Volume 37 Number 2
march 6, 2018
GENERAL ASSEMBLY NEWS
OTHER NEWS
Proposed pension changes not just about funding .............................. 5
Poor People’s Campaign ........... 4
House finds new revenue .......... 6
Town Hall initiative ..................... 8
Stalling the anti-solar bill ........... 7
Building Grassroots Power .... 9-15
KFTC Bill Tracker ................... 17-18
RECLAIM action now ................. 16
Feeling it in Frankfort Grassroots presence keeps hope and vision alive ................... Inside
Change Service Requested
scales
Kentuckians For The Commonwealth P.O. Box 1450 London, Ky. 40743
balancing the
2 | Balancing the Scales
is a statewide grassroots social justice 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 Meta Mendel-Reyes, chairperson Randy Wilson, vice chairperson Christian Torp, secretary-treasurer Cassia Herron, at-large member (vacant), immediate past chair Chapter Representatives open, Big Sandy Sarah Bowling, Central Kentucky Chase Gladson, Harlan County Robby Olivam, Jefferson County Wendy Warren, Madison County Amy Copelin, Northern Kentucky Chanda Campbell, Perry County Chris Merritt, Rowan County Leslie Bebensee, Scott County Joy Fitzgerald, Shelby County Summer Bolton, Southern Kentucky Amanda Groves, Western Kentucky Barbara Farley, Wilderness Trace Alternates: open, Big Sandy; Candice Ryder, Central Kentucky; Cheyanna Gladson, Harlan County; Chandra Cruz-Thompson, Jefferson County; Rebecca Tucker, Madison County; Lauren Gabbard, Northern Kentucky; Russell Oliver, Perry County; Allie Secor, Rowan County; Clare White, Scott County; Cynthia Dare, Shelby County; Teresa Christmas, Southern Kentucky; Shaina Goodman, Western Kentucky; Margaret Gardiner, Wilderness Trace
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Table of Contents
Executive Committee Corner: Knowing the long path .................................................................. 3 Economic Justice
Poor People’s Campaign officially launched in Kentucky ............................................................. 4 The U.S. could have eliminated childhood poverty for the cost of the GOP tax bill .............. 4
Kentucky General Assembly Senate pension would eliminate inviolable contract ...................................................................... 5 The real agenda behind pension push ................................................................................................ 5 House budget raises new revenue but mostly falls short . ............................................................ 6 Kentuckians ready for a different course from our electeds ........................................................... 6 Grassroots effort keeps anti-solar bill stalled in the House ........................................................... 7
KFTC Bill Tracker .............................................................................................................................. 17-18 Action for Democracy Kentuckians challenge lawmakers to help achieve vision.............................................................. 8 Learn voter engagement with KFTC ......................................................................................................... 8
Racial Justice Aubrey Clemons: reflections on KFTC’s Black leadership ............................................................. 9 Reflections on Tanya Torp’s History of Racism presentation ......................................................... 10 Courts delay end of DACA, for now ........................................................................................................ 10
Local Updates – Building Grassroots Power To Berea, With Love: Madison chapter hosts State of the City Address ................................. 11 Harlan, Cumberland chapter members excited about 2018 work ...............................................11 Residents share vision with legislators at Scott Co. town hall .....................................................12 Scott County residents get favorable ruling on zoning for landfill expansion.........................12 NKY Victory! Newport passes syringe access exchange ...............................................................13 Task force visit reinforces the need for medical marijuana........................................................... 14 Liberation theology and spiritual journeys ............................................................................................ 15 What is the cost of paying less in taxes? ............................................................................................... 15
Energy and Water ACTION: Tell Senator McConnell “Pass the RECLAIM Act”......................................................16 KFTC News Are you ready for KFTC’s Action for Democracy Spring Campaign? ................................. 3 Steering Committee adopts 2018 Program of Work .................................................................... 19 KFTC welcomes Laura Greenfield for data visualization project ...................................................19
KFTC Calendar, staff and offices .................................................................................................... 20
KFTC on social media Facebook www.KFTC.org/facebook For chapter Facebook pages, visit: www.kftc.org/links
Instagram @jckftc @soky_kftc @centralkentuckykftc @northernky_kftc @kentuckiansforthecommonwealth
To find our photos on Flickr: @KFTC @NKY_KFTC @ScottCoKFTC @MadCo_KFTC @EKY_KFTC
@JCKFTC @WT_KFTC @SoKyKFTC @VotingRightsKY @CanaryProject
www.flickr.com/ photos/KFTCphotos
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Balancing the Scales | 3
executive committee corner
Knowing the long path will get us to where we’re headed By Randy Wilson, KFTC vice-chairperson Like just about everybody else I have been really demoralized by the 2016 election. And also by the turn of economic trends here in the mountains. People are leaving. Morehead State University is in a financial crisis. The local school system is wondering how to keep open since the severance tax of coal is in unalterable decline and tax assessment on unmined minerals has been downgraded. Most of my people, my kin and immediate family, have departed. I wonder myself where I should go. But I can’t get excited about relocating. After 40 years in the schools doing song, stories and dance I am looking at retiring from my position and looking at other options. People tend to retire to some beautiful location for the elderly –- Florida, Asheville, NC. I see no purpose in it myself. See a couple of beautiful sunsets or mountains … then what? But on the other hand, things look kind of grim here. I remember Jeremiah, the weeping prophet of
the Old Testament. His land was occupied by an invading army, Persian or Babylonian, I forget which. An invasion is tough on the land. You have to denude the land of trees in order to mount an attack on the cities – wooden rams, catapults, siege works of all kinds. What did Jeremiah do? He went out and bought some land. He bought some land as an act of faith in the return of his homeland, even in the midst of destruction, when things looked the worse. I’d like to try the same. There’s a north-facing mountain on the Hindman Settlement School campus – one that has not been blown all to hell. I’d like to plant some herbals on that mountain. Plant some herbals and inoculate some logs with mushroom plugs. I’d like to see if we could put some solar farms on some of these mountaintop removal sites. I’d like to see if we could put a mountain bike trail around Carr Fork Lake. And the sky up there on a MTR site, it’s mighty big and wide, stars on a clear night on a broad horizon
Are you ready for KFTC’s Action for Democracy Spring Campaign? Much is at stake for our communities this year. And we have an opportunity in this important election year to influence the political landscape with powerful voter engagement work. Action for Democracy is KFTC’s year-round approach to building grassroots power to win on election day, increase civic engagement, build a healthy democracy, and pass progressive local, state and federal legislation that improves the quality of life for all Kentuckians. We’re registering voters, talking to folks at their front doors, meeting with legislators, hosting town halls, surveying candidates and more. As funds allow, we’ll also hire voter empowerment organizers during the election season. Our spring fundraising campaign will focus on this powerful democracy work, and your gifts to the campaign will assure its success. Get started at www.kftc.org/support or with the form on page 16. Even if your membership is current or you normally give in the fall, please make a donation to support this work. Elections determine leaders and leaders set policy and policies shape the quality of our schools, our communities and our families.
with no light pollution from big cities. You reckon some city folks would want to check that out? I’ll try hanging around to see if these projects can keep me afloat here. If not…. I have bought a sailboat. I have … really. Someday I can sail away … up the Chesapeake, down the intercoastal waterways, or beach hop Lake Michigan. But there are some other things that are keeping me afloat here as well. There are 100 women running for office in Kentucky. We have about 27 KFTC members running for office. This wake up call, this may be the most important result of the past election. We have been very good at protest, but we are going to remain a culture of angry protesters until we get somebody else elected. I am encouraged that we are moving in this direction. It is going to take some time and persistence. I have been learning some songs by Rev. Gary Davis, a black street musician from Harlem. He has this song “If I had my way these old walls would come tumbling down.” I wanted to rework it in some way for our times. So, I looked up some history … like early suffragists who started working on women’s right to vote in 1870. They didn’t get voting rights until 1920. And leaders of the independence movement who started strikes in India in 1920. They didn’t get independence until 1947. We think of these people as magical figures that miraculously changed the course of history. But it wasn’t magic that made it happen. It was something else. And that something else is hard to define. We could say “persistence,” but what was it that made them persistent? What did they draw on day after day? Something in the sheer process of their spiritual walk? I am not one to point to easy answers. But I am still walking and searching … and singing. Cover: KFTC members bring good spirits and determination to the halls of the General Assembly. Here they check the KFTC Legislative Guide as they plan their next lobbying visit on KFTC’s Economic Justice Lobby Day. Balancing the Scales is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and mailed third class from Louisville,. 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 | March 6, 2018
4 | Balancing the Scales
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Poor People’s Campaign officially launched in Kentucky The Kentucky Poor People’s Campaign was officially launched in early February with a call for a moral revival in Kentucky and the nation. “Fifty years ago the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called for a Poor People's Campaign to begin a revolution of values in America. He and other leaders invited people of all races and religions to unite against the evils of racism, poverty and militarism,” Rev. Don Gillette of Lexington said at a Frankfort press conference. “The conditions that motivated Dr. King over the last 50 years, with the forces of white supremacy and
greed gaining even more influence in Washington and state houses across the country, today a new poor people’s campaign is needed to save America's soul.” The Kentucky campaign is part of the national Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival (https://poorpeoplescampaign.org/). “Kentucky needs to be a part of the Poor People’s Campaign, a national call for a moral revival,” said Ja'mel Armstrong, a Louisville pastor and one of three
Upcoming Poor People’s Campaign activities Training in nonviolent moral direct action March 19-22 Poor People’s Campaign national leaders visit eastern Kentucky March 29 March in Frankfort – April 4 50th anniversary of assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
March in Lexington – April 7 Kentucky delegation in Washington, D.C. for national conference April 9-10 Action at the Kentucky State Capitol the beginning of 40 days of nonviolent moral direct action in Kentucky and around the country May 13
Check the KFTC website at www.kftc.org/ky-poor-peoples-campaign for up-to-date info
The U.S. could have eliminated childhood poverty for the cost of the GOP tax bill The final Republican tax overhaul, shepherded through Congress by Sen. Mitch McConnell in December, will add nearly $1.5 trillion to the U.S. deficit. That is enough to eliminate child poverty in the United States – twice. The numbers were crunched by online publication talkpoverty.org, a project of the Center for American Progress. Here’s what they wrote: “According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the 5.7 million poor families with children would need an average of $11,400 more to live above the poverty line in 2016. In total, the income needed to boost these families – along with the additional 105,000 children who were not living with their families – above the federal poverty level is about $69.4 billion per year in today’s dollars. Over ten years, that adds up to about 46 percent of what Congress plans to spend on its tax plan.
“There would be so much money left over after we boosted these kids out of poverty that the United States could also pay tuition and fees for all of them to get an in-state education at a four-year public university, and it still wouldn’t costs as much as the tax plan.” The report further points out that for just 12 percent more than the tax bill gives away ($1.74 trillion) we could completely eliminate all poverty in the United States. “But instead of reducing poverty in the United States, Congressional Republicans are chipping away at the existing programs that support low-income people.” “These policies are obviously cruel. They’re also stunningly financially irresponsible. Child poverty costs the United States a lot of money: an estimated $672 billion per year in lost productivity, worse health outcomes, and increased criminal activity.”
co-chairs of the Kentucky campaign. “We must stand together no matter where we're from, no matter what community or city we represent, no matter our background, no matter our ethnicity, no matter our sexual orientation, no matter our belief systems and say that we are willing to engage in nonviolent civil disobedience because the people in our state and the people in our nation need change.” Noting the location of the press conference, Rev. Megan Huston of Bowling Green and a campaign cochair, said, “I hear about what is happening here in Frankfort and I have had enough. So I am joining with the Poor People’s Campaign because I believe that we can do better.” “We believe the Poor People’s Campaign, a national call for a moral revival, demands that we shift the moral narrative around poverty in this country.” The campaign will focus on poverty, systemic racism, militarism and ecological devastation. “Today we serve notice that if our voices are not heard, and if our issues remain unaddressed, we are prepared to take direct action and engage in nonviolent civil disobedience,” Rev. Gillette said. Ecological devastation was addressed by Chase Gladson, a 15-year-old KFTC member from Harlan County. “What we do to the land, we do to the people,” Gladson said, noting the damage to health, water, air quality and so much more that extractive industries have and are causing in Kentucky. Now the local economy has crumbled since the coal industry left eastern Kentucky. “As a young person living in Harlan County that wants to stay there, it is sad to see family and friends leaving when there is so much in Harlan County that we can build.” He connected the region’s future to decisions being made now in the General Assembly. “We don't have enough textbooks. They are falling apart, which means we can’t learn,” Gladson noted. “If we aren’t investing in our education, how are we supposed to build this economy back up?” “At the end of the day, if we don’t do something we aren't going to have a home. It’s our responsibility to take care of it and stop people that are coming in to destroy it,” Gladson said, noting he gets hope “from the work that I'm doing with Kentuckians For The Commonwealth.”
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Balancing the Scales | 5
2018 General Assembly
Senate pension would eliminate inviolable contract The Republican pension bill under consideration by the Kentucky Senate (as of March 5) would take away about $65,000 from a retiree’s income over the course of their retirement. The amount of income lost by future new hires could be even greater. KFTC member Taylor Bright described the proposed change as a “phased income tax increase over 20 years. This is a real aggressive attempt to claw back retired teachers’ income.” Senate Bill 1 is not as harsh for teachers and other state workers as Gov. Matt Bevin’s proposal last fall, but its aim is the same – dismantle the public employee
retirement system that guarantees retired workers economic security. “We essentially get less benefits for the same cost or even slightly more [cost],” Bright said during a KFTC educational webinar. “The question is, what are we doing all this for? If it was about the money, we would have fully funded the pension and we’d be done with it.” Instead, the goal of SB 1 is to be able to break the inviolable contract, at least for newly hired state workers, beginning July 1, 2018. “This means they can change [promised retirement benefits] every year (and) continually weaken the sys-
tem over time,” Bright explained. “This is the beginning and not the end to remove defined benefits from public workers. This has always been an ideological play.” SB 1 had a hearing before the Senate State and Local Government Committee on February 28. No vote was taken but one was expected the following week.
The real agenda behind pension push By Tom Eblen, Lexington Herald-Leader columnist February 14, 2018. Reprinted with permission Corporations have spent four decades taking traditional pensions away from most American workers. Now they and their allies want to do the same to school teachers and other public employees. Kentuckians recently got a reminder that efforts to replace public employees’ defined-benefit pensions with 401(k)-style defined-contribution plans are more about ideology than finance and are part of a national campaign by conservative activists. Many members of the General Assembly were rightfully irritated when they were emailed a demand letter organized by the Pegasus Institute, a conservative think tank in Louisville. In order to protect taxpayers, the letter said, pension risk must be shifted to employees, “which can only be done by embracing the same structural reforms that were adopted by the private sector decades ago, moving all future employees from a defined-benefits system to a defined contributions system.” The letter was signed by several Kentucky business executives, Republican leaders and donors and Grover Norquist, an anti-government activist in Massachusetts who has bullied politicians for years to sign pledges against ever raising taxes. Norquist and his ilk are one reason Kentucky’s pensions are so under-funded. Some pension problems were caused by high-risk investments made with little transparency and the 2008 financial collapse caused by Wall Street’s shenanigans. But the biggest issue is that Kentucky politicians short-changed pension contributions for years because
they had to balance the state budget and were afraid to raise taxes – in part because of pressure from the Norquist crowd. Having created this crisis, anti-tax politicians are now being pressured to solve it on the backs of public employees and retirees. Kentucky state employees except teachers hired since 2014 are already in hybrid plans. But conservative activists want more. So-called 401(k)s were created in the early 1970s so highly paid executives could put some of their income into tax-deferred retirement investments. These funds were never meant to replace traditional pensions. But businesses began doing that because it saved them money and shifted the risk to employees, whose retirement security was left to the vagaries of Wall Street. Defined-contribution plans have some advantages, such as portability as people change jobs. But experts warn that many plan participants will end up with too little money for a secure retirement. That is especially troubling because of efforts by Republicans in Congress to undermine Social Security and Medicare. Right-wing front groups and think tanks have been promoting this policy for years. They include the billionaire Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity … and the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions. They also include the ultra-conservative American Legislative Exchange Council and the Pew Charitable Trusts … But in states that have made the switch, things haven’t gone well for either employees or taxpayers. It was such a disaster in West Virginia that teachers switched back to their old pension system. Gov. Matt Bevin started beating this drum last fall, hyping Kentucky’s long-term pension liabilities as
a “crisis” that had to be solved quickly. He has paid a consulting firm $1.25 million to try to make the case. And he has been backed by a shadowy Republicanlinked group called Save Our Pensions … But the numbers have not added up. … Studies by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy also have shown that defined-contribution plans would cost taxpayers more while degrading pension benefits. It has recommended better approaches. Republican lawmakers say their pension bill may be unveiled this week. Senate President Robert Stivers, who stood by Bevin when he unveiled his proposal last October, told reporters Thursday that the bill won’t switch future teachers from pensions to 401(k)-style plans, but would put them in hybrid plans that are less generous than they have now. Republicans have rejected a proposal by Rep. James Kay, D-Versailles, that would raise $600 million for pension funding, saying more than tax increases are needed. Despite the political firestorm these Republican proposals have created in Kentucky, the General Assembly’s majority party seems determined to change the pension system and not just properly fund it. But as ideology clashes with reality, their biggest enemy may turn out to be math.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
6 | Balancing the Scales
2018 General Assembly
House budget raises new revenue but mostly falls short The Kentucky House on March 1 passed a state budget bill and an accompanying revenue measure that restore some of the cuts proposed by Gov. Bevin but fall far short of addressing Kentucky’s revenue crisis. The bills, which were not made public before the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee voted, were significant in that House leaders were willing to find new revenue to lessen the cuts proposed by Bevin. “The fact that a revenue bill was put forward and passed speaks to the work of KFTC members and our allies and was a great step forward,” said Taylor Bright, a KFTC member who has been providing analysis of the budget, revenue and pension bills in the General Assembly. The revenue bill, House Bill 366, would generate about $500 million over two years. Much of this comes from a 50 cents-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax (from 60 cents to $1.10) and a 25 cents-perdose tax on opioid drugs.
Additional revenue would be found by suspending the film industry tax break for two years, as well as some other tourism development tax breaks, and eliminating the $10 personal income tax credit. That allowed the House to add back (taken out in the governor’s proposed budget) $139 million for school transportation and increase SEEK (education) funding. Full funding was included for active teachers’ health insurance, and the governor’s cuts to secondary education and veterans affairs were eliminated. There also is increased funding for private prisons. However, most areas of government still get 6.25 percent cut. There is no funding for textbooks or the Kentucky Commission on Women, no pay raise for state employees for the next two years, and a 50 percent cut for the executive branch ethics commission. Of the 70 programs that the governor eliminated funding for, only 24 had full or partial funding restored.
Take Action Call 800-372-7181 to leave a message for your state representative and state senator. Suggested message: “We cannot cut our way to prosperity. Support reasonable revenue raising solutions such as those in House Bill 29.” The budget bill passed the House 79-15. HB 366 passed by a 68-25 margin. Both go next to the Senate, where they are likely to be amended. Several legislators noted that, while a step forward to raise new revenue, the measures fall well short of what is needed or possible, and that the tax increases in HB 366 are regressive (meaning they take a higher percentage of earnings from lower-income people than those with higher incomes).
Kentuckians ready for a different course from our electeds By Rosanne Klarer I taught students with special needs for nearly two decades. We worked to reach our students, to connect with them so that they could learn in spite of all the challenges they faced. And what we saw was that that connection could make the difference. Connecting with students is more important now than ever. Fayette County parents got an email about school safety citing two school safety experts who said that building strong connections with students was the best strategy for keeping schools safe. “When asked directly how they would invest money in school safety, they both said more staff to work directly with students, such as counselors and social workers. These initiatives take investment, and they take people who want to do the work, and are happy to be in their jobs.” Our teachers, and all of our state workers, work just as hard as they ever have. Often harder, because of growing class sizes, growing needs in our state, and the growing gaps in the public safety net that those who are left are asked to fill. But while their efforts and workload have increased, their pay and benefits have not. In fact, wages and benefits for public workers have stagnated or fallen.
Kentucky has endured 19 rounds of budget cuts since 2008. Why are our elected leaders hurling Kentucky down this path? They’ve continued to refuse to address the core problem of why we have cut so many of Kentucky’s public investments: inadequate tax revenue from an out-of-date tax system. Kentucky has a dizzying array of tax breaks, loopholes, and expenditures totaling almost $13 billion. And we don’t tax wealth effectively. According to the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, middleincome Kentuckians (those making $30,000-$50,000 per year) contribute almost 11% of their income to state and local taxes. The wealthiest 1% of Kentuckians contribute only 6% of the income to the public investments in our people and our communities. The wealthy and corporations should contribute more, because we need that revenue for our schools, workers, and the programs that benefit everyone. I was cautiously heartened to see that finally, after years of Kentuckians calling for revenue reform, the House passed a bill that raises some revenue. That is remarkable. But it’s not enough. While the revenue-raising bill (HB 366) and the House’s budget bills are better than the Governor’s proposals, they are inadequate and unsustainable. The House’s budget rolls back some of the cuts proposed by the Governor, but it does this mainly by raiding
$480 million from the Kentucky Employees’ Health Plan fund. As Rep. Derrick Graham said from the House floor, “We’re robbing Peter to pay Paul...we’re taking funding from health care for public employees to try to balance this budget.” We’re also, as Rep. Rick Rand pointed out, taking from the wrong pots: “You’re taxing the very people who can least afford to pay for this. We’re not asking corporations to pay more...when they’re the ones who can probably afford it.” Instead of offering tax breaks to corporations, we should be raising revenue to fund roads so our small businesses can move their products. Instead of giving obscene income tax breaks to the wealthy, we should be raising revenue to fairly pay first responders, teachers, and other public workers. Instead of following the self-destructive path of Kansas, Kentucky should chart its own path where we invest in communities so that economic prosperity bubbles up. Lord knows it will never trickle down. Kentuckians are willing to put in the hard work to build thriving communities, but we need our elected officials to find funding to make the necessary investments. It’s high time that the millionaires and corporations that are seeing soaring incomes and bulging profit portfolios pay their fair share in taxes. We’ve seen what a decade of the failed policies of refusing to adequately, fairly and sustainably raise revenue in Kentucky have brought us. It’s time to chart a different path.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Balancing the Scales | 7
2018 General Assembly
Grassroots effort keeps anti-solar bill stalled in the House House Bill 227, the anti The result would be that rooftop solar bill being pushed many fewer people would by Kentucky electricity moinstall rooftop panels, having nopolies, has been stalled so far the effect of giving the utiliin the House (at least as of this ties a virtual monopoly on the writing, March 5) thanks to solar industry in Kentucky. strong grassroots opposition. In late January, this bad bill KEEP CALLING! HB 227 has had three hearappeared stalled in commitings before the House Natural tee. After strong testimony HB 227, the anti-solar bill, Resources and Energy Commitfrom solar industry repreis still very much alive tee and 29 amendments prosentatives and advocates at a Call 502-947-6182 posed on the House floor. But quickly called special meetand tell your legislators to it has yet to receive a vote by the ing of the House Natural full House. Resources and Energy ComVote NO on HB 227 Kentucky’s utilities, backed mittee, Committee Chair Jim www.kftc.org/protectsolar by national fossil fuel groups, Gooch realized he did not are lobbying hard to get the bill have the votes to pass the bill. passed. It would change the way rooftop solar owners So he abruptly adjourned the meeting without a vote. are compensated for putting the excess energy they He acknowledged that this issue has generated generate into the electric grid (called net metering). more messages to legislators than any other issue in the Instead of the current 7- to 9-year payback for the cost General Assembly, other than pensions and medical of installing solar panels, the payback would become marijuana. more than 25 years. But HB 227, sponsored by Gooch, was given
PROTECT SOLAR
new life in early February when Republican leaders in the House took the unusual step of adding three new members to the committee. Their additional votes were enough to pass the bill through committee on February 8 and send it to the full House. That’s when more than two dozen floor amendments were filed to the bill, indicating the bill is poorly written, and no effort was made at reaching compromises in committee. After lingering on the House floor for nearly three weeks, HB 227 was sent back to the Natural Resources and Energy Committee. On March 5, Gooch called another special committee meeting. He explained how a new committee substitute met a lot of the concerns of the bill’s opponents. But when Rep. Jim DuPlessis asked a question about some of the new language in the bill, Gooch had to ask a utility company representative to explain what was in his own bill. The answer seemed unsatisfactory and seemed to contradict what Gooch had minutes earlier described about what the new committee substitute would do.
KFTC members and staff during the Economic Justice Lobby Day on February 6.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
8 | Balancing the Scales
KFTC voter engagement
Kentuckians challenge lawmakers to help achieve vision KFTC launched a town hall initiative in February as a way to hold legislators accountable, and also to push them toward decisions based on a positive vision for Kentucky rather than political positioning. The approach to the town halls is to have a panel of local residents present their vision for their community. Elected leaders will be asked then to describe how they are helping to achieve that vision, particularly in the context of legislation that is being considered in the 2018 General Assembly. KFTC chose the town hall format because it is a democratic tradition that pre-dates even the founding of this country, allows broad participation and is based
on the premise of collective decision-making. Town halls already have taken place in Scott County (see story on page 12) and in northern Kentucky. Here is the schedule for other towns halls, with some still be scheduled. Western Kentucky, March 10 Harlan County, March 12 Perry County, March 15 Madison County, March 20 Jefferson County TBA Rowan County TBA Central Kentucky TBA
Barren County TBA Cumberland Chapter TBA The town halls in Harlan County and Louisville will be youth-led. Most town halls will be live-streamed on the local chapter’s Facebook page. Visit www.kftc.org/town-halls to see an updated schedule and for more information.
Learn voter engagement with KFTC KFTC’s Integrated Voter Engagement 101 Trainings ground us in KFTC’s approach to voter engagement and give hands-on tools and strategies. Participants will learn how to register voters, connect with voters around the issues that impact their lives, and ultimately move them to turn out to the polls. Those in attendance also will have the opportunity to meet fellow KFTC members, allies and friends and sign up for voter registration drives, canvasses and other voter outreach work in their region. Integrated Voter Engagement 101 Training Dates: • Western Kentucky: March 18, 3 p.m. Mayfield at the chapter meeting • Madison County: #1: March 26, 7 p.m., Berea Friends Meeting House at chapter meeting, #2 Wednesday, March 28, 6 p.m. at Baird Lounge, Berea College (corner of Prospect St. and Scaffold Cane Rd.) • Central Kentucky: March 31, 1 - 4 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1825 Russell Cave Rd. Lexington, 40505 • Southern Kentucky: March 31, Time and Location TBD
Trainings also are being planned in Jefferson, Rowan and Barren counties.
KFTC has regional democracy teams throughout the state, such as the Rowan County team meeting above, working to engage voters in the 2018 elections and beyond. To get involved, contact your local KFTC organizer (see list on page 20) or Alicia Hurle at Alicia@kftc.org or 502-589-3188.
“Phone bank calling is a really great volunteer experience. It gives a person something tangible that they can do to make a difference in their world. It inspires people to believe that they too could learn the skills they need to get elected, and it provides a catalyst to discuss issues in an honest way. I highly recommend it to anyone motivated to make a difference.” – Janice Odom, Powell County
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Notes from the field
Balancing the Scales | 9
KFTC Organizer Apprentices reflect on their unique experiences and learning opportunities.
Aubrey Clemons: reflections on KFTC’s Black leadership By Aubrey Clemons At the February Jefferson County chapter meeting, during Black History Month, I wanted to give members an opportunity to learn about Aubrey Clemons and reflect on the work that black people have done with KFTC. I wanted to grow appreciation for what it was like for those folks building grassroots power. They were brave, and they made the organization stronger. Once I had the idea, I talked to other staff who pointed me to the book Making History: The First Ten Years of KFTC, the I Was There video, and information from our website and photo archives. Members and allies shared stories and resources. Appalshop
documented the work of leaders in eastern Kentucky, like Evelyn Williams. And the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression was a resource for learning more about Citizens Against Police Abuse, which formed in 1999 and of which KFTC was a part. I learned a lot about our members, past and present. I learned about Lamar Keys. He was KFTC’s chairperson from 2000-2002. Lamar lived in western Kentucky and organized a chapter in Union County. That chapter stopped a hazardous waste recycling plant from being built in a predominantly black neighborhood. Lamar loved driving across the state. He loved young people and started a community center. His story made me feel like there have been people just like me in KFTC. I learned about Evelyn Williams. She was a member of the Land Reform Committee and Knott County Chapter. Evelyn led efforts to end oil and gas company
Dolores screenings across the state KFTC worked with ITVS (a PBS subsidiary and creators of Independent Lens) to plan screenings of the new documentary about Dolores Huerta in March, for Women's History Month. Dolores tells the story of Dolores Huerta, among the most important yet least-known activists in U.S. history. Co-founder of the first farm workers’ union with Cesar Chavez, she tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice, becoming one of the most defiant feminists of the 20th century. Dolores will be shown nationwide on Independent Lens on March 27 on PBS. With unprecedented access to this intensely private mother of 11, Dolores chronicles Huerta’s life from her childhood in Stockton to her early years with the United Farm Workers, from her work with the headline-making grape boycott launched in 1965 to her role in the feminist movement of the 1970s to her continued work as a fearless activist. Featuring interviews with Gloria Steinem, Luis
Valdez, Hillary Clinton, Angela Davis, her children and more, Dolores is an intimate and inspiring portrait of a passionate champion of the oppressed and an indomitable woman willing to accept the personal sacrifices involved in committing one’s life to social change. The KFTC Jefferson County chapter worked with Speed Museum, Mijente Louisville and the ACLU of Kentucky to bring the film to Louisville in January. Screenings have already taken place in Paducah, Louisville and Bowling Green. Here are some additional screenings: Bowling Green (2 screenings) Thursday, March 15 at 6 p.m. at the Bob Kirby Branch of the Warren County Public Library 175 Iron Skillet Ct. With the Bowling Green Women’s Intercultural Cafe Wednesday, March 21 at 4:30 p.m. in the auditorium at Mass Media Technology Hall at WKU 1906 College Heights Blvd. With the WKU Holas and WKU Center for Citizenship and Social Justice Lexington Screening Friday, March 16, 2018, 6 p.m. at The Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center 300 E. Third Street With the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center
use of the broad form deed to drill on her and others’ land without permission. Members held a sit-in to block the road and keep the company and its equipment off her land. Evelyn understood the connections between racial justice, women’s rights and the environment. She was described as a reLamar Keys markable force of nature – a person who knew her history, her rights and her worth. Sometimes the identities of black people in Kentucky get hidden or erased, especially in rural communities. But we’re here. Black people across the state have and continue to organize. People Organized and Working for Energy Reform Evelyn Williams (POWER) was working with KFTC in my community in Louisville in the 1990s around utility rates and shutoffs. A child died trying to keep warm by candlelight, and people were determined to organize and not give up. Anna Shed was a leader in this campaign, and used the power of stories. “Nobody can tell it like you can. You know what’s going on in your household, and you know how you have to go about paying your utility bills and whatever else you have to go through. Nobody knows what you struggle through to keep your utilities on, to buy your medication if you’re sick, if people have children to try to get them in school and keep them in school, and try to stay warm.” These are just a few powerful member stories. There have been many more incredible black leaders in KFTC’s history, and are still today. During an icebreaker before the presentation, I asked members to share two words that come to mind when they think about black Kentuckians. I’ve been called lots of things as a black man, but during this exercise, members said other words. Courageous. Resilient. Beautiful. Strong. I hope chapter members left the meeting with a better understanding of the people who came before us and worked on issues impacting black Kentuckians. People seemed excited to take up the torch and shine a light on some of these issues.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
10 | Balancing the Scales
RACIAL justice
Reflections on Tanya Torp’s History of Racism presentation By Samantha La Mar The February Central Kentucky chapter meeting was a workshop facilitated by Tanya Torp discussing the history of racism in the United States. I remember in high school and throughout college realizing how white washed my history lessons had been. Even having taken AP History in high school I recall my teacher describing the Japanese Internment camps as “not as bad as the Holocaust” and moving on. But this workshop illuminated so much I did not know, while leaving many questions for future research and learning. Recapping all of what Tanya shared is impossible, so I’ll focus on two things which stood out most to me and share some recommended resources. One topic that continuously popped up was the lack of accurate history education in public schools and the idea of racial reconciliation as a myth which ignores our oppressive origins as a nation. Essentially, how can we return to a sense of coexistence which never existed? A prime example of the “mis-teaching” of racial history is how we are taught about the Black Panther Party. Responsible for many great things in our country today, such as school lunch and WIC [a special
supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children], many of us received education only on the violent actions of a few without any historical context or nuanced exploration of what would drive some toward violence as an answer (i.e., years of exploitation, oppression and mistreatment because of racism). Meanwhile the same history teacher probably made sure to let you know that there were white people who also participated in sit-ins (!). Another piece of Tanya’s workshop which really stood out to me was the information I learned about the exploitation of Native peoples in our nation’s history, beyond the “obvious” theft of their land. Learning about racist language in our founding documents was a shocking and impactful way to start the workshop. I personally tend to unintentionally exclude Native peoples when thinking about racial justice, when in reality the injustices executed against Native Americans were the beginning of the dark history of our country. Contextualizing many of the historical injustices discussed within modern-day racial issues is another important piece of educating ourselves on racial injustice as white people. For so many of the injustices Tanya mentioned, I was able to quickly see connections with issues people of color face today: •
Theft & exploitation of Native people’s land (historical): Dakota Access Pipeline (present day)
Courts delay end of DACA, for now A California court ruling, and a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court not to hear an appeal of that case, means that the DACA program will continue, at least for a few months. DACA was set to be terminated on March 5, by order of President Trump. Now it can continue, at least until legal challenges to Trump’s order make their way through the court system. DACA is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, an Obama program that allows some individuals who entered the United State without documentation as children to have deportation proceedings deferred for two years (renewable). More than 700,000 people have enrolled in that program. Last September Trump ordered an end to the program but delayed implementation for six months with the idea that Congress could pass a permanent solution. Congress has failed to do that, however. Earlier this year, a California court ruled that Trump ended DACA based on a flawed legal premise. The judge ordered the federal government to continue to process renewal permits. A New York court issued a similar ruling. But on March 5 a Maryland court dismissed a similar challenge to Trump’s action. Those cases will be appealed, with a round of appellate court rulings coming over the next few months. One or more of those cases eventually will come back to the Supreme Court. While permit renewals are being processed, no new applicants can apply for DACA during this period.
• •
Redlining (historical): Gentrification (present day) 1954 Deportation of Mexican-Americans (historical): ICE Raids (Present Day)
… and this is an extremely simplified and watered down version. The last piece I’d like to reflect on has to do with social class, and the misguided idea that low-income white people somehow have more of an understanding of racial injustice than economically advantaged whites. I think this is often an issue for white people and something that must be acknowledged and addressed head-on if true unity and respect is the goal. While income inequality is an important issue, being white and poor is far different than being a person of color and poor. This stands true today, and has been true throughout our nation’s history. Even programs designed to help and empower low-wage workers historically disenfranchised low-income black communities, such as their exclusion from Social Security during the 1930s and their exclusion from unionization. Ultimately, attending the workshop reminded me there is so much more to know about the history of race in our nation, and if we are not taught by the people who benefit from our ignorance it is our responsibility (especially as white people) to educate ourselves and seek out opportunities to be educated. There are a multitude of resources out there, but some Tanya shared include: • • • • • •
Racial Equity Institute (www.racialequityinstitute. org) Race: The Power of Illusion (Documentary) Glory (Movie) White Trash (Book) People’s History of the United States (book) The Color of Law (book)
To any white person reading, I also encourage you to see if your local area has a SURJ group (Showing Up for Racial Justice). There is far more to be done, and the role we play is educating ourselves and other white people and supporting the work and voices of people of color rather than co-opting spaces. If you’re also a white person who is confused, angry, (any plethora of emotions), I’d love to chat with you. Feel free to email me at samanthanlamar@gmail. com.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Balancing the Scales | 11
Building Grassroots Power
To Berea, With Love: Madison chapter hosts State of the City By Wendy Warren About 50 people gathered February 16 at Berea’s Acton Folk Center for the annual State of the City Address, hosted for the second year by the Madison County Chapter of KFTC. The theme for the evening was “To Berea, With Love.” Emcee Rebecca Tucker introduced Meta MendelReyes, who shared information about the grassroots mission of KFTC and invited a minute of silence to recognize students killed in that week’s Florida school shooting. This was followed by a panel discussion focused on community service. Each of four panelists was asked to share what inspired them to serve and what words of wisdom they would share with others who are considering serving the Berea community. Follow the Madison County chapter on – Twitter: @MadCo_KFTC, Facebook.com/ MadisonCountyKFTC/
Mike Hogg, recently re Collective calls for audactired superintendent of Berea ity ended the panel discussion, as Community Schools, cited his panelists encouraged community eighth grade teacher as a source members to enact their hopes and of inspiration. dreams as members of the com Historian and archivist munity. Sharyn Mitchell shared her Mayor Steve Connelly’s State family’s long history in Berea, of the City Address covered a a community intentionally range of topics from financial designed so black and white reports to community divisions. people would live side by side. He warned against a corporate Martina Leforce was inmindset seeping into government, spired to head Berea’s Sumsaying, “Not everything that is mer Food Program when she profitable has a social value, and recognized a pressing need to Adam Funck and Shane Wilcher at the not everything with social value is face Berea’s challenges through Berea State of the City Address. profitable.” collaborative efforts. The mayor also spoke of his Dr. Kennaria Brown shared her respect for Berea growing awareness of the need to increase his underpolice officers, gained through their work on diversity standing of racial issues on a deeper level. He asked the awareness, and a project that allowed student research- audience to consider the need to focus on shared values ers to learn about police work from the inside, as they and goals in order to meet the challenges and celebrate accompanied officers on calls. the strengths of the Berea we love.
Harlan, Cumberland chapter members excited about 2018 work In January and February, two eastern Kentucky chapters have started the year off with a bang. Harlan County chapter members met on January 25 and did some deep visioning on what they want the chapter to work on over the course of the next year, bringing long-time members as well as folks new to
KFTC together. “I'm excited for the direction the chapter is moving in. I believe this can be a great thing for Harlan County, and it can move Harlan in a very positive direction, for the benefit of all who live here,” Lily Milovnik, a Harlan County High School student, said in regards to the January chapter meeting. In addition to the powerful Harlan County chapter meeting, the newly formed Cumberland Chapter petitioned and officially became a chapter at the February steering committee meeting after a very strong chapter meeting in January. The chapter covers Laurel, Knox, Whitley and Pulaski counties. The group plans to focus on environmental justice, racial justice, voting rights and LGBTQ+ issues. At their February chapter meeting, members put some power behind vision and came up with action items At their January meeting, members at the Harlan County chapter and next steps to move them forward meeting did some deep visioning about their work ahead in 2018. on their four key work areas.
“I’m excited to be surrounded by like-minded folks who love their home and have the same progressive ideas as myself. I’m even more excited to be in a chapter that is local to me because it’s bringing more people together and the meetings aren’t too far away for me to attend now,” reflected Sarah-Sage Hoffman, a Cumberland Chapter member. As these chapters continue to dig further into developing their work, it’s clear that both are going to do exciting things in 2018!
Welcome!
to the new Cumberland Chapter with members in Knox, Laurel, Pulaski and Whitley counties
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
12 | Balancing the Scales
Building Grassroots Power
Residents share vision with legislators at Scott Co. town hall On February 24, members in Scott County hosted a town hall for residents to ask questions of their state legislators. The chapter invited all state legislators who represent part of Scott County to attend, with state Representatives Mark Hart and Phillip Pratt attending. In true Scott County chapter fashion, members made sure there was plenty of food and drink to share, helping residents feel comfortable and able to stay for the entire event. The event started at 3 p.m. with member Homer White moderating. He welcomed attendees and legislators, read through a list of rules, and worked to make sure that as many voices as possible were heard. The more than 40 people who turned out were interested in a wide range of topics. They challenged legislators on a range of issues, including gun control, protecting the social safety net, living wage and protecting pensions for state workers.
There were opportunities to thank the legislators too, with Rep. Mark Hart coming out in support of medical marijuana, Rep. Pratt removing his name from an anti-trans bathroom bill in the House, and both legislators coming out against a constitutional convention. Following an hour and a half with the legislators, the chapter had a short break before welcoming a local panel of members who talked about the issues they were concerned about. Member Taylor Bright from the Central Kentucky chapter spoke at length about the proposed changes to the state’s public employee retirement system, highlighting how changes would increase costs to pensioners by tens of thousands of dollars, and would make it easier for state legislators to further erode the pension plan in the future. Rosanne Klarer, a retired special needs teacher from Scott County, followed up by talking not just
about her being impacted by changes to pensions, but also the challenges in the governor's proposed budget. While some of the topics were tackled by the legislators, with Rep. Pratt admitting we need new revenue and Rep. Hart speculating there may a special legislative session for tax reform, there were other budgeting solutions they did not address. From the Kentucky Forward Plan that KFTC supports, to other options and Georgetown residents all spoke about their con- outlined by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy, cerns. Citing pollution, damaged roads, the accident there are solutions to pay for what Kentucky needs involving a school bus, and more, the public was decid- without further burdening lower and middle income Kentuckians. edly against the expansion. Member Brooklyn Alcorn, who also is an officer in An Iraqi War veteran and new father shared his concerns about expanding the dump, and what it Georgetown Fairness, shared her experiences going to would mean for his newborn daughter. A woman Scott County High School, Georgetown College and shared the terror caused by trucks that are too big for living in Georgetown. She talked about the need to their little roads driving by her house. And many peo- protect members of the LGBTQ+ community. Steps ple pointed to the need for a more responsible waste that can be taken include passing a fairness ordinance management plan, and the need for better recycling in for protecting LGBTQ+ folks from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation; Scott County. In the end, the planning and zoning board voted opposing the anti-trans bathroom bill; and protecting unanimously against rezoning the area, thus prevented the right of local governments to protect the rights of the expansion of the landfill. However, the court case community members. The panel ended with Leslie Bebensee talking related to the previous ruling is still pending. Residents are encouraged to continue to monitor about the need to protect green energy. From stopping the anti-solar House Bill 227, which would limit the this issue and watch for violations at the landfill. The success of those fighting the landfill thus benefits of rooftop solar for customers, to passing the far would not have happened without the dedica- Clean Energy Opportunity Act (House Bill 196), there tion of community members from the Scott County are plenty of actions Kentuckians can take. Neighbors for Health and Safety. This group was The entire panel pushed for the need to call legislators, meet with them in started by folks impacted Follow the Scott County chapter’s work on Frankfort or at home, talk by the landfill, and have social media – Twitter: @ScottCoKFTC, to neighbors, and use the been leading the fight to Facebook.com/scottcounty.kftc/ Legislative Message Line prevent the landfill expan(1-800-372-7181). sion.
Scott County residents get favorable ruling on zoning for landfill expansion Hundreds of Scott County residents came out in late January to oppose the application by the Central Kentucky Landfill to have 170+ acres rezoned from agricultural use to industrial in order to allow for an expansion of the landfill. This issue, which the Scott County chapter began working on last year, has seen renewed concern from residents living in the northern end of the county. The issue surfaced when the company proposed a larger expansion, which was denied by the planning and zoning board. The company then sought to get the county Board of Adjustments to rule in its favor with a ruling to re-zone the land. Upon losing the hearing, the company filed a lawsuit to reverse the Board of Adjustment ruling, and also filed the rezoning application. The January hearing included testimony from the company, testimony from a lawyer representing several interested parties in Scott County, and a planning expert. That lasted more than three and a half hours before the public comment came. Testimony dealt with traffic concerns (including a deadly accident last year), quality of life issues, local environmental concerns, and the history of complaints against the company. Residents from across Scott County spoke out against the application. Sadieville, Stamping Ground
Community panelists were, left to right, Leslie Bebensee, Brooklyn Alcorn, Taylor Bright and Rosanne Klarer.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Balancing the Scales | 13
Building Grassroots Power
NKY Victory! Newport passes syringe access exchange The Newport City Commission voted unanimously on February 26 to approve a Syringe Access Exchange. This was the result of concentrated grassroots work led by Newport residents over the past five months. Last October several Newport residents began attending city commission meetings to talk about the need for syringe access exchange, often referred to as a needle exchange, in their community. Partnering with Democratic Socialists of America of Metro Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, they began a campaign to build support for the exchange in their community. They began knocking on doors shortly after, and approached ally organizations to sign on to the campaign. In December, Simon Powell, a leader in the local DSA and member of the Northern Kentucky chapter, asked the chapter to officially sign on in support of the campaign. The chapter has been active in recovery work in the past with allies like People Advocating Recovery, and quickly agreed to sign on. As the campaign moved forward, with residents continuing to meet with city leaders, speak at meetings and talk with their neighbors, it became clear they were making headway. The Northern Kentucky Health Department provided needed information about the increasing risk of HIV and Hepatitis outbreaks in the region, with clusters of concerns in places like Newport, Silver Grove, Covington, Florence and Erlanger. Newport City Commissioner Ken Rechtin referFollow the Northern Kentucky chapter on – Instagram at northernky_KFTC, Twitter: @ NKY_KFTC, Facebook.com/nky.kftc.
enced the work around this issue at the chapter’s Unpack Politics forum in November, saying that the work of residents of the Westside neighborhood had moved him and other members of the commission to being in favor of an exchange. In January DSA drafted a letter calling for the commission to act, and asked allies to sign on. The local KFTC chapter and allies at Northern Kentucky Justice and Peace did, and helped circulate it to local businesses, drop it off during canvasses and share it on social media. At the same time, members planned a community conversation with the health department, KFTC and DSA member Rose Curtin talked during the Newport City ComNewport residents and others to mission meeting of those who would benefit from a syringe exchange. talk about what types of exchanges Peace Committee helped make sure there was standlooked like. The community conversation saw more than 60 ing room only, and one by one the city commissioners people crowd into New Hope Christian Center in talked about how it was time to take up the topic of Newport to hear what proponents had to say. Rose needle exchange. Once they opened up the floor for Curtin, another leader in DSA and KFTC member, questions from residents, not a one opposed the idea spoke about how it was past time for an exchange, of having an exchange. The only question was what how dirty needles were in our communities already, would the details be. and that an exchange would be the first step in helping The next meeting was February 26, and the allies build a healthier community. She talked of those she again called for turnout. Again the meeting was standknew and cared for who were victims of addiction, ing room only, and the Northern Kentucky KFTC and the struggles children who are put into the system chapter livestreamed the meeting’s successful vote. Though people are excited for the victory, they deal with. This was followed by a presentation from mem- know more work is needed. Folks plan on canvassing bers of the Northern in Newport about the exchange once it opens, and Kentucky Health De- on Tuesday, February 27 were at the Covington City partment about the po- Commission meeting to encourage that city to honor tential impact that a its commitment to a needle exchange, and to enact one program could have at least as strong as Newport had. in stopping HIV and Allies hope to eventually have more exchanges Hepatitis outbreaks, open across northern Kentucky, with greater opportuas well as encouraging nities regarding availability and ability to access other people to seek treat- health department services at exchange sites. DSA leader and KFTC member Daniel Merrill ment for addiction. O n F e b r u a r y described the organic, grassroots growth of the cam12, the Newport City paign: “Organizationally we had to learn to do this Commission had a from scratch ... we came up and designed it ourselves public caucus meeting as we were doing it. One of the most positive things that DSA livestreamed we've [DSA] done. People were so happy to see us and on Facebook. KFTC, talk about the work. A lot of people were excited to see DSA and Northern us there, and we are excited to go back. This is just the Kentucky Justice and beginning of our work in the west side of Newport."
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
14 | Balancing the Scales
member reflection
Task force visit reinforces the need for medical marijuana By Eric Simpson, Rowan County Common wisdom states that the only people who have the time to care about politics are students and the retired. But when my roommate was invited to visit Secretary of State Alison Grimes’ medical marijuana task force to watch her announce the introduction of House Bill 166 for medical marijuana, I leapt at the chance to go with her. She arranged a ride with a teacher of hers, and upon his arrival with his partner, we were off to Frankfort. It took little time for me to get comfortable in the vehicle, and despite the rain making every attempt to be an emblem of the day, we all spoke together on the possibilities medical marijuana could open for the state we live in. While I spend a lot of time either informing people on politics or being informed, very rarely do I get these moments to just build ideas off like minds. It felt encouraging, and confirmed to me that these silly goals like medical marijuana aren’t really that silly, but that people actually put concern in these topics. When we hit the left turn onto the road leading to the courthouse, I was left in awe of the architecture of the courthouse. The bridge we passed was surrounded by trees on either side, leaving the capitol building in the clear grand center. Its architecture left an impression of permanence on me. We set foot in the building, made light jokes with the security guards and, after asking directions, we headed to the task force meeting. Walking into the room, I became nervous at the sight of so many people, as I usually do. The people I came with quickly engaged the room. Free copies of the bill were being passed out in the back of the room. The teacher and his partner quickly began going over a copy, while my neighbor started to talk with one of Alison Grimes’ secretaries. I picked a chair near the front, graciously took a bottle
Rowan County members Eric Simpson and Courtney Jackson with Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Grimes.
of water offered to me by a guy in a suit, and waited for the meeting to begin. An older gentleman sat next to me. He had longer hair, a big ring and a wooden cane. With a smile he began asking me general first-encounter questions. “What county you from?” “What brings you here?” He told me he was a supporter of medical marijuana and that he had just finished organizing his town to build a statue of a local hero. He spoke with pride about that statue, and you could tell the vigor he brought to the tasks that caught his eye. Secretary Grimes then took the stage, with many people filing in behind and around her. She began introducing each person who stood with her. Erik Crawford, who was involved in a car wreck when he was young, began to speak at length about the amount of medicine he was prescribed; it was enough
House Bill 166 received a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on March 5. Testimony was given in support of the bill, but no vote was taken. Committee Chair Rep. Joe Fischer said the discussion would be continued at a future committee meeting. Supporters estimated that 100,000 to 150,000 patients in Kentucky would benefit now from medical marijuana.
Thanks
to fill a half-gallon bag. Crawford, from his wheelchair, began to denounce the effects of his medications, with a special focus on the opiates he’d been given for chronic pain. He demanded an answer to this question: Why prescribe something that leads to three overdoses per hour when we have an alternative which does not? Next to speak was United States Army Veteran Eric Pollock. Like the soldier he is, not a punch was pulled when he opened his mouth. His first statement was that 22 veterans a day kill themselves. He then described his personal experience with a recent friend of his who had committed suicide. “They give you painkillers to lay you down, and then they take them away.” He spoke of the horror of psychological medicines’ extra effects, like sleep paralysis. I was left truly moved. Many other speakers with other takes on this issue all took gracious turns explaining how beneficial medical marijuana is to communities – from the epileptic, to the depressed. I was left mildly confused at the argument that wasn’t being brought up. So when, immediately after the speakers were finished and Grimes began making rounds to her visitors, I took it as a chance to bring the argument to her. When I addressed her she smiled and took my hand, listening intently in a bustling room. “Mrs. Grimes,” I explained, “tobacco is a dying crop, but marijuana is the crop to make up for that. Tobacco is soon enough going to be phased out, but marijuana can offer a career path for every ‘hillbilly’ of this state who wants to work in the soil, me included. My family lost collectively 80 acres over the past decade, mostly because there was no crop to keep it up. But marijuana could’ve been the crop.” She listened. And in that moment, that’s all I wanted as a citizen – to feel listened to. We were allowed to take our copies of the bill, and we returned home. Since then, our KFTC chapter has organized a vote in fiscal court over a resolution allowing medical marijuana to be dispensed in our town, should the bill pass. And while the ordinance did not pass, we’ve continued to organize ourselves around this topic. Because now that the question of medical marijuana has been asked, the cat is finally out of the bag.
for being a member or supporter of KFTC. You make the work you read about in Balancing the Scales possible – 36 years of it!
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Balancing the Scales | 15
member reflections
Liberation theology and spiritual journeys By Allison Crawford I’m wondering what I was thinking when I agreed to write 600 words on a liberation theology workshop series. Who am I to share reflections on theology? I haven’t been to any kind of religious service for years. I’m not versed in theology. I don’t even know what kind of spiritual label I fit under. This is where I’m coming from. I compare the first 18 years of my spiritual life to a film negative, something stark and colorless. Most of those years were spent trying to mash myself into a Christian “box.” Church was a mostly disempowering place and I never felt confident that I was a true Christian. It wasn’t until my sophomore year of college that I finally escaped that forced spirituality. My new friend from the environmental club and I were peoplewatching in the student center when I asked him if he believed in Christianity. He said, “No.” For some reason, that’s all I needed to let go. That’s when my spiritual journey really began. Over the next several years, I found meaning in environmental activism. Once I learned of the apocalyptic future we faced if we didn’t curb our carbon emissions, nothing seemed more important than stopping climate change. Six years later, it still feels like we’re doomed. There’s definitely no preventing the worst impacts
of climate change. Layer on top of that the current state of the nation and the world and our situation seems pretty hopeless. This feeling of hopelessness is where my lack of spiritual clarity has come back to bite me. As I’m sure you realize, the struggle for a brighter future is physically and emotionally draining. To cope, many activists turn to their spirituality or faith. Witnessing people truly live their faith through activism has helped me see beyond my spiritual negative to the great wisdom held within our world’s myriad religions. In search of the peace that religious wisdom may bring, I attended the Liberation Theology Workshop Series (sponsored by the Central Kentucky KFTC chapter and others). Through the series, I realized I feel closer to Jesus now than I ever did when I was trying to be a Christian. Jesus was a radical activist who lived as he taught, defied authority and embodied love in his every action, even in his death. It brings me hope to know that there is a whole sect of Christianity that sees Jesus in this light and does its best to carry on his true legacy. And though I don’t consider myself a Christian, it brings me great comfort to know I’m also carrying on in that legacy through activism. It helps me feel more connected to my family, my heritage and people of faith around the world. This sense of connection feels like the source of strength I’ve been searching for, a source of color to brighten these dark days.
What is the cost of paying less in taxes? By Grace McKenzie A first look at my paycheck in January and I thought, “This is wrong. Something must be off with my deductions.” Suddenly, I remembered the change in tax law and my stomach sank. I checked and sure enough, the difference was based on less federal taxes being taken out. The problem is I didn’t want this additional money in my pocket. I appreciate paying taxes and knowing they are going to keep up our infrastructure, make sure people’s basic needs are met, and provide a robust education for children in our nation. Since I have all my basic needs met and know the needs of our school system, these extra dollars in my check felt like dirty money. After 2025, all of the individual tax cuts are set to expire, while corporate tax cuts are permanent. These
individual tax cuts feel like a buyout to me, like if we see more money in our paycheck we won’t think about the corporate tax cuts or we won’t consider how current programs will be cut to make up for the loss of income through taxes. I had a strong desire to use those extra funds in a way that will works towards supporting justice. My husband and I are considering our options, including donating to specific campaigns for the 2018 mid-term elections, donating to organizations that will support getting underrepresented people to the polls, and increasing our Sustaining Gift to KFTC. If your needs are met and your take-home pay increased based on a tax law you don’t support, how can you make sure those dollars support work you do believe in? You may have gotten a small tax break or a big one, but what can we do collectively with those dollars to support positive change in our nation?
Contact members of Congress Sen. Mitch McConnell (202) 224-2541 – Washington (502) 582-6304 – Louisville (859) 224-8286 – Lexington (859) 578-0188 – Fort Wright (606) 864-2026 – London (270) 781-1673 – Bowling Green (270) 442-4554 – Paducah Sen. Rand Paul (202) 224-4343 (270) 782-8303 (859) 219-2239 (502) 582-5341 (270) 689-9085 (270) 885-1212
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Washington Bowling Green Lexington Louisville Owensboro Hopkinsville
U.S. House Members Rep. James Comer, 1st District (202) 225-3115 – Washington (270) 487-9509 – Madisonville (270) 408-1865 – Paducah (270) 487-9509 – Tompkinsville Rep. Brett Guthrie, 2nd District (202) 225-3501 – Washington (270) 842-9896 – Bowling Green Rep. John Yarmuth, 3rd District (202) 225-5401 – Washington (502) 933-5863 – Louisville (502) 582-5129 – Louisville Rep. Thomas Massie, 4th District (202) 225-3465 – Washington (606) 324-9898 – Ashland (502) 265-9119 – LaGrange (859) 426-0080 – Crescent Springs Rep. Hal Rogers, 5th District (202) 225-4601 – Washington (606) 679-8346 – Somerset (606) 886-0844 – Prestonsburg (606) 439-0794 – Hazard Rep. Andy Barr, 6th District (202) 225-4706 – Washington (859) 219-1366 – Lexington
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
16 | Balancing the Scales
Just Transition Update ACTION: Tell Senator McConnell “Pass the RECLAIM Act” Right now is a critical moment for the RECLAIM Act, a bill in Congress that would direct $1 billion from the Abandoned Mine Lands Fund to be invested over the next five years to support a Just Transition in communities affected by the decline of coal mining. Congress is working to pass a new budget by March 23. It is essential that the RECLAIM Act is included as part of that budget package. For that to happen, the RECLAIM Act must have the support of Senator Mitch McConnell, majority leader of the U.S. Senate. Please take action today
During a recent Southern Kentucky chapter meeting, Pete Zielinski and Denise Zielinski called members to inform them about proposals calling for a federal constitutional convention. Photo by Renee Deemer.
1. Call Senator McConnell at 202-601-3839. Ask him to include the House version of the RECLAIM Act in the budget that Congress must pass by March 23. 2. Learn more and keep up to date at: http://kftc.org/reclaim The RECLAIM Act, sponsored by Kentucky’s 5th District Rep. Hal Rogers, could bring $100 million to Kentucky to repair our land and water in places that are struggling with the decline of the coal industry. The bill was created to fund the reclamation of old strip mine sites in ways that would create economic and community development. The bill has strong grassroots support, including a letter (soon to be released) signed by 15 Kentucky county judge-executives who represent coal-producing counties in Kentucky, and resolutions passed by more than 20 cities and counties. Now the RECLAIM Act needs the support of Kentucky’s senior senator. You can help win that.
KFTC members in Frankfort to lobby against House Bill 227 included Henry Jackson, Tona Barkley, Rachel Norton, Virginia Meagher and Nancy Reinhart with her children.
Help KFTC members in Frankfort and throughout Kentucky! Name(s): ________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ City, state & Zip: __________________________________________
Give online at kftc.org/support
I would rather make a one-time gift of: □$100 □$50 □$25 □$15 □$5 Other: $__________ Suggested dues are $15-$50 annually, based on ability to pay. Any amount is welcome.
Step Two: Payment Method:
Phone: ________________________________________________
□ Check or money order enclosed
Email: ________________________________________________
□ Electronic Funds Transfer (best option for Sustaining Givers). Please return this form with a voided check.
Select which organization you would like to donate to: □ KFTC: Donations to KFTC are not tax-deductible. We encourage you to give to KFTC this spring to support our democracy work.
□ Kentucky Coalition: Donations to Kentucky Coalition are tax-deductible.
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 make a bigger impact.
Make me a Sustaining Giver! I will contribute $ _____ every:
□ Month □ Quarter □ Year
To update an existing Sustaining Gift, contact Ashley at 606-878-2161 or Ashley@kftc.org
□ Credit card: Complete information below.
□ Visa □ Mastercard □ Am. Express □ Discover
Card Number: __ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ Expiration Date ___ ___ / ___ ___ Authorized Signature: ____________________________ Date: _________________ Mail this form with your check to: KFTC • P.O. Box 1450 • London, Ky. 40743
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Balancing the Scales | 17
2018 General Assembly
KFTC’s 2018 Legislative Issues Here’s a list of some of the bills KFTC has a position on in the 2018 General Assembly, through March 5. Other bills are under review. More than 1,350 bills and resolutions have been introduced. The KFTC Executive Committee serves as the legislative strategy team and reviews bills and amendments weekly. For a current update, visit www.kftc.org/bill-tracker.
Legislation: KFTC Supports
Issue
Summary
More information
Tax Reform House Bill 29
HB 29, the Kentucky Forward Plan, would make Kentucky’s tax system more fair, adequate and sustainable with a broad variety of reforms to close corporate loopholes and have the wealthy pay more for a fair share.
KFTC’s platform supports creating a just economy that sustains communities, families and individuals, and establishing an equitable, fair and progressive tax structure.
Clean Energy Opportunity Act House Bill 196
HB 196 would require utilities to use increasing amounts of renewable energy, take energy-efficiency measures and implement energy-efficiency programs.
KFTC’s platform supports the development of a clean energy economy in Kentucky. HB 196 could be an important step toward implementing the Empower Kentucky Plan (visit EmpowerKentucky.org).
Voting Rights House Bill 376
HB 376, the Restoration of Voting Rights Amendment, sets KFTC’s platform calls for restoring voting rights to former a statewide vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to felons. automatically restore voting rights to most former felons upon the completion of their sentence.
Statewide Fairness House Bill 195
HB 195 would prohibit discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations and financial transactions on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
KFTC’s platform opposes and condemns discrimination. HB 195 would apply statewide what nine Kentucky cities have passed.
Minimum Wage Increase Senate Bill 17
SB 17 would increase the minimum wage for many workers to $10.10 per hour by 2020, and for tipped workers to $4.90 per hour by 2021.
KFTC’s platform calls for a living wage for all Kentuckians.
Death Penalty Abolition HB 155, SB 54
HB 155 and Senate Bill 54 would abolish the death penalty and create a sentence of life imprisonment without parole.
KFTC’s platform supports the abolition of the death penalty.
Ban the Box House Bill 28
HB 28 would make it unlawful to require a job applicant to KFTC’s platform opposes discrimination based on current or disclose their criminal history prior to an offer of employment. former incarceration status.
Renters’ Rights House Bill 550
HB 550, the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) would apply statewide standards to encourage “landlords and tenants to maintain and improve the quality of housing.” These standards already exist with local governments having the option, but not requirement, to adopt them.
KFTC’s platform recognizes that good health is determined by a wide range of social and economic factors, including housing. We support quality, affordable, accessible housing for all. We demand just housing policies that protect the rights of renters to be treated fairly and encourage resident involvement.
See page 14 for an update on House Bill 166, the medical marijuana bill. Other updates at www.kftc.org/bill-tracker.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
18 | Balancing the Scales
2018 General Assembly
Legislation: KFTC Opposes
Issue
Summary
More information
Net Metering House Bill 227
HB 227 is a utility company bill that redefines net metering and lowers compensation rates for energy put into the grid, undermining rooftop solar. HB 227 is designed to end netmetering as we know it, also hurting Kentucky’s independent solar installers.
Federal Constitutional Convention HJR 81
Passage of House Joint Resolution 81 would add Kentucky KFTC’s platform supports a healthy democracy. A Constituto the list of states supportive of a constitutional convention, tional Convention would be a huge threat to our democracy. opening up the U.S. Constitution for change. Kentucky would be the 29th state of the 34 needed if this resolution passes.
State Budget House Bill 200
HB 200 is the current budget proposal with massive cuts or KFTC’s platform supports funding effective and efficient elimination of programs. An accompanying House Bill 366 community services through an equitable, fair and progressive raises new revenue but falls well short of what is needed. tax structure.
State Pensions Senate Bill 1
SB 1 would make substantive changes to the type and amount KFTC believes that all people should receive a living wage, of pension benefits that public employees receive, reducing including the retirement benefits that workers have been benefits and ending the inviolable contract for new hires. promised and earned.
Juvenile Justice House Bill 169
HB 169 would layer on the punishment against young people who are alleged to have ever had a gang association. It would promote racial profiling and focus on punishment rather than prevention.
KFTC’s platform supports a transition to a more restorative justice system that honors the inherent dignity of all individuals. We oppose the inappropriate use of police powers, call for an immediate end to the mass incarceration of people of color, and the practices of mass incarceration.
Anti-marriage House Bill 372
HB 372 bans enforcement of civil rights laws for same-sex couples if the violator claims a religious exemption.
The KFTC platform condemns and opposes discrimination, oppression and harassment of all people based on gender, gender identity, gender expression, familial status and other defining characteristics.
KFTC’s platform calls for energy policies that promote the development of community-scale, locally owned renewable energy sources, create local jobs and help low-wealth households, enterprises and communities access energy efficiency and clean energy. This bill attempts to do just the opposite.
Other bills that KFTC supports, opposes or is watching are on the Bill Tracker: www.kftc.org/bill-tracker
Ways to stay informed of KFTC’s work in the Kentucky General Assembly • Like us on Facebook: www.kftc.org/facebook • Make sure you’re on our email list for action alerts: www.kftc.org/get-involved • Visit our General Assembly web page for lobbying days, rallies and other actions, handouts and other resources: www.kftc.org/general-assembly
KFTC Knott County members and folks from the LGBTQ+ Allyance Club at Hazard Community and Technical College participated in the Fairness Lobby Day.
• Join a local Action for Democracy Team in your chapter area, or join the at-large Action for Democracy Team. Contact your local organizer or Alicia@kftc.org.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
Balancing the Scales | 19
KFTC News
Steering Committee adopts 2018 Program of Work The KFTC Steering Committee met in Berea on February 3 to establish the organization’s 2018 Program of Work. The Program of Work is a living document that sets KFTC’s key strategies and objectives for the calendar year. The committee also accepted a new chapter petition from the Cumberland KFTC work group, which includes Laurel, Pulaski, Whitley and Knox counties. Chairperson Meta Mendel-Reyes of Madison County opened the meeting by reminding Steering Committee members that the day’s discussion should build on the committee’s evaluation of the organization’s work in 2017, discussed at the December Steering Committee meeting. Mendel-Reyes then invited members to lift up some new and good work to frame the day’s discussion. “I joined KFTC about a year ago. I feel that something good that has come from the 2016 election is making new friends through activism,” Teresa Christmas of the Southern Kentucky chapter shared. “I know I am in the right place right now.” Before the committee transitioned to discussing the 2018 Program of Work, David Miller of Knox County submitted a new chapter petition on behalf of the proposed Cumberland chapter. He highlighted
KFTC welcomes Laura Greenfield for data visualization project Laura Greenfield will be working with the KFTC staff team on a part-time basis through the end of this year. She will be doing research and data visualization in support of KFTC’s Just Transition work, especially but not exclusively in eastern Kentucky. She will also provide research and analysis that supports the integrated voter engagement work of local democracy teams throughout the state. Greenfield worked with a team of KFTC members to put together the Environmental Justice Analysis that was part of KFTC’s Empower Kentucky Plan (www.empowerkentucky.org/).
that the group in the Cumberland region (Laurel, Pulaski, Whitley and Knox counties) have been meeting consistently to build grassroots power in the region. The Steering Committee voted unanimously to accept the petition for the new Cumberland chapter. Amid a round of applause, Miller mentioned the work that the chapter has done, including helping local residents sign up for health insurance in three counties and supporting full funding for public pensions at multiple town halls in the region, and some upcoming chapter plans “We’ve hit the ground running, and we are ready to keep running with you all,” Miller said. Mendel-Reyes continued the meeting and anchored the committee’s analysis of grassroots power with an assessment of KFTC’s strengths, areas for growth, threats and opportunities that are on the horizon for the organization. Dana Beasley-Brown of the Southern Kentucky chapter noted how the organization works to build power and emphasized that “investing in KFTC makes long-term change attainable.” Chandra Cruz-Thomson of the Jefferson County
chapter noted that investments that the organization made in 2017 have helped build grassroots power in the state, “I wouldn’t be with KFTC if it weren’t for the Organizer Apprentice program. It brought me into a meeting and I loved it.” All agreed that the organization’s main strength is grassroots power and asked Steering Committee members to consider some key strategies and objectives that will help KFTC build on that strength during the calendar year. Joy Fitzgerald of Shelby County noted, “The mechanisms to achieving a strong statewide organization is building strong chapters.” KFTC vice-chairperson Randy Wilson added that it is imperative to “get people involved in getting real progressives in office.” He also emphasized, “The dial is starting to move and the political landscape is starting to shift. The organization must ask how do we engage voters beyond election day.” The committee discussed many, diverse strategies for KFTC to pursue throughout the coming year in depth. As the meeting adjourned, committee members were excited about their ambitions for the year.
Save the Date!
KFTC’s Annual Membership Meeting will be on a new weekend and in a new location this year. We’ll meet the first weekend in August (3-5) at Berea College. Mark the dates and look for registration information in the coming weeks.
www.kftc.org | March 6, 2018
20 | Balancing the Scales
calendar of events
KFTC OFFICES and STAFF MAIN OFFICE
March 15 Chapter meeting – Shelby County 6 p.m. at the Stratton Center 215 Washington Street in Shelbyville Info: Becky@kftc.org or 502-741-8759
March 26 Chapter meetings – Madison County 7 p.m. at Berea Friends Meeting House 300 Harrison Street, Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713
Morgan Brown, Burt Lauderdale, Ashley Frasher, Angel Hill and Jacob Mack-Boll 131 North Mill Street P.O. Box 1450 | London, Kentucky 40743 606-878-2161 | Fax: 606-878-5714
March 15 Chapter meeting – Rowan County 6 p.m., St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Info: Nikita@kftc.org or 502-488-3830
March 27 – KFTC Day at Mellow Mushroom with the Central Kentucky chapter, 4-9 p.m. 503 S Upper Street in Lexington Info: Meredith@kftc.org or 859-276-0563
FIELD OFFICES
March 15 – Chapter meeting Central Kentucky, 7 p.m. Episcopal Mission House 203 E. 4th Street, Lexington Info: Meredith@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 March 17 and April 21 – third and fourth training sessions for KFTC’s initial Organizing Academy Leader Cohort. Topics: Base Building, Leadership Development, Meeting Facilitation and Creating Agendas; Grassroots Fundraising Info: Beth@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 March 18 – chapter meeting Western Kentucky chapter 3 p.m. in Mayfield Info: Lesley@kftc.org or 270-282-4553 March 20 and April 17 Chapter meeting – Northern Kentucky 7 p.m. at Center for Great Neighborhoods 321 W. 12th Street, Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103
March 27 and April 24 Chapter meetings – Southern Kentucky 6 p.m. at Foundry Community Center 531 W 11th Ave. in Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989 March 31 KFTC Steering Committee meetings 10:30 - 4:30, location TBA Info: Heather@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 April 5 and May 3 – Potluck and chapter meeting, Scott County 6:30 p.m., Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane in Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 April 20 – KFTC Day at Doodles restaurant with the Central Kentucky chapter 8 a.m. - 12 noon, 262 N Limestone, Lexington Info: Meredith@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 Find an occasionally updated list of events at www.kftc.org/calendar
Are you receiving Kentucky Watch, with legislative updates and action alerts from KFTC, via email? If not, then we don’t have a current email address for you. To remedy that, send an email to Ashley@kftc.org and ask to be added to the list.
Louisville Elizabeth Adami, Aubrey Clemons, Alicia Hurle, Becky Jones and Carissa Lenfert 735 Lampton Street #202 Louisville, Ky. 40203 502-589-3188 Bowling Green Molly Kaviar, Laura Harper, Lesley Garrett, Alex Goldsmith and James Line 958 Collett Ave., Suite 500 Bowling Green, Ky. 42101 270-282-4553 Northern Kentucky Joe Gallenstein and Caitlin Sparks 640 Main Street Covington, Ky. 41005 859-380-6103 Central Kentucky Jessica Hays Lucas, Beth Howard, Heather Mahoney, Erik Hungerbuhler, Meredith Wadlington, Tyler Offerman, Sharon Murphy, Tayna Fogle, DeBraun Thomas and Nikita Perumal 250 Plaza Drive, Suite 4 Lexington, Ky 40503 859-276-0563 Floyd County Jessie Skaggs and Jerry Hardt 152 North Lake Drive • P.O. Box 864 Prestonsburg, Ky 41653 606-263-4982 Berea Lisa Abbott, Amy Hogg, Kevin Pentz, Sasha Zaring and Michael Harrington 210 N. Broadway, Unit #3 Berea, Ky 40403
859-756-4027
Email any staff member at firstname@kftc.org except for Jessica Hays Lucas, use jessicabreen@ kftc.org; Beth Howard, use bethhoward@kftc.org