Mental Illness for a rally at 11 a.m. (rotunda), and AFSCME and UFCW for a lobby day.

• Wednesday, February 8 – Gov. Bevin’s State of the Commonwealth address, 7 p.m. Contact a KFTC organizer to see if there’s a watch party in your community.

• Tuesday, February 14 – Kentucky Council of Churches Prayer in Action focused on Gun Violence, 9:30 a.m. in the Capitol Annex Room 131.

• Tuesday, February 14 – Planned Parenthood Advocates and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky rally for reproductive health care.

Register: http://tinyurl.com/IHeartReproRights • Wednesday, February 15 – Fairness Lobby Day and Rally, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (lobbying in the morning, rally in capitol rotunda at 1:30). Info: www.kftc.org/events/fairness-lobby-day-rally • Thursday, February 16 – Refugees and Immigrants Day at the capitol, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (lobbying

in the morning, program and press conference at 1 p.m. in Annex Room 125); registration: http:// svy.mk/2kj9310 • Tuesday, February 21 – Kentucky Council of Churches Prayer in Action focused on Health Care and Disabilities, 9:30 a.m., Capitol Annex Room 129 • Wednesday, February 22 – United 874K Coalition Lobby Day and Rally, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (lobbying in the morning, rally in the capitol rotunda at 1 p.m.); info: http://bit.ly/2jNuGn1 • Tuesday, February 28 – Kentucky Council of Churches Prayer in Action focused on the Death Penalty, 9:30 a.m. in the Capitol Annex Room 171 • Tuesday, March 7 – Kentucky Council of Churches Prayer in Action focused on Energy and the Environment, 9:30 a.m. in the Capitol

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

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2017 General Assembly

KFTC members stand in solidarity with workers KFTC members spent the first week of January turning out in support of workers as they fought against three Republican bills designed to disempower workers and drive down wages.

The biggest public demonstration against what the governor and legislative leaders were up to came on Saturday, January 7, as thousands of workers and supporters rallied in the capitol rotunda and the halls of the capitol.

Workers also turned out en masse during the week as the House and Senate rushed through the three anti-labor bills.

“It was incredible and exciting to see so many people gathered together, standing up for each other and all the people in their communities,” said Jeanie Smith of Bowling Green after the Saturday rally. “But I was also really angry that so many legislators could sit behind closed doors and not have to look these hard-working folks in the eye. In fact, that is what motivated me to try to get louder and closer to the

doors.”

Smith led ralliers from the rotunda to march through the second and third floors of the capitol as legislators met in their chambers to give final passage to these bills. Legislative allies inside tweeted out that the rally could be heard once it moved closer to the legislative chambers.

“Today was the most encouraging thing I’ve seen in 10 years. You had people who were committed.

They were angry. And the commitment and anger is something we can build on,” said Jeff Hampton, who attended with a delegation from KFTC’s Northern Kentucky Chapter. “We made legislators afraid of us, and we need to keep them afraid of us.”

“It was a great day. It shows a lot of people concerned about their lives,” added northern Kentucky member John Morawitz. “The powers that be want cheap labor, to bust unions up. It’s going to be hard for a lot of people. We have to figure how we resist and organize.”

The three anti-labor bills passed by the Republican-controlled House and Senate were: House Bill 1 – to allow workers in a union shop to benefit from the union-negotiated contract without being a member of the union or supporting it through dues (labeled “right to work” – see more about this on page 7);

Workers filled all three floors of the capitol building at their January 7 rally.

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

Instagram

@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

Jeanie Smith’s Facebook Live video brought thousands of viewers into the halls of the capitol in solidarity with workers.

House Bill 3 – to remove the requirement that contractors for local government projects pay the local prevailing wage. The result of this is that contractors who pay good wages and offer better benefits – ones that are more likely union – are at a competitive disadvantage when it comes to bidding for contracts.

Senate Bill 6 – to prohibit unions from using for political activities general funds to which union membership dues have been paid.

All three bills passed largely along party lines, and Gov. Matt Bevin was quick to sign them into law.

To further spite workers, Republican leaders added emergency clauses to the bills, meaning they go into effect immediately upon the governor’s signature rather than the normal 90 days after the session adjourns, when most bills go into effect.

During the labor rally, Smith broadcast a Facebook Live video on KFTC’s page that reached 66,000 people and had 23,000 views.

“I had no idea our live Facebook video would be seen by so many people,” Smith said later. “Sometimes being the ‘blue dot in a red state’ can feel isolating and lonely. The video has opened conversations for me without me having to feel like I'm out on a limb.

“Several people at work, church, and other places mentioned it and we discussed the legislation. These conversations would not have happened without that video.

“I think that is what is going to help create change in Kentucky. We are helping to shape the conversation because now at least my colleagues and friends know someone who is on the other side of the legislators. So when they hear the sound bites from the local news coverage, they know there is more to the story.”

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 7

2017 General Assembly

The racist roots of 'right to work' laws "Right-to-work" laws have their roots in extreme pro-segregationist and anticommunist elements in the 1940s South Excerpts from an article by Chris Kromm in “Facing South,” the online magazine of the Institute for Southern Studies, December 13, 2012 The history of anti-labor “right-to-work” laws starts in Houston. It was there in 1936 that Vance Muse, an oil industry lobbyist, founded the Christian American Association with backing from Southern oil companies and industrialists from the Northeast.

As Dartmouth sociologist Marc Dixon notes in his fascinating history of the period, “The Christian American Association was the first in the nation to champion the ‘Right-to-Work’ as a full-blown political slogan.”

Muse was a fixture in far-right politics in the South before settling into his anti-labor crusade. [His] causes included opposing women’s suffrage, child labor laws, integration and growing efforts to change the Southern political order, as represented in the threat of Roosevelt’s New Deal.

Muse’s sister and associate at the Christian American Association, Ida Darden, openly complained about the First Lady's “Eleanor Clubs,” saying they stood for “$15 a week salary for all nig_ _ _ house help, Sundays off, no washing, and no cleaning upstairs.” As an afterthought, she added, “My n_ _ _ _ _ maid wouldn’t dare sit down in the same room with me unless she sat on the floor at my feet!”

Allowing herself to go still further, she went on to say, “Christian Americans can’t afford to be anti-Semitic, but we know where we stand on the Jews, all right.”

The Association also suspected Catholics – which Dixon notes caused the downfall of their crusades in neighboring Louisiana.

But for far-right conservatives like Muse, as well as industry groups like the Southern States Industrial Council, labor – including black labor – posed an especially dangerous threat in Texas. Thanks to a burgeoning wartime economy, along with labor organizing drives spearheaded by the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and, to a lesser extent, the American Federation of Labor, unions were rapidly growing in Texas. After hovering around 10 percent of the workforce during the 1930s, union membership exploded by 225 percent during the next decade.

Muse and the Christian American Association

saw danger. Not only were the unions expanding the bargaining power – and therefore improving the wages and working conditions – of working-class Texans, they also constituted a political threat. The CIO in particular opposed Jim Crow and demanded an end to segregation. Unions were an important political ally to FDR and the New Deal. And always lurking in the shadows was the prospect of a Red Menace, stoked by anti-communist hysteria.

Working in concert with segregationists and rightwing business leaders, Muse and the Association swiftly took action. Their first step in 1941 was to push an “anti-violence” bill that placed blanket restrictions on public union picketing at workplaces. The stated goal was to ensure “uninterrupted” industrial production during World War II, although Texas had the fewest number of strikes in the South, and the law applied to all industries, war-related or not.

Their success with the “anti-violence” bill spurred Muse and the Christian American Association to push for – and pass – similar laws throughout the South.

Mississippi adopted an anti-violence statute in 1942; Florida, Arkansas, and Alabama passed similar laws in 1943. It also emboldened them to take on a much bigger prize: ending the ability of labor groups to run a “closed shop,” where union benefits extend only to union members.

In 1945, the Christian American Association – along with allies cemented in earlier anti-union legislative battles, including the Fight for Free Enterprise and the vehemently anti-union Texas Lt. Gov. John Lee Smith – introduced a right-to-work bill in Texas. It passed the House by a 60 to 53 margin, but pro-New Deal forces stopped it in the state senate. Two years later, thanks to a well-funded campaign from the Association and industry – and internal divisions between the craft-oriented AFL and the more militant CIO – Texas’ right-to-work bill was signed into law.

While working to pass right-to-work legislation in Texas, Muse and the Association took their efforts to Arkansas and Florida, where a similar message equating union growth with race-mixing and communism led to the passage of the nation's first right-to-work laws in 1944. In all, 14 states passed such legislation by 1947, when conservatives in Congress successfully passed Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act, enshrining the right of states to pass laws that allow workers to receive union benefits without joining a union.

Civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., who saw an alliance with labor as crucial to advancing

KFTC members joined labor organizations, workers and their allies for a large pro-labor rally on January 7 in the state capitol. While workers were outside, House and Senate Republicans completed the passage of three anti-worker bills, including “right to work.”

civil rights as well as economic justice for all workers, spoke out against right-to-work laws; this 1961 statement by King was widely circulated during Michigan's recent labor battles: In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as ‘right to work.’ It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and job rights. Its purpose is to destroy labor unions and the freedom of collective bargaining by which unions have improved wages and working conditions of everyone …Wherever these laws have been passed, wages are lower, job opportunities are fewer and there are no civil rights.

Interestingly, 11 years later, Kansas also passed a right-to-work law, with the support of Texas-born energy businessman Fred Koch, who also viewed unions as vessels for communism and integration. Koch’s sons Charles and David went on to form the Tea Party group Americans for Prosperity, which pushed for the Michigan right-to-work measure, and is now advocating for states that already have such laws, like North Carolina and Virginia, to further enshrine them in their state constitutions.

And what about Muse? According to the Texas State Historical Association Muse died on October 15, 1950, at his Houston home, where his efforts with the Christian Americans had originated. At the time of his death he was working on a right-to-work amendment to the federal Constitution.

1 "Southern Exposure," Stetson Kennedy, 1946

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

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Economic Justice

Protecting health care fight shifts to national focus Efforts to protect health care for all people have focused on Washington, D.C. as President Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell and other Republicans go about dismantling the Affordable Care Act. Congress already passed one budgetary provision, and Trump has signed an executive order to begin the process. Those actions were aimed at taking away health care for millions of people in the U.S. The question still to be decided is if Trump and the Republican Congress will do away completely with the ACA, as many in the party want to do, or replace it with another plan.

During the Obama administration the Republican House voted dozens of times to repeal the ACA. But public outcry, and the realization of how many people (voters) would be impacted, has prompted some to start talking of a replacement for the ACA. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has introduced such a “replacement” bill.

According to The Hill, Paul’s plan would create a tax credit of up to $5,000 per person to use as part of a Health Savings Account to pay for medical care.

The plan would abolish many of the central elements of the ACA, including the mandate that everyone has coverage. It would eliminate the minimum standards for which health services insurance plans must cover.

It also would eliminate some protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

Kentucky Voices for Health is asking Kentuckians to contact Paul to let him know this plan would be devastating for Kentuckians. “We need more affordable coverage, better benefits and stronger protections for ALL Kentuckians” is the message suggested by KVH.

Call Senator Rand Paul DC Office 202-224-4343 Bowling Green Office 270-782-8303 Crescent Springs Office 859-426-0165 Louisville Office 502-582-5341 Owensboro Office 270-689-9085 Hopkinsville Office 270-885-1212 Lexington Office 859-219-2239

Use march fervor to engage in other social-justice fights

By Laura Greenfield The Women’s March on Washington solidarity march in Lexington was inter-generational, peaceful and kid-friendly. The weather was great, and people came from cities all over Kentucky. Turnout estimates are in the thousands, more than any I’ve heard or seen at a protest in Lexington.

What made this march different from others?

I began thinking about the MLK Day march, the marches for racial justice and the protests against the perpetuation of racist imagery at Cheapside. Why was this women’s solidarity march greater in attendance and held so much more citywide excitement?

White women may feel that these other marches don’t apply to us. We may feel they are important, but we do not make the time in our schedules or the same impassioned Facebook posts for these protests.

For Saturday’s march, we showed up because we experience sexism daily and it hurts. We are victims of sexual assault and are made to feel powerless. The government is limiting our reproductive rights and we are outraged.

These are legitimate reasons to protest and raise our voices together. However, we are not as strong as we think we are. For us to show up on Saturday but not ask ourselves why we are absent at the protests for racial justice undermines our movement.

It keeps our conversations only about us, even if that is not what we are intending. If we are absent at the marches and organizations which actually fight for justice for our sisters of color, our words ring hollow, however loud they may have sounded to us.

So, again, what made this march different? It was different because we haven’t realized that the system which is limiting our bodily autonomy is the very same system which has always oppressed people of color.

It is the same system which resulted in 53 percent of white women voting for Donald Trump, as opposed to the 94 percent of black women and 68 percent of Latina women who voted for Clinton. We need to ask why.

When we feel the rage at a male senator dictating choices we can make while pregnant, there should also be rage against the system which oppresses our sisters of color, discriminates against and criminalizes their families and produces a necessity for them to fight for justice in many dimensions in their daily lives — not just on a Saturday in January.

Fighting for reproductive rights and women’s health rights is inextricably linked to the fights for racial justice (such as Black Lives Matter and Taking Back Cheapside), fights for opportunity for children and families of immigrants (such as supporting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals bill), indigenous and Native American rights (such as the Dakota Access Pipeline fight), and the fight for transgender rights.

Saturday showed us that we are motivated and we are many. But we are only as strong as our entire communities, only as strong as when we are “intersectional feminists,” meaning we are inclusive and supportive of all women, recognizing that, historically, “feminism” has left people behind.

So what can we do?

We can put all the anger and energy we felt Saturday into support for the other protests and movements which, really, aren’t so “other” at all.

Let’s attend a meeting of the Lexington chapter of Showing Up for Racial Justice. Let’s listen to the speeches and read the writings of people of color to better understand.

Let’s begin the process of unlearning harmful racial bias by recognizing it and rejecting it. Let’s talk about this and become stronger in doing so.

Laura Greenfield, a farmer in Paris, is a member of KFTC. Her reflections appeared in the Lexington HeraldLeader on January 23; www.kentucky.com/opinion/op-ed/article128278744.htm

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 9

Economic Justice

Republican tax changes likely delayed to special session The 2017 Kentucky General Assembly opened with the Republican majorities steamrolling through many of their priority bills. There are many other priorities legislators and the governor have expressed intentions of passing before the assembly adjourns in March, but one issue that is absent from these conversations is one that Kentucky officials from all parties have been talking about for years: tax reform.

Kentucky’s current tax code asks more of lower and middle class earners but rewards the wealthiest taxpayers with a dizzying assortment of exemptions, giveaways and caps that literally give away more than they take in.

Kentucky gives away $12 billion annually in these “tax expenditures,” compared to $10 billion in taxes collected. This is just one of the ways our tax code fails the majority of Kentuckians.

Sister Mary Joyce Moeller, a KFTC member in Campbell County and a member of KFTC’s Economic Justice Committee, knows the personal impacts of Kentucky’s inadequate tax code.

“I have lived and worked many years among people living in substandard housing, without available or adequate paying jobs, without good educational opportunities for their children, basic health care, or services for the elderly and those with special needs,” Moeller explained. “Over the years I saw the awful results in their lives because of cuts in public services, including school services, which they had depended upon.

“Without a more progressive tax system to bring in lots more revenue to provide job training, better and more affordable education, and adequate public services, Kentucky will continue to fail, not only

these, but all its citizens.”

Republican legislative leaders are working with Governor Matt Bevin toward a special legislative session in the summer to make sweeping changes to our tax code. Their statements show their intent to increase consumption taxes, such as the sales tax, and lower taxes on wealth and income.

Bevin has been meeting with Art Laffer, an economist who has advised Presidents Nixon and Reagan on their tax policies and has more recently crafted the failed tax reforms in Kansas.

The Kansas “reform” involved a plan to reduce personal and corporate rates over five successive years and eventually to eliminate them. These reductions, the Kansas governor and Republican legislators argued, would free up so much money for new investments by corporations and businesses that rapid economic expansion would follow.

They said the state would explode with so many new jobs and so many businesses would flock to the state that the tax reductions would soon be exceeded by the new revenue flooding in through sales and other consumption taxes.

Did their promises come true? Because of these “reforms,” Kansas currently has the worst private job growth rates in the nation, is actively in a recession, and has cut funding to almost every state-sponsored program, service and department.

David Shroyer, a member in Madison County and a member of KFTC’s Economic Justice Committee, is afraid that in Kentucky, middle- and lowerincome residents would be forced to pay even more taxes while the richest would pay even less under such a “reform.”

As a result, Kentuckians could experience a continuing decline in funding for the things necessary to improve the lives of children, the elderly and other ordinary Kentuckians. Given the fact that the current tax structure barely covers the costs of the currently inadequate level of

education, infrastructure spending, social services and environmental protections, the governor’s ideas for intentionally reducing tax revenue even more, if enacted, would bring about an even greater calamity than occurred in Kansas.

Members of KFTC’s Economic Justice Committee say they refuse to let this happen. They have been working with the Kentucky Together Initiative to create and launch a campaign to oppose the kinds of disastrous tax reforms that likely will be proposed for a special session.

The Kentucky Together Initiative is made up of more than 35 organizations committed to making sure Kentucky’s legislators choose public services that benefit all Kentuckians instead of more tax breaks for the wealthy and powerful. Victory will be stopping a harmful tax bill, and also creating a better conversation about what true reforms are needed to create a tax system that is fair, adequate and promotes the well-being of all Kentuckians.

This will require effectively mobilizing allies, grassroots residents and civic leaders. It’s an opportunity for stopping the Republican steamroller in the General Assembly. If successful, it could create the space necessary to win on other campaigns in the 2018 General Assembly.

If interested in getting involved and joining the campaign: • • •

•

Reach out to Tyler Offerman, KFTC’s Tax Justice Organizer – 859-276-0563 or tyler@kftc.org Join planning calls: KFTC’s Economic Justice Committee talks every other Wednesday at 7 p.m. EST. Come to the in-person planning meeting: KFTC’s Economic Justice Committee will meet on March 4 in Lexington to plan and strategize around this campaign and other important economic justice issues.

Reach out to your legislator (visit http://bit. ly/1EUw0bL to find your legislator): they need to hear from you! Call their office, write them letters, send them emails, or lobby with KFTC in Frankfort and at home, saying you oppose any tax reform that chooses more tax breaks for the wealthy and powerful over investments in our communities.

10 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Just Transition Update

Congress fails to pass legislation needed for coal miners acknowledged the hard regard the promise the federal government made to work and leadership of miners, and to press for a permanent fix for both coal communities and health care and pension funds in 2017. grassroots leaders.

“Our coal communities need assistance as they tirelessly work at the grassroots level to revitalMiners Protection Act: The original version ize, diversify and rebuild,” of the Miners Protection Act has already Rogers said. “I remain been introduced, with bipartisan support in committed to passing this the U.S. House and Senate. This legislation legislation, and it will be is supported by the United Mine Workers of a top priority of mine to America. revisit this vital bill when the new Congress conOn the same day that the bipartisan group venes next year.” of 20 senators introduced their bill, Mc K F TC m e m b e r s , Connell introduced his own competing bill too, remain committed called Helping Ensure Long-term Protecand will fight hard to tion (HELP) for Coal Miner Health Care support their communiAct that would provide a permanent fix for ties by fighting for the From left, Eric Dixon, Katie Dollarhide and Brad Shepherd of Whitesburg health care benefits crisis for mines. But RECLAIM Act in 2017. deliver signatures in support of the RECLAIM Act and the Miners Protecunlike the Miners Protection Act, it does The bill is expected to be tion Act to Senator Mitch McConnell’s London office. not address pensions. reintroduced by Rogers in the House and others in In 2016, KFTC members worked hard to pass RECLAIM Act: The bill has not been inthe RECLAIM Act and the Miners Protection Act. the Senate early in the Congressional session. troduced, but both representatives and The bills made progress, but didn’t pass in the last Congress adjourned in December with a bitter senators are working behind the scenes Congress. The campaigns continue in the new con- fight over the Miners Protection Act. Democratic to finalize language and garner bipartisan senators threatened a government shutdown if the gressional session. sponsorship for introduction very soon.

The RECLAIM Act, a bill that would bring a bill did not pass. At the last minute, Senator Mitch billion dollars to struggling coal communities to McConnell guided through a weakened bill that proclean up abandoned mines and create jobs, was not vided only short-term included in the last-minute negotiations before Con- relief for the health care funding crisis, gress wrapped up in December.

The Act was introduced by U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers not a permanent one of Kentucky and has broad bipartisan support among as the original bill called for. And it did lawmakers and people across Appalachia.

The Miners Protection Act, a bill to protect not address the penhealth care coverage and pensions for retired mine sions at all. workers and their families also was not included in McConnell was last-minute Congressional negotiations. Only a weak instrumental in weaktemporary measure that protects miners’ health care ening the bill, but did coverage, but not their pensions, until the end of not hesitate to take credit for “rescuing” April was approved.

Media reports laid the blame at Senate Republi- miners’ health care. cans “who are wary of bailing out unionized workers.” KFTC members Even with the disappointment of the legislation not will continue to hold Here are Central Kentucky members (from left) Courtney Banschbach, passing, there is much to be proud of, including the McConnell account- Brandon Jent, Sarah Bowling, Gary Bentley and Richard Burdsal delivering fact that KFTC voices were heard. In his statement able for his political petitions in support of the RECLAIM Act and the Miners Protection Act to on the failure of the RECLAIM Act to pass, Rogers maneuvers that dis- Senator McConnell’s Lexington office before meeting with a staff member.

Status of the bills

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 11

Just Transition Update

KFTC members deliver 10,000 signatures to McConnell During the last week of the Congressional session, KFTC ramped up public pressure and engaged KFTC members all across the state in taking action.

Here’s what members did: During the week of December 5, 2016, dozens of Kentuckians took action at seven of Mitch McConnell’s offices – his six district offices in Kentucky and his Washington, D.C. office – demanding that he support the RECLAIM Act and the Miners Protection Act. At least 35 people were involved in delivering 10,000 petition signatures to each office in support of the legislation. They asked to talk directly with Senator McConnell before Congress adjourned on December 9, but in every case were denied.

Each group of KFTC members chronicled the delivery of the petitions through Facebook Live broadcasts for a total of 15 broadcasts, beginning with eastern Kentuckians traveling from Whitesburg to London on Monday, December 5. The signatures were delivered to his Washington office the following day.

The week culminated in a day of rolling actions on Thursday. KFTC members showed up in person to drop off petitions at all five of McConnell’s remaining offices in Lexington, Bowling Green, Louisville, Ft. Wright and Paducah.

At the end of the day, after members still had received no response from McConnell, former underground coal miner Gary Bentley returned to McConnell’s Lexington office to make a statement about the importance of the RECLAIM Act and the Miners Protection Act. To illustrate that Kentuckians were fighting hard and hunting all over the state for leadership from McConnell to support coal miners and coal communities and had yet to find that leadership, Bentley brought along his hound dog Molly. The message played on McConnell’s own 1984 Senate Former underground coal miner Gary Bentley and Molly the campaign ads in which hound dogs hound dog are on the hunt for leadership from Senator Mitch were hunting for his opponent, an McConnell on the RECLAIM Act and Miners Protection Act outside incumbent senator.

McConnell’s Lexington office on December 8.

Bentley and Molly participated in a Facebook Live broadcast that reached more than 1,300 of the 10,000 signatures were from Kentucky, 8,000 people and has had more than 2,800 views. perhaps failing to realize that the legislation would One of those views came from McConnell’s field help miners all over the country. That complaint is representative in the northern Kentucky office, who actually inspiring – McConnell is paying attention to reached out to Bentley, asking him what his message KFTC’s work and speaking to it. for McConnell was and stating that he would deliver KFTC members feel they are in a great position it directly to McConnell (albeit after Congress had to organize, work with allies and apply pressure for adjourned for the year). passing the bills in 2017.

A fter this week of action and lots of media attention, McConnell Call Senator Mitch McConnell claimed credit for allowing the Miners Protection DC Office 202-224-2541 Act through the legislaPaducah Office 270-442-4554 tive process with only the Louisville Office 502-582-6304 weakest of language. He London Office

606-864-2026 felt put on notice enough Bowling Green Office

270-781-1673

by KFTC’s work that he Fort Wright Office 859-578-0188 published an op-ed in the Lexington Office 859-224-8286 Lexington Herald-Leader in December to defend himself. Bentley’s op-ed Email him: www.mcconnell.senate.gov/ response was published a public/index.cfm/contactform week later. (Go to: www. kentucky.com/opinion/ Write him a letter and deliver it to one of op-ed/article121431872. his offices. If the office is locked during Northern Kentucky KFTC members (from left) Roberta Campbell, Dana html) normal business hours, tape your letter Kuhnline, Serena Owen, Virginia Johnson and Mary Joyce Moeller were out Also in December, to the door, take a picture and share it on looking for Mitch McConnell in December as they delivered petitions to his McConnell’s spokesperson social media.

Ft. Wright office. They wanted him to listen to Kentuckians and protect complained that “only” health care and pensions for coal miners.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

12 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC’s environmental justice mapping shows areas most impacted by pollution, inequality As KFTC members work to design a new, clean energy system for Kentucky, they are putting principles of environmental justice and health equity at the front and center of the process and plan.

Developing an Environmental Justice Analysis is one important step they are taking to better understand which communities in the state are most affected by pollution, poor health, economic inequality and racial injustice.

“I see a day when all of us have equal access to conditions that make us healthy,” explained member Nancy Reinhart during a presentation this fall at the Empower Kentucky Summit. “Our families are worth it. Our kids are worth it. Our future is worth it. And we are going to get there.”

For the past six months, Reinhart and others on KFTC's Environmental Justice Work Team – made up of about a dozen KFTC members from diverse backgrounds and regions of Kentucky – have been digging into data about health and pollution in Kentucky.

With the skillful help of Laura Greenfield, a KFTC member and cartographer, the team has produced a

preliminary report and set of maps.

As Greenfield pointed out in a workshop at the summit, “Inequality is spatial. These types of maps can help us hone in on areas that are overburdened and see relationships between different factors that are impacting communities.”

Greenfield, who graduated from the University of Kentucky in May with a degree in geography, stresses the importance of this type of analysis.

“A clean energy movement needs to prioritize justice. This analysis is KFTC’s challenge to ourselves as an organization to do just that. It can help us answer two key questions: Where should resources and pollution reduction be directed, and do the most vulnerable communities in our state have a seat at the table in the decision-making process?”

The maps on this page and the next are examples of several early products of the team’s work.

KFTC’s analysis is a work in progress. A final version of KFTC’s Economic and Environmental Justice Analysis will be issued as part of KFTC’s Empower Kentucky Plan in April.

While these maps begin to tell an important story about how pollution and poor health are distributed across the state, they are also incomplete. Public feedback is welcome, and where possible, the team will continue to update these maps with additional data.

In some cases, quantifiable data may not be available for important factors. For example, the health map does not include data on mental health, even though many people living in frontline communities experience poor mental health related to the stress of living in heavily polluted areas. In situations where good data is not available, the Environmental Justice analysis will seek to lift up stories and images that help tell a more complete story.

Community leader Eboni Cochran powerfully described that concern during a workshop at the Empower Kentucky Summit. As she explained, “In this work, when we talk about health, we most often talk about the physical health. But there’s an emotional and mental health cost, too. When you come home from work and all you want to do is be with your family.

And you get home and you smell this toxic odor that you know is dangerous. And all you want to do is take care of your family, and you’re trying to keep your kids safe. There’s a constant stress on our families.” ******

This image includes data for a dozen pollution indicators and six demographic factors, including race, poverty and unemployment. The areas that show up as red or orange have the highest intensity across all of the pollution and demographic indicators. Pollution factors examined include: proximity to active surface and deep coal mines, coal haul roads, and coal ash impoundments; measured levels of ozone, particulate matter, and lead exposure; proximity to permitted sites for hazardous waste disposal; waste disposal facilities, water pollution discharge sites, and sites on the National Priorities List; and sites with Risk Management Plans. This analysis will eventually be updated to include proximity to oil and gas drilling and additional factors.

KFTC’s Environmental Justice Work Team began its work in June 2016 as part of KFTC’s broader effort to shape a people’s energy plan for Kentucky. At the group’s first meeting, KFTC intern Ian Jaffe explained how the U.S. EPA defines Environmental Justice.

According to the agency, “Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income, with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.”

The EPA’s Clean Power Plan strongly encourages, but does not require, states to do an Environmental Justice analysis to identify vulnerable communities (not defined) that are most affected by existing sources of pollution as part of each state’s planning process.

The agency developed a tool, called Environmental Justice Screen, which provides lots of important data that states or anyone else can use.

But there is no single recipe or set of agreed upon steps for an Environmental Justice analysis. And the continued on BTS page 13

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 13

Environmental justice mapping shows areas most impacted … energy and energy efficiency).

• We want to make our data publicly accessible and make the maps as interactive as possible.

be sent to Lisa Abbott at lisa@kftc.org.

In reflecting on what has been learned so far through this process, Greenfield stressed the value of this type of information for shaping public understanding and decisions.

“Cumulative pollution and health problems exist in both rural and urban areas of our state and are sourced from many different aspects of our energy and waste systems. It’s a complex issue, and that makes it difficult to analyze.

“This preliminary work highlights those complexities, and there is still a long way to go. But the most important thing we can do is to share the complexities as we learn about them.”

Greenfield concluded, “We should state very loudly and clearly that there is environmental injustice in our state, that the people most affected (people of color, low-income persons) have been aware and suffering for too long, and there are steps we want our government to do about it.”

• We will work to identify key research questions and indicators that should be considered by us, other stakeholder This map identifies communities with the highest combined score for health conditions that groups, the state, are associated with exposure to pollution. The health indicators examined include: rates of and the EPA as adult and childhood asthma, hypertension, heart-disease death, lung cancer, and premature part of a broader death. Once again, the reddest areas of the map have the highest intensity across all health Environmental and demographic factors.

Justice analysis.

Given the comcontinued from BTS page 12 A new website will be launched in April plexity of this task and limited time and resources, EPA’s tool doesn’t include some important state-spefor the Empower Kentucky Plan, including we recognize that our initial analysis will be both cific data, like the location of abandoned or active coal updated environmental justice data and meaningful and necessarily limited in scope. mines. maps. More information in the next issue of Last June, KFTC’s Environmental Justice work Balancing the Scales. team developed its own set of goals for compiling an A number of those goals and products are still analysis for Kentucky as part of the Empower Ken- under development, including adtucky planning process. They agreed: ditional maps that • We want to analyze a broad set of indicators to will show energy identify communities that should be prioritized sector job losses as part of planning for a just transition to a clean and economic energy economy in Kentucky. insecurity related to • We want to develop an analysis that identifies rising energy rates. communities where key demographic indicators Greenfield (poverty, race, and more) intersect with indicators will help the team in at least three key areas: a) health and pollution create an interacexposure, b) energy sector job losses; and c) eco- tive web map that Kentuckians can nomic insecurity related to rising energy rates. use to examine the • The words we use to frame and describe our data. While that analysis matter. While the EPA uses the words work continues, the “vulnerable communities,” we want to emphasize team is pleased to that – in many cases – these are communities that share these initial stand to benefit from a just transition. maps and products • We intend to use our analysis to shape policies that to be transparent minimize harm and direct benefits to identified and invite public This map pinpoints the location of Kentucky’s existing fleet of coal-burning power plants, most priority communities. (Benefits might include re- feedback. Questions of which are located along the Ohio River on the western and northern spine of Kentucky.

Once again, the red and orange areas are places with the combined scores of cumulative polduced pollution, new jobs, support for ratepayers and comments for and workers, and direct investments in renewable the work team may lution and demographic factors, including poverty and race.

14 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Member Commentary

Chandra Campbell: Looking ahead after a day lobbying

By Chandra Campbell

that things like reproductive rights are something What now? that we’re still fighting for in I’m sure that many of us are asking ourselves just 2017, it was reassuring seethat. In light of the events of 2016, the threats to our ing the sea of pink t-shirts civil liberties are ever-looming in 2017. flocking into the capitol.

I have two answers to the question: The first be- Reproductive rights ing that we neither back down nor give up, and the were far from the only issue on the table. As we met with second being that we stay vigilant.

We spread awareness, we educate our neighbors, elected leaders, we voiced and we hold our elected officials accountable for their our concerns regarding the actions. mandatory ultrasound bill Thursday, January 5, marked my first trip to (House Bill 2), the 20-week Frankfort to lobby as a KFTC member, and to attend abortion ban (Senate Bill the Planned Parenthood rally in the rotunda. I must 5), and the bathroom bill Letcher County KFTC members Chandra Campbell and Tanya Turner (second say that although it was snowing, and although the (House Bill 106), among and third from left) met with three women newly elected to the Kentucky political outlook is currently bleak, I would still con- other things. We had pro- House: McKenzie Cantrell, Angie Hatton and Attica Scott (left to right). sider my experience productive, and look forward to ductive and cordial meetfuture lobbying trips. ings with Representative Angie Hatton (D, District the Benham Schoolhouse Inn. The topic will be the I feel like it’s never been more important that I be 94), Senator Johnny Ray Turner (D, District 29) and benefits of a clean needle exchange program. (Everyinvolved, and I hope that everyone reading this feels Representative Rick Nelson (D, District 87). one is certainly encouraged to attend! kftc.org/events/ as motivated as I do. Grassroots organizations like Although we were met with a lot of “I don't reducing-harm-our-communities) Kentuckians For The Commonwealth are a great way knows” and “probably nots,” one thing we could all After meeting with elected officials, we made our agree on is that initiating a clean needle exchange way to the rotunda to attend the Planned Parentto start.

I personally love seeing people stand up for their program would be an excellent way to combat the hood rally that was hosted by ACLU of Kentucky. rights and the rights of others, and the rally offered spread of HIV and Hepatitis C. We invited the three Although in a perfect world, there would be no need just that. Although it can be frustrating to all of us of them to a public Q&A organized on February 4 at to fight for rights, it’s nice to see so many people brave the winter weather so that they could support Planned Parenthood. It’s never been more important that we maintain this kind of unity.

My overall experience was a great reminder that through organizing and communication, we do have a strong platform.

A lot of the uncertainty and dread that many of us are experiencing is because it’s overwhelming, how especially one-sided the government has become. We change that by getting involved at a local level, and working our way up the ladder. We will find ourselves on the right side of history.

In the meantime, get offended. Be loud. Hold our government to the standard that Kentuckians deserve. We’ve made major strides over the past few decades, but we’re certainly not where we need to be and it will require measures taken by all of us to ensure that we’re not taking steps back.

We can make our voices heard, but we need to More than a dozen folks came to Prestonsburg on January 25 for the Big Sandy chapter's Organizing 101 educate the masses, if we want our voices listened to.

Workshop, where they learned what organizing is, how it's used to make change, and discussed opportu- I'm hopeful that we can accomplish just that in 2017. nities to organize in their community. Floyd County member Tracy Blevins helped facilitate, including an This year likely won’t be easy, but I’m both hopeful and confident that you’re all on-board with us. activity to help illustrate the differences between service, advocacy and organizing.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 15

Local Updates

Berea coalition looking to heal divisions seen in elections

By Corey Bush, Jonah Cabiles and Clara Ann Ruplinger The Berea Intersectional Coalition (BIC) began as a response to perceived threats against marginalized communities, including but not limited to religious (Muslims, Jews, Atheists, etc.), female, national, racial (Black, Latino, Arab, etc.), and non-heteronormative (Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, etc.) minority demographics.

The purpose of this coalition is to provide a social platform for students and community members of Berea to voice their concerns in the face of national division seen in the 2016 presidential and local elections. Berea College students from all walks of life have come together to spearhead this group's consolidation in these efforts, with special interest in creating bridges of communication and direct association with the surrounding community.

The Student Intersectional Coalition (SIC) was created first as a foundational platform of action for students, and the BIC stems from this. Leading by example, the BIC will create change within the Berea community in hopes of inspiring like-minded individuals across the state to begin mobilizing at the grassroots level to ensure the rights of all people in

Kentucky communities.

Current initiatives include a push to create a Sanctuary Campus and Sanctuary City in Berea. The undocumented population of Berea (college and town) are under increased threat of deportation and face a hostile community environment, as there are many voices within the community that regard them as unwanted.

Though most residents of Berea are sympathetic to the struggles of our undocumented community Berea College students are building campus and community coalimembers, there are frequent instanc- tions to address and heal some of the local and national divisions es of intolerance directed towards that were revealed in last year’s electoral campaigns. undocumented people.

Directly after a rally hosted with the BIC, Berea ties and connections between our college and the community members made the following comments broader Berea community. online: “I propose we delay the rally till 21 January so Jonah Cabiles, one of the main organizers for we may invite ICE.” and “I want them to help me un- the BIC and the KFTC Madison County Steering derstand where they think the ‘rights’ of non-citizens Committee representative, credits his experience with organizing and trainings held by KFTC as a main come from.”

While Internet comments are rightfully dis- contributor to his ability to organize within his comregarded in many cases as empty rhetoric, these in munity. particular display the aforementioned hostility which “Thanks to the organizing and lobbying trainings resonates on a national and examples provided by KFTC, I was able to feel level, and show that confident in organizing my fellow student and comfactions of our town munity members in supporting those in marginalized do not believe in un- communities,” Cabiles said. documented people’s As BIC is a coalition, it hopes to continue its most basic rights to work with existing social justice and advocacy groups security and safety, and organizations including KFTC to ensure that its much less to education community organizing efforts can support existing grassroots efforts while addressing issues relevant to and work.

B I C m e m b e r s marginalized communities. As more issues come up believe firmly in the with other marginalized communities, we hope to right to live, work and provide a platform to organize for those issues as well.

All peoples are welcome to stand with us in our receive an education for all individuals re- pursuit of liberation for marginalized peoples, and gardless of race, class, against extra forces that would present a threat to legal status or gender those within our community. We also seek to unite against unhealthy political division that is a regressive orientation.

Additionally, we barrier to the Berea College motto, “All people, one hope to host work- blood,” while still taking into account the modern hisshops and trainings torical context of marginalized communities locally, with the community, nationally and globally. as well as community-bridging meetings The authors are Berea College students and organizers for where we will increase SIC and BIC.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

16 | Balancing the Scales

Local Updates

Northern Kentucky residents march to show unity against hate crimes

The Scott County KFTC Chapter celebrated its annual Arty Pie Party at the Scott County Arts and Cultural Center in Georgetown in November.

The event resulted in more than 20 new members, raised more than $3,000, and featured wonderful local works of art and desserts. Music was provided by Stir Fry Musette. “It wouldn’t be November without the Arty Pie Party!” band members said.

Follow the Scott County chapter’s work on social media – Twitter: @ScottCoKFTC, Facebook.com/scottcounty.kftc/

In recent months, with the rise in hate crimes across the country and the public tone on race, many are engaging anew in the fight against bigotry. This has resulted in many individuals and groups planning actions to stand up to hate wherever it may be seen.

Residents of northern Kentucky organized a march against hate, under the banner “Northern Kentucky Unites!” KFTC members participated in the inaugural event last December, joining more than 250 people to march in support of people of color, religious minorities and the LGBTQ+ community in this difficult environment.

Those attending chanted slogans such as “No Hate in My State” and “Y’all Means All” to show support for a more inclusive Kentucky.

Members also created a local work team around Follow the Northern Kentucky chapter's racial justice at the next chapter meeting, inspired ongoing work on social media – Instagram by the actions at this march, the immigrant rights’ at northernky_KFTC, Twitter: @NKY_KFTC, march in October, and ongoing work KFTC is doing Facebook.com/nky.kftc. across the state.

Scott County members explore many aspects of Dr. King’s work Members of the Scott County chapter participate in yearly events hosted by the local GeorgetownScott County NAACP to honor Martin Luther

King Jr.’s vision and legacy. This included a sold-out breakfast featuring Wilbur Hackett, who was one of the first African American football players at the

University of Kentucky.

Members also attended a meet-and-greet with Dr. Derek King, nephew of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., at the Ed Davis Center before the 2017 MLK Day march in Georgetown. Dr. King was the featured speaker at the annual program following the march.

The march itself had more than 220 participants, with several groups well represented.

Many in attendance were talking about Dr. King’s vision, not just of racial equality, but an intersectional vision of social Roughly 100 people gathered to talk with Dr. Derek King before the annual march in Georgetown to commemorate his late justice that did not leave anyone behind. uncle’s work for racial and economic justice in this country.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 17

Local Updates

Home energy workshop provides hands-on tips for CKY folks

By Mallory Johnson

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Our Home Energy Workshop on December 7 was a space for diverse members of our community to come together and learn hands-on energy saving tips to take into their own home this winter!

The technical portion of the workshop was led

by Chris Woolery, with assistance from Rachel Norton, both of the How$martKY program, a residential energy efficiency initiative run by the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED).

Woolery led the workshop, sharing his years of experience implementing energy efficiency measures in homes and apartments. After a brief presentation, participants moved through four stations throughout Embrace Church, our host site. These stations provided opportunities for attendees to receive hands-on experience with some of the techniques they can apply to their own home.

They included: duct sealing; air sealing; insulating and sealing attic access points; and a station reviewing how to install the items in the energy efficiency kits that each participant received. Representatives from the Community Action Council and Kentucky Utilities were also on hand to discuss weatherization offerings they have through their “We Care” program.

Because of the hands-on aspect of the workshop, participants helped the good folks of Embrace Church weatherize their building. This will help increase

comfort this winter and save the church money, which can then be redirected into their community outreach programs.

With help from our friends at the Central Kentucky chapter of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, we were able to survey residents on the North Side and East End neighborhoods and recruit 25 individuals to the workshop. The neighborhood surrounding Embrace Church includes many Spanishand English-speaking families.

Because of this, we decided to offer this workshop in both languages, which was a huge success due to the translation and interpretation help received from Jennifer Hubbard-Sanchez of Kentucky State University.

At the end of the workshop, each attendee received a free energy efficiency starter kit, which we were able to provide through a generous mini-grant from the Blue Grass Community Foundation in partnership with the Kresge Foundation. Each kit included a power strip, four LED light bulbs, a swivel kitchen aerator and a bathroom aerator, a low-flow shower head, as well as a caulk gun and two tubes of caulk.

We are so very thankful for all of our partnerships that helped this night to be as successful as it was. We also want to thank everyone again who were a part of making this night a success and most importantly providing our community with the resources they need to live more comfortably in their homes!

“Small energy efficiency improvements can make huge impacts on people’s lives,” said Woolery. “They

don’t just save energy and money; they create homes that are healthier and more comfortable. Most folks can do a lot of these improvements themselves; they just don’t know where to start. That’s why workshops like these are so important.”

Mallory Johnson is the AmeriCorps VISTA worker with the Bluegrass GreenSource. This piece is from the Bluegrass GreenSource blog.

Workshop attendees received a free energy efficiency starter kit so they could immediately apply energy-savings tips when they got home.

Power to the People radio shows produced by KFTC Central Kentucky chapter members are archived on iTunes (search for “KFTC Power to the People”) and on SoundCloud at: https://soundcloud.com/beth-howard-182830031.

Recent podcasts: December: Post Election – What Now? November: Turn Out for What?

October: Voter Empowerment September: 35 Years of Action for Justice! or listen live Tuesdays at 3 p.m.

WLXU - 93.9 FM Livestreaming at: www.lexingtoncommunityradio.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

18 | Balancing the Scales

Local Updates

CKY chapter kicks off new year with resistance training The Central Kentucky KFTC chapter devoted its January meeting to focus on training members on resistance tactics. Approximately 50 people attended.

“It feels really frustrating when we find ourselves in an uphill battle with our legislature. But it’s important to remember that this didn’t happen overnight,” said chapter member Meredith Wadlington, who stepped in as co-facilitator. “All we can do is look forward.

“I saw folks come together and really think through how to strategize for the next few years in ways that are tangible and effective. This is true grassroots power – when we the people are the ones finding ways to challenge the system.”

The first half of the training focused on concrete tactics everyone can take – as a group and as individuals. Here’s a great list:

Tips and Best Practices for Taking Effective Actions A. Read, learn, listen and share 1. Be aware and thoughtful about our/your privilege 2. Learn from our shared history of resistance 3. Get information from a wide range of sources 4. Share information with your network and community

(meet with them in Frankfort and Washington. But also and especially show up at their events back home).

G. Participate in nonviolent direct actions, including permitted actions (rallies, marches) and civil disobedience (sit-ins, occupations, lockdowns, other).

H. Make your voice heard publicly (op-eds, letters to the editor, social media) I. Build community (Books and Breakfast in Louisville, Heinz Breakfast in Lexington, weatherization workshops, reading groups, action circles, etc.)

The second half of the training allowed members to brainstorm in small groups on how to hold elected officials accountable in the central Kentucky area, particularly in the sixth congressional district.

The small groups were encouraged to brainstorm longer-term strategies as opposed to just stand-alone tactics (that it’s not just one of the items on the list above that can make the difference, but using multiple tactics over time that can make an impact and shift power).

“It’s easy to lose hope after an election like this one. But I’m excited about the great turnout at recent chapter meetings, which shows that what we stand for does resonate with many Kentuckians,” said chapter member Matthew Gidcomb. “I’m looking forward to getting to know these new members, and to working with them to build new power for 2018 and beyond.”

The Central Kentucky KFTC Chapter meets every third Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Mission House in Lexington, located on the corner of 4th Street and MLK Blvd. (across from The Living Arts and Science Center).

The chapter plans to pick up this discussion at its February meeting and start working on a concrete plan for central Kentucky.

B. Join and donate and encourage your network to join and donate C. Make calls – often! (followed by emails, petitions, etc.)

D. Talk about racism. Engage the conversation, especially when it’s hard.

E. And talk about sexism. And classism. Islamophobia. LGBT equality. Able-ism. All the isms.

F. Visit your lawmakers – and build/implement a strategy to hold them accountable over time

Thanks

About 50 people attended KFTC’s recent resistance training in Lexington. Large crowds have attended similar trainings in northern Kentucky and at press time were planning to attend trainings in Louisville and Bowling Green.

for being a member or supporter of KFTC. You make the work you read about in Balancing the Scales possible – all 35+ years of it!

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 19

Local Updates

KFTC members gather across the state to see out 2016 and begin the new year with strength Will and Teresa Collins (left), KFTC members since the 1980s, hosted a successful house party in Whitesburg for KFTC in December. Letcher County chapter members took time for a photo (above) after their January chapter meeting.

Lots of family fun at the Southern Kentucky chapter holiday party in December.

Attendees at the January Jefferson County chapter meeting.

Stephanie Devine speaks at the East Kentucky holiday party held in Hindman in December.

Connor Allen, William Morrow and Becky Jones volunteered at a Leonard Cohen tribute benefitting KFTC in December. The tribute to the late musician and poet was organized by Louisville musician Sarah Teeple and held at Headliners Music Hall. The show featured covers of Cohen songs by several Kentucky musicians, including singer-songwriters Joan Shelley, Will Oldham (a.k.a. Bonnie Prince Billy) and Daniel Martin Moore. To see some of the performances, go to: http://bit.ly/2jEDiw5.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

20 | Balancing the Scales

Racial Justice Reflections

My front yard is an insurrection

By Christian Torp “Gentrification” to some is economic development. To others it’s the displacement of long-term residents. To some, an improvement. To others a tragedy.

To some it’s even a public health crisis (Centers for Disease Control, “Health Effects of Gentrification,” March 2015 – https://www.cdc.gov/healthyplaces/ healthtopics/gentrification.htm).

What it really boils down to is a pay-to-play game wherein traditionally disadvantaged communities find themselves the victim of accumulated wealth, which they were legally prohibited from obtaining.

The term “gentrification” was first used by British sociologist Ruth Glass in 1964 to describe the influx of creative young professionals to the then forgotten 17th century London borough Islington. When gentrification begins in a certain locale it is driven less by economics and more by those endowed with a certain cultural capital.

It’s nothing new. Historians point to its occurrence in Ancient Rome and Roman Britain in the 3rd century AD. Like other U.S. cities in the 21st century, Lexington is attractive to and is working to attract younger individuals, those beginning their careers, completing their education and setting off to begin the urban life they’ve dreamed of. An appreciation for older homes and eclectic neighborhoods, environmental awareness and an economic standing characterized less by individual wealth and more by family means defines this cohort.

I do not believe we’d negatively characterize any of these things, as I’m sure that many of us fit this definition to some degree. Yet these are the conditions in which gentrification flourishes.

As Howard Zinn said, “You can’t be neutral on a moving train.” Without a developed race, class and historical analysis, good people making what they believe are the best and most honorable choices they can are causing the problem. Coming from a history in which not only were minorities barred from education and employment, but in which: -Residential segregation reduced home demand, thereby artificially putting a ceiling on the appreciation achieved by homes owned by minorities.

-Historical inequality translated over time through inheritances and family assistance for down payments.

-Unequal wealth distribution, as a result of overt public discrimination, enabled non-black, non-Hispanic families to offer more financial assistance, result-

ing in lower interest rates and lending costs.

-Historical discrimination has resulted in a home ownership rate for white families that is 28.4 percent higher than for AfricanAmericans.

To not act in a deliberately anti-racist way and make choices based on that paradigm is to perpetuate racism, no matter how pure one’s intentions may be.

There is no easy answer; there are no quick fixes. Gentrification is about land use, not social ills.

“Gentrifiers” don’t develop to discriminate; they gentrify to make money. But just as slavery was an economic issue before it was a social one, the solution to gentrification must be economic at some level. Enter the revolutionary front yard.

My wife and I live in a rapidly gentrifying area in northeast Lexington. We made our front lawn a community garden and because we are of the Christian faith, decided to follow the Biblical provisions regarding stewardship of the land, to wit: “[y]ou shall sow your land for six years and gather in its yield, but on the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow” (Exodus 23:10–11 NASB).

As the growth began to rise, inspiration hit: if the city took issue with it I would use the freedom to discriminate Religious Freedom Restoration Act (KRS 446.350) that we unsuccessfully lobbied against in 2013 as my defense. The grass was no less than 10’ tall, held up with 7’ tee posts, before I was finally cited in September. My neighbors have been cited for grass that was literally shorter than their gentrifying neighbors on nearby streets; that I was able to press the issue as much as I was belays the racial and class bias of code and nuisance ordinances.

I appealed and the classist underpinnings of our legal system were here evident; if you disagree with Code Enforcement your only option is to randomly have assigned to you a hearing in the middle of the day on a workday. How many have the option to skip work or lose that pay?

Nonetheless, the hearing officer several times reminded me of potential effects I was having on home values and therein lies a potential answer: if our local government isn’t willing to take affirmative and substantial action on its own without relying on the private sector (i.e., affordable housing trust fund), the very cause of gentrification, it’s up to us not only to fight for legislative change but to use whatever economic tools we possess for the explicit purpose of

reducing home values.

More than that, we need also to recognize our own privilege and willingly relinquish some of that privilege to the oppressed.

Gentrification occurs because it’s appealing to live downtown in an older home and people are willing to pay many multiples of what a home was worth shortly before for that privilege. Buying these homes at an increased cost is gentrification.

My violation of code was upheld, and rulings were made regarding the right of way, over which Lexington’s code officer admitted he had no jurisdiction.

An appeal of an administrative hearing is heard in District Court de novo, “anew” and now it’s not just about the Religious Freedom Restoration Act; it’s also in regard to code enforcement’s violations of the U.S. Civil Rights Act and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act. As of yet Lexington’s defenses have been that I’ve “fail[ed] to state a claim for which relief may be granted,” that I’d titled my appeal as an “appeal” and not a “complaint,” and that “all actions taken by the Government were taken pursuant to lawful and constitutional ordinances,” among others.

Remember, Jim Crow was the law, slavery was legal. The first time it is specifically mentioned in the Constitution is in the 13th Amendment, which, according to Michelle Alexander’s work The New Jim Crow, is what mass incarceration is predicated upon.

For gentrification to occur, privileged individuals must buy homes that were previously owned by those of lesser socio-economic status. To successfully combat gentrification, we may find it beneficial to focus our efforts on actions that make neighborhoods experiencing or likely to experience gentrification less desirable to the holders of social capital. We must curtail the ability of developers to make a 300 or 400 percent profit on a property for minimal repairs and a paint job. To end an economic injustice we must focus on economic means.

More at: www.facebook.com/TheAmosFarm/

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 21

Coal and Water update

New rule protecting streams from coal pollution attacked Under the guidance of Sen. Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Senate on February 2 voted 54-45 to block a new rule designed to keep coal companies from mining in streams.

The House passed a similar measure the day before, 228-194.

Known as the Stream Protection Rule, the environmental safeguards were issued by the Obama administration on December 19. The new rule overturned action by the George W. Bush administration in 2008 that weakened what up to that point had been called the Stream Buffer Zone.

“The Stream Protection Rule is a comprehensive plan to protect the environment as well as our communities and miners,” explained KFTC member Davie Ransdell. “The rule spells out best practices for reclaiming land and reforesting with native species. It strengthens protections for ephemeral streams that are necessary for good water quality and quantity downstream.”

Because the rule was issued so late in President Obama’s term, it was subject to repeal through the little-used Congressional Review Act. That law allows Congress to nullify recently approved administrative regulations.

Repealing the stream safeguards has been a priority for McConnell even when the rule was in its early

discussion stages.

More recently, in a January 4 letter from McConnell to Donald Trump, McConnell asked the president-elect to support efforts to immediately halt implementation of the new rule.

Industry groups, including the Bevin administration and a dozen other state governors, were trying to stop the new stream protections through lawsuits against the U.S. Office of Surface Mining (OSM), which issued the rule.

“It’s beyond disappointing that some politicians seem eager to overturn this step in the right direction,” said Ransdell.

The rule is weaker than KFTC members and water quality advocates had pushed for, but still a significant improvement over what had been in place.

In pushing for a strong rule, KFTC members pointed out the direct relationship between water quality and people’s health. More than 20 studies have documented the causal relationship between mountaintop removal mining and a long list of aggravated and increased health problems for nearby residents.

“Our lives in Appalachia are being shortened,” pointed out Elaine Tanner of Letcher County during a September 2015 public hearing on the proposed rule.

She wanted coal companies held accountable for the “unimaginable damage to our environment” and the

“legacy pollution we face in our future.”

Jimmie Hall, also of Letcher County, said during the same hearing that the water supply in his community of Mill Creek had “been destroyed. I don’t know what to say, I just know I’ve been hurt… it’s one of the things that destroyed my way of life.”

Russell Oliver of Hazard asked for “stronger laws and enforcement of those laws. Stricter laws should be passed to protect the remaining water so that future generations will not suffer from cancer and other diseases.” Oliver noted that cancer rates in eastern Kentucky are already high and have been associated with pollution from mining operations.

In the Bevin administration’s press release announcing its participation in lawsuits opposing the rule, the governor mentioned neither the environmental impacts of mining in Appalachian streams nor the resulting health impacts on nearby residents.

Ransdell pointed out that the SPR, as with almost all environmental laws, is “a job generator.” Since it prevented mining companies from pushing wastes over the hill and into streams below, more workers would be needed to manage and reclaim sites properly.

It took OSM nearly the whole length of the Obama administration and 15 public hearings before issuing the rule in December. More than 150,000 public comments were received.

State officials let polluters write weakened coal ash rules

By Erica Peterson, WFPL-FM Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet has finalized a controversial plan to let the state’s utilities virtually self-regulate the storing of hazardous coal ash near power plants.

As details about the plan emerged over the past few weeks, Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely defended the rules and the process, saying it included “full public participation.”

But documents obtained by WFPL News show the process was far from public and instead included more than a year of backroom meetings — under both former Gov. Steve Beshear and Gov. Matt Bevin — with representatives of the utility industry. During that time, documents show the regulations were significantly revised and weakened.

When regulators began meeting with representa-

tives of the utility industry in September 2015, the regulations they had drafted were extensive. By the time they submitted the drafts to the Legislative Research Commission in October 2016, the regulations were weakened.

Environmental attorney Tom FitzGerald of the Kentucky Resources Council, who has spent more than 44 years working in the state, and oftentimes on workgroups with members of industry and regulators to craft regulations, said to his knowledge, such onesided input from industry is unprecedented in recent years.

“I think it’s unconscionable, and I think it does not reflect well on how little value [the regulators] place on public involvement in the development of regulations that are intended to protect the public,” FitzGerald said.

Representatives from the Energy and Environ-

ment Cabinet declined an interview request. In response to emailed questions, spokesman John Mura defended the cabinet’s regulatory process.

“As a part of the pre-KRS 13A deliberative process of regulation development, it is common for the state to informally discuss regulatory matters with the regulated sector that are directly impacted by those regulations,” Mura wrote.

He also pointed to a public comment period and a public hearing held in November 2016. After public comments were received, the agency made minor changes to the rule.

Reprinted with permission. Read a longer version of this story, including a discussion of the dangers of coal ash and more details on meetings between industry and state officials at: http://wfpl.org/kentucky-regulators-industryreps-privately-rewrote-coal-ash-rules/.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017 22

22 | Balancing the Scales

Coal and Water update

Petition campaign hopes to save Black Lung provisions Members of the Southeastern Kentucky Black Lung Association in Letcher County are spearheading an effort to protect black lung benefits for disabled coal miners and their widows or widowers.

Laws that define the current program could be lost with the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, as promised by President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.

“If President Trump and the new Congress do away with the Affordable Care Act, coal miners suffering from Black Lung Disease and their families could really be hurt,” KFTC member Patty Amburgey explained in an email to KFTC members in December.

“As a widow of a coal miner, this could affect me and the Black Lung benefits I receive.”

The ACA includes two provisions that make it more likely that a miner disabled by Black Lung can receive disability benefits and that their spouse can continue to receive those benefits upon their death.

The ACA revived a “presumptive clause” that if a coal miner spent 15 or more years in a mine, their respiratory disease is presumed caused by exposure to coal dust. Black Lung Disease is still quite prevalent

NAME:

among coal miners.

With the help of the Appalachian Citizens Law “A second ACA provision allows widows like me Center based in Whitesburg, they were successful to continue receiving those benefits upon our hus- in getting national publicity about this campaign in band’s death, without having to re-apply and re-prove CNN and Washington Post stories (http://cnnmon. ie/2iWXDvC) that included an interview with Amhe had Black Lung,” Amburgey said.

Crawford Amburgey, Patty’s husband, died from burgey.

Black Lung in 2007. He was only 60 years old.

That effort may have prompted U.S. Rep. Hal “If the ACA is rescinded, there will be a lot of Rogers to release a statement saying he believes “some uncertainty. Some cases like mine could be re-opened,” portions of the law [ACA] are worthy of continuation, Amburgey explained. “Ongoing cases could be set such as critical protections for coal miners.” aside or considered without using the ACA. One thing Rogers and four others introduced a House Resois certain, though: it will be a whole lot harder for min- lution that would separate the Black Lung language ers to prove their Black Lung case and for their widows from the ACA and make it part of a separate law.

But McConnell blocked an opportunity to make to continue receiving those benefits.”

Congress, under the guidance of Senate Major- that happen in the Senate. On January 10, six Demoity Leader McConnell, already has taken the first step cratic senators introduced an amendment to a budget toward the repeal of the ACA. More steps are needed resolution that the Senate was about to pass to preserve before that action is completed. the Black Lung ACA language. That amendment was Amburgey, like many others, is asking that impor- not called by McConnell for a vote. tant provisions of the ACA, including the Black Lung provisions, be maintained. The Black Lung Association To sign the petition in support of has circulated a petition addressed toGiver Trumporand mem-your Sustaining coal miners’ Black Lung benefits, go to: Become a Sustaining update Gift today. bers of Congress asking just that. http://kftc.org/actions/black-lung-petition _____________________________________

Become A Sustaining Giver: Sustaining Givers provide steady income to support KFTC’s work throughout the year. And being a Sustaining Giver allows you to give more than you might be able to give in a single gift. With as little as $5 per month, you can make a greater investment in KFTC.

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www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 23

KFTC News

Steering Committee addresses events, program of work Building on 35 years of direct-action organizing, Steering Committee members considered and adopted KFTC’s 2017 Program of Work in light of a shifting political landscape in the state and in the nation.

Members noted that the nation has changed quickly and that many were reaching out to ask how

KFTC intends to operate in this new environment.

Previous conversations held by the Steering Committee stressed strategies for pivoting as an organization in light of recent developments and how best to integrate those strategies into an already robust program.

Foregrounding what it’s going to take to turn

KFTC members take part in “It Takes Roots” activities in nation’s capital Steering Committee members received a report have “brought up spirits.” She continued, “We will from KFTC members Meta change things.” Taking up the Mendel-Reyes and Jillean Mcsame thread, JoAnn Schwartz Commons, who attended rallies of northern Kentucky emphain Washington, D.C. from Janusized that “Everyone has to be ary 18-21 as part of the “It Takes involved.”

The “It Takes Roots to Roots to Grow the Resistance” Grow the Resistance” coalition delegation.

Mendel-Reyes of Madison includes grassroots activists County invited members to and frontline communities’ participate in a chant that she leaders. Members of the colearned for the rallies. She called alition include the Grassout, “What do we do when coal roots Global Justice Alliance miners are attacked?” The room (GGJ), the Climate Justice responded, resounding with, Alliance (CJA), the Right to “Stand up, fight back!” The the City Alliance (RTC), and chant continued with numerous the Indigenous Environmental calls and responses: “What do Network (IEN). The nonviowe do when our health care is atlent demonstrations presented tacked?” “Stand up, fight back!”

KFTC members an opportu“What do we do when clean wa- Meta Mendel-Reyes (holding sign) and nity to highlight ways that the ter is attacked?” “Stand up, fight Jillean McCommons participated in new administration’s policies back!” three days of activities in Washington, impact the state of Kentucky

The atmosphere in the room D.C. around the Women’s March and the and communities throughout was lively as Mendel-Reyes and inauguration. the commonwealth.

McCommons briefed the committee members on It Takes Roots activities.

McCommons, also of Madison County, noted that the demonstrations brought together many women of color and intentionally sought to magnify the voices of those who frequently find themselves pushed to the margins. In highlighting her experience as a delegation member, she stated: “We got to lift up stories that are often overlooked.”

Other committee members reflected on the impact that various recent demonstrations across the state have had on them and their communities. Leslie Bebensee of Scott County noted that these marches

around recent political trends, KFTC Chairperson Elizabeth Sanders of Letcher County noted, “Part of our work is to stand firm in our beliefs and resist, but also to build bridges where possible.”

The Steering Committee circled back to the work they had undertaken in December to provide the foundation for the 2017 Program of Work. They held an honest discussion about the organization’s strengths and weaknesses as well as the threats and opportunities that members and the organization face.

Members heard a description of the Program of Work as a living document, providing a perspective and flexibility to navigate the unfurling political terrain while maintaining a firm commitment to KFTC’s vision.

The Program of Work is a document that details KFTC’s goals for the year across each of the organizational strategies and campaigns.

After breaking for lunch, the Steering Committee revisited work that it had undertaken concerning a proposed gender neutral bathroom policy guidance. At the August 2016 KFTC annual meeting, the members adopted a new platform plank on gender inclusivity, which reads, “We will lead by example in affirming people's gender identities and gender expressions and embodying inclusive spaces for diverse gender identities.”

In December, the Steering Committee approved a recommendation committing KFTC to providing for gender neutral bathrooms at KFTC events. It also charged the staff with developing a draft guidance for when and how we can meet this request.

The staff formed a small team to conduct research and interviews in order to generate and provide the Steering Committee with a draft proposal during the meeting. After review and discussion, committee members voted to adopt the proposed policy guidance.

www.kftc.org | February 3, 2017

24 | Balancing the Scales

CALENDAR OF EVENTS February 6 & March 6 Chapter meeting – Wilderness Trace 7 p.m., at InterCounty Energy Community Room 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713

February 20 & March 20 Chapter meeting – Northern Kentucky 7 p.m., Center for Great Neighborhoods 321 W. 12th Street, Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103

February 7 – Chapter meeting Big Sandy, 6 p.m., KFTC office 152 North Lake Drive, Prestonsburg Info: Jessie@kftc.org or 606-263-4982

February 23-24 – Eastern Kentucky Farmers Conference with the Community Farm Alliance in Hindman; Info: Jann Knappage at 606-331-0263 or http://cfaky.org/event/eastern-ky-farmerconference/

February 9 – Chapter meeting Letcher County, 6 p.m.

Harry M. Caudill Library, 220 East Main Street, Whitesburg Info: SaraEstep@kftc.org or 606-634-3405 February 11 – Sustainable Solutions Tour of Louisville, 9 a.m. with Passionist Earth & Spirit Center; Info: 502-452-2749 or http://earthandspiritcenter.org February 13 – Resistance Training Jefferson County: 6:30 p.m.

First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Alicia@kftc.org or 502-589-3188 February 16 & March 16 Chapter meeting – Rowan County 6 p.m., St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Info: Sara@kftc.org or 606-632-0051 February 16 & March 16 Chapter meeting – Central Kentucky 7 p.m., Episcopal Mission House 203 E. 4th Street, Lexington Info: BethHoward@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 February 20 – Chapter meeting Perry County, 6 p.m., Jabo’s Coal River Grille (Banquet Room) 420 Village Lane, Hazard Info: Jessie@kftc.org or 606-263-4982

February 25 – 8th Annual Growing Appalachia Conference; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at Hindman Settlement School 71 Center Street, Hindman Info: Jessie@kftc.org or 606-263-4982 Registration: http://kftc.org/growing February 27 & March 27 Chapter meeting – Madison County 7 p.m., Loyal Jones Appalachian Center Berea College, 205 N. Main St., Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 February 28 – Chapter meeting Southern Kentucky, 6 p.m.

The Foundry, 531 W. 11th Ave. Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989 March 2 – Chapter meeting Scott County, 6:30 p.m.

Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane, Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 March 13 – Chapter meeting Jefferson County, 6:30 p.m.

First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Alicia@kftc.org or 502-589-3188 March 25 – KFTC Steering Committee meeting; 10:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Info: Heather@kftc.org or 859-276-0563

Michael Harrington joins KFTC staff Michael Harrington is KFTC’s new Program Associate, and he will provide support across the organization’s program of work. Harrington moved to Kentucky from east Tennessee to attend Berea College, where he was first introduced to KFTC through the organization’s Voter

Empowerment work.

In the past he has worked for the city of Berea’s Human Rights Commission and has a keen interest in issues impacting civil rights, fair housing and equal opportunity across the commonwealth. He will be working from the Berea office.

KFTC OFFICES AND STAFF MAIN OFFICE Morgan Brown, Burt Lauderdale and Ashley Frasher P.O. Box 1450 | London, Kentucky 40743 606-878-2161 | Fax: 606-878-5714 info@kftc.org

FIELD OFFICES Louisville Elizabeth Adami, Alicia Hurle and Carissa Lenfert 502-589-3188 Whitesburg Sara Pennington and Sara Estep 606-632-0051 Bowling Green Molly Kaviar 502-599-3989

Prestonsburg Jessie Skaggs, Jerry Hardt 606-263-4982

Northern Kentucky Joe Gallenstein and Caitlin Sparks 859-380-6103 Central Kentucky Jessica Hays Lucas, Beth Howard, Erik Hungerbuhler, Heather Roe Mahoney and Tyler Offerman 859-276-0563 Berea Lisa Abbott, Amy Hogg, Kevin Pentz, Sasha Zaring and Michael Harrington 859-756-4027