May 2017 - balancing the scales

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

balancing the

scales

Volume 36 Number 3

May 23, 2017

The Empower Kentucky Plan

EMPOWER KENTUCKY

Two-year grassroots effort produces plan that supports jobs, health and equality.

• C02 pollution reduced 40% • $387 million for Just Transition www.empowerkentucky.org

KFTC’s commitment to grassroots organizing ..................................... 3 Standing up against hate and intolerance .................................... 6 Participatory budgeting ........... 7 Resistance to Bevin tax plan ...10

Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Lexington, Ky. Permit No. 513

Grassroots experts shaping Kentucky’s new energy economy Pages 11-12

ANNUAL MEETING August 25-27 at General Butler Park • Annual chapter meetings • Nominations for KFTC statewide leaders and committees Pages 13-18 …

and more!

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

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

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Table of Contents Executive Committee Corner: Ramping up KFTC’s commitment to grassroots organizing ...................................................... 3 Racial Justice: Building anti-racism in white poor and working class areas...................... 5 Values-based Nazi counter rally to be rescheduled .................................................................. 5 Local Updates Bereans unite against acts of hate and intolerance ................................................................... 6 Participatory Budgeting: Your chapter can do it, too! ............................................................... 7 Member op-ed: Louisville budget lacks compassion ................................................................ 8 Western Kentucky members hold Comer accountable on health care .............................. 8 Economic Justice U.S. House votes to repeal key parts of Affordable Care Act.................................................. 9 Kentucky reps in Congress not standing up for Kentuckians’ interests.............................. 9 Resistance growing to expected Bevin tax restructuring ...................................................... 10 Empower Kentucky: New jobs! Better health! Just Transition! The Empower Kentucky Plan........................ 11-12 KFTC grassroots experts present Empower Kentucky Plan to state officials . .............. 12 2017 Annual Membership Meeting 2017 annual meeting will take place August 25-27 at General Butler State Park ........ 13 Annual chapter meetings ................................................................................................................... 13 August annual meeting early registration form . ....................................................................... 14 Nominations for KFTC Executive Committee . ........................................................................... 15 Nominations for Kentucky Coalition board ...................................................................................16 Mail-in nominations forms .................................................................................................................. 17 Nominations for statewide committees ....................................................................................... 18 KFTC News Thanks for a successful Spring Campaign...................................................................................... 4 Steering Committee.................................................................................................................................19 KFTC Calendar of Events..................................................................................................................... 20

Cover: Present for the Empower Kentucky Plan release press conference on April 19 were Gail Chandler, Laura Greenfield, Chris Woolery, Josh Bills, Cassia Herron, Bobby Carey and Mary Love.

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

Instagram

@kentuckiansforthecommonwealth To find our photos on Flickr:

@KFTC @NKY_KFTC @ScottCoKFTC @MadCo_KFTC @EKY_KFTC

@JCKFTC @WT_KFTC @SoKyKFTC @VotingRightsKY @CanaryProject

www.flickr.com/ photos/KFTCphotos

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 3

executive committee corner

Ramping up KFTC’s commitment to grassroots organizing

By Dana Beasley Brown Early this year, KFTC grassroots members and leaders from across the commonwealth gathered to assess the current political reality.

It was a sobering moment when real anxieties, concerns and fears were laid bare. Honest conversations created space to look back at the 2016 election and the work that lay in front of us.

Times of upheaval often force us to reexamine our core values. Who are we? Who do we want to be?

In that meeting, the disorientation of the 2016 election ultimately gave way to clear direction for the year to come. By building a shared analysis and creating a plan to work toward our vision, the magic of KFTC came alive. The energy turned from despair to hope.

This transformation happened not because

we brought in a numbers expert or a an organizing academy for members. policy analyst, but because ordinary At its core, grassroots organizing is listening, Kentuckians from all walks of life but it is being especially attuned to those who listened and dreamed together. have been silenced. In Kentucky, there are many Stories reminded us not just of who who sit in silence – dismissed, rejected and shut we were, but who we wanted to be out of democracy. The mother who fears for her and what we wanted for the future son’s life because of the color of his skin; the immigrant family afraid of being torn apart; of Kentucky.

Listening and storytelling are the former coal miner who leaves the land he the foundation of authentic democratic loves to find work; and the former felon who change. This is who KFTC is. This is what will yearns to vote. Each have a unique story that heal us from this moment in history and continue is not only worthy to be heard, but important to drive us toward a Kentucky where all voices to move us forward.

I am proud to be a part of KFTC. Together, are heard and people matter over profits.

I am excited that KFTC, in the coming we continue to listen and to lift up the voices of ordinary extraordinary year, will double down Watch for an public Kentuckians all across on our commitment to announcement about our commonwealth. grassroots organizing. We KFTC’s new Organizer Through these powerful will embody our vision Apprentice Program acts, we are not simply by hiring 13 organizing on June 1. resisting the current apprentices and creating reality, we are shaping the democracy we dream of.

Everyday ways to support KFTC!

Kroger Community Rewards: We are organization #10888 Krogercommunityrewards.com

Amazon Smile: Kentucky Coalition Inc. www.smile.amazon.com/

what does it mean to be a kftc member?

• You’re part of a community of people who share a vision for Kentucky.

• You get to impact issues that are important to you. You’ll receive informa­ tion, training and opportunities to speak directly with decision makers.

• You get to amplify your voice and build New Power. Working together, we can do so much more than any of us can do alone.

• You get fellowship and fun with others who share your values.

Save the date!

KFTC Annual Membership Meeting August 25 - 27 General Butler State Park More info and early registration details start on page 13

Balancing the Scales is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and mailed third class from Lexington, Kentucky. Reader contri­ b utions and letters to the editor should be sent to P.O. Box 864, Prestonsburg, Kentucky 41653 or jhardt@kftc.org.

Subscriptions are $20/yr.

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

4 | Balancing the Scales

to

n o y E ve r

e

Y

THANK

U

Thanks to all of you who made a gift during KFTC’s spring membership and fundraising campaign! Hundreds of folks joined KFTC or renewed their membership. We also gained new Sustaining Givers, had some great conversations, and received kind notes of encouragement. Thanks to everyone who supports KFTC’s work, this summer we’re bringing on a dozen Organizer Apprentices who will learn about community organizing and help build grassroots power across Kentucky.

You can still make a gift to support this work. Just fill out the form below.

Join KFTC, renew your membership or become a Sustaining Giver today.

Join KFTC, renew your membership or become a Sustaining Giver today.

NAME:

_____________________________________________

ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ CITY:

_____________________________________________

STATE & ZIP: ____________________________

_________

HOME PHONE: ________________ CELL PHONE: ________________ EMAIL:

_____________________________________________

Select what organization you would like to donate to: □ KFTC: Membership dues and donations are not tax-deductible. □ Kentucky Coalition: Membership dues and donations are tax-deductible.

Join or renew online: www.KFTC.org/donate

Become A Sustaining Giver: Your automatic, recurring gift provides steady

income to support KFTC’s work throughout the year. Become a Sustaining Giver or update an existing Sustaining Gift today, and help build power to achieve our vision for Kentucky.

Make me a Sustaining Giver!

I will contribute $ _____ every: □ Month □ Quarter □ Year

To update an existing Sustaining Gift, contact Ashley at ashley@kftc.org or (606) 878-2161.

I would rather make a one-time gift of: □$250 □$100 □$50 □$25 □$15 □$5 Other Amount: $_______ Suggested membership dues are $15-$50 annually, based on ability to pay. We welcome you to give whatever amount you are able.

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 5

Racial Justice

Building anti-racism in white poor and working class areas

By Sharon Murphy

On April 18-21 KFTC staff member Joe Gallenstein and I attended the Organizing to Win: Building AntiRacism in White Poor and Working Class Communities convening at the Highlander Center hosted by the Catalyst Project. The convening included many other social justice organizations from across the country. We opened the convocation with a family tree activity. The activity was very eye-opening because some people in the room couldn’t trace the family tree as far back as others. This led to the discussion on how slavery has affected African Americans’ ability to trace back their ancestry and how our lineages determine one’s economic status today.

Later we got into groups to discuss issues harming our communities. Among a few were: coal mine pollution, disenfranchisement of former felons, drug addiction, racism, economy and police brutality. These are all matters that KFTC has been fighting to combat for years.

The solutions we came up with align perfectly with our strategies we use on a daily base, such as telling personal stories, writing op-eds/letters to the editor, publicly denouncing think tanks that further the racial divide, and educating elected officials.

Some other strategies include looking at government contracts to ensure that businesses granted contracts are following the law; allowing minority businesses to be involved, and upholding Civil Rights laws.

One organization, Southerners On New Ground (SONG), just wrapped up a campaign, Black Mamas Bail Out, focused specifically on freeing the most vulnerable

women, black and trans women, for Mother’s Day. Another organization, Iraq Veterans Against the War, is running a Drop M.I.C (Military Industrial Complex) focused on interrupting the relationships between profit, institutional violence and politicians. This issue is also included in the Movement for Black Lives Matter platform as well.

The convening also had two great speakers. Cindy Wisner, national coordinator for Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, a KFTC ally, spoke about how today’s movement isn’t different than some in the past.

However the circumstances are different, meaning the political and social climate.

She said we must join the struggle with social justice movements across the globe by confronting the root causes of racism and poverty. Joining the effort means we take bold risks: just transition, be inclusive, align and cultivate relationships to build power.

We should also look at what the international community has done to win and what didn’t work.

The key takeaway from the presentation was national movements happen when there are strong local movements.

The other guest speaker was Suzanne Pharr, an organizer and political strategist who has spent many years working to build a broad-based social and economic justice movement. Pharr’s presentation was very rich from a historical standpoint.

The 1960s and 70s were the time to be alive. The country focused on protesting wars and standing up for the civil rights of African Americans, which helped many others. The biggest transformation was in education. For the first time, school boards were created, which gave

an opening to change curriculum.

During this time think tanks were formed.

Pharr also highlighted how national trade agreements affect jobs here in the United States. She focused on the Ronald Reagan administration, when the “Makers vs. Takers” argument was a massively driven issue. This rhetoric gave birth to the “welfare queen” myth.

So how does one make sure their jobs and tax dollars are spent properly? You eliminate the takers.

Pharr said due to the advancement in tech, many jobs will be replaced in the next 20 years, including fast food workers, nurses and doctors.

During one breakout session I led a discussion on how KFTC is a statewide organization made up of local chapters. Chapters work on local issues. I explained how all our work is driven by our vision statement and platform of work.

Values-based Nazi counter rally to be rescheduled ed

re

ul d e h sc

The Rally for Equality and American Values, which was to take place April 29 in Pikeville, was postponed. The rally was to be a counter event to a gathering held at the Pikeville courthouse on the same day by the Traditionalist Worker Party, which advertised their event as “Take a stand for white working families.”

The organizers of the rally made their decision after consulting with state and local law enforcement officials and the University of Pikeville, where the rally was to be held. They cited “real and unforeseen credible threats to the safety of our attendees and our community” as the deciding factor. “The goal of a safe, family-

friendly celebration of equality and American values is no longer possible at this time.”

University of Pikeville officials encouraged students to leave campus for the weekend because of the safety threats.

The neo-Nazi rally did take place, as planned, with a confrontational counter rally. Both were organized by out-ofstate groups with seemingly few local people participating. The groups mostly yelled at each other from across the street.

The Rally for Equality and American Values will be rescheduled for a later date.

6 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

local Updates

Bereans unite against acts of hate and intolerance In late March, an anti-LGBT hate crime was committed against a Berea mother, whose truck and garage were vandalized.

In response, the Madison County KFTC Chapter worked closely with Bereans for Fairness and other allies to hold a rally and march in support of the LGBT community, and to call on the Berea Human Rights Commission and city council to address the situation.

The rally and march were held on April 3 with well over 100 local community members coming out in firm support.

Rev. Rachel Small-Stokes, a Madison County chapter member and associate pastor of Union Church in Berea, spoke at the rally.

“I felt compelled to act when I heard about this act of vandalism because it was an act of intimidation and a power play,” Small-Stokes said. “The victim was not only Whitney, whose house and truck were marred, but also every LGBTQ person living in Berea.

“Every incidence of bullying and harassment compounds all those old traumas of people who’ve been kicked out of homes, were sent to brainwashing camps that intend to save their souls but end up damaging their mental health, were beaten and tortured in school for not fitting in, were disfellowshipped from everyone they love, or were told they are worthless, or a scourge on society,” she continued. “I know first hand, having experienced some of this, and from dozens of parishioners in my office over the years reporting the same kinds of mistreatment.

The Wilderness Trace KFTC Chapter invites you!

“This vandalism triggers much greater violence to the souls of already hurting people.

“But the act of standing against this violence is what brings healing. It surrounds all the victims with a body of people there to comfort, support and build them up.

It tells city council that there is, in fact, a problem, and that people of the city want to do something to stop it. It transforms hate into love. That’s why we marched.”

Many in attendance shared the importance of this type of visible support when something happens meant to frighten and intimidate marginalized groups.

“When someone in our community is attacked, it is important for us to have their back,” said Madison County chapter Whitney Preston spoke to the crowd gathered on the steps of member Sam Hamlin. “As a new queer Union Church in Berea in support of the LGBT community. person in this community, the rally and their commitment to documenting hate incidents in march made me feel safe and welcome here. Not only the community and promoting community education was it heartening to see so many Bereans come out programs. against hate, but I know that an organized community Later in April, the Berea City Council passed is a safer one for us all.” unanimously a resolution denouncing acts of violence At the conclusion of the march, attendees and harassment. attended the regularly scheduled Berea Human Rights In the coming months chapter members will Commission meeting, which had to be relocated to city move forward on this issue with plans to ensure that hall to accommodate the crowd. People were given the greater protections are put in place for members of the opportunity to share their concerns. The commissioners community who are at risk of being targeted for hate finished their meeting by passing a motion reiterating crimes and acts of discrimination.

Social justice radio shows produced by KFTC Central Kentucky chapter members Recent podcasts: April: The Health of our Commonwealth March: On The Table February: To Be Fair January: This New House Listen to the recordings at: https://soundcloud.com/beth-howard-182830031 Listen live Tuesdays at 3 p.m. on WLXU - 93.9 FM Livestreaming at: http://bit.ly/2rrSYdh

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 7

Local Updates

Participatory Budgeting: Your chapter can do it, too!

By Judi Jennings Jefferson County Chapter Participatory Budgeting Work Group

Our PB work group is How does your city, A related op-ed by chapter members county or hometown reviewing both versions Ryan Fenwick and Conner Allen published in develop its annual budget? to understand which local The Courier-Journal appears on the next page.

Does your mayor or county government agencies and A Participatory Budgeting work group is hard at judge-executive present a activities are being well work in Jefferson County! budget? If you don’t know or it isn’t clear, ask elected funded and which are not.

Participatory Budgeting (PB) provides important officials and community leaders who decide when and new pathways to economic justice for local communities. how public funds are spent. Once you understand the 4) Engage new people who have expertise or interests PB is a growing international movement. PB Chicago, process, ask the local official in charge how community but might not identify as economic justice activists.

Think about including potential allies, such as for example, works effectively with residents to allocate members can have a voice in the budgeting process. public funds.

Jefferson County chapter member Cassia Herron, sympathetic public agency workers, academics, attorneys,

We believe that Kentuckians deserve to have a voice an experienced city planner, contacted her Metro and CPAs to help you learn more about a specific in how public funds are spent in their hometowns, too. Council member and asked to extend the process for budgetary topic or issue. PB is a nonpartisan process So we are sharing our learning to encourage more KFTC reviewing the mayor’s proposed budget by 30 days. and can be a great way to make new connections in your folks to give it a try.

The Metro Council agreed. Now Louisville is having community. its first ever public comment period on the mayor’s 5) Agree as a work group to focus on significant Participatory Budgeting Action Steps 2017-18 budget.

If a public comment period isn’t feasible in your facts and concrete recommendations.

1) Work together. community, you could ask to sit on a budget committee, Members of our group are making specific Investigating and challenging local budget or at least be an observer. Or you can ask an elected recommendations on budget line items we think should allocations that contribute to economic inequality is too official to come to a chapter meeting to discuss your be created or increased and those we think should be big to do alone. A dozen or so Jefferson County KFTC town’s budgeting process and how residents can get reduced. We are developing communications messaging and social media strategies as a group, so all of us are on Chapter members interested in PB formed a work group involved. the same page. We divided up tasks, but we all worked in 2016 to learn more about how expenditures of public within the same framework and sets of strategies. funds are determined here. Our group opted to focus 3) Dig deep to find documented facts about how on the Louisville Metro Budget, proposed annually by the annual budget relates to the people and issues you care about most.

6) Figure out “pressure points” to get PB the mayor and approved by the Metro Council.

Our PB workgroup identified three main budget recommendations before the public, including areas to work on: affordable housing, public safety and decision makers and allies.

2) Find out the budgeting process in your neighborhood investment. We had to be data-driven What we have done so far is use social media, community. and evidence-based. Our develop new software that makes it easy to link our group made research plans recommendations to a metro council member, work and stuck to them. We together on an op-ed, write this article and go to meetings met frequently to check in of allied organizations to let them know about our on progress and maintain recommendations. momentum. We helped The Louisville Metro Council is having a series of each other out, and we had public hearings on different aspects of the budget during fun. With the leadership of the comment period. So our group is also getting the a graphic artist, we created word out about that and encouraging folks to show up.

The People’s Guide to the You may already be doing some or all of the action Budget: A Guide to the steps described above in your home community. Or Louisville Metro Budget. maybe you already are doing PB and have come up On April 27, Louis- with action steps we haven’t thought of. Please share ville’s mayor presented his your knowledge and experience. Because we are all in proposed $822 million this together. budget for fiscal year 2017-18. An executive Follow the Jefferson County chapter’s summary and line item work on social media – Twitter: @JCKFTC, The Jefferson County chapter released “The People's Guide to the Budget” versions are now posted Facebook.com/JCKFTC/ (kftc.org/peoplesguidetothebudget) at a press conference on March 21. Judi on the city’s website.

Jennings is second from the left, above.

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

8 | Balancing the Scales

Local Updates

Member op-ed: Louisville budget lacks compassion

By Ryan Fenwick and Connor Allen Louisville residents deserve to have a say in how their local tax money is spent. With the drama of the Trump administration, it is easy to forget the role that the Louisville Metro government plays in creating a more equitable, just, and prosperous community.

Mayor Greg Fischer released his proposed budget to Metro Council on April 27. The council is already starting to review the recommended budget and will hold public hearings throughout May and June before passing a final budget by June 30.

Volunteers with the Jefferson County chapter of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth released the People’s Guide to the Budget because we believe in transparent government and honest democracy.

We found that previous budgets did not align with our belief that local government should be evidence-

Connor Allen is on the far right, front row. Ryan Fenwick is second from left. They and many others were expressing their values-based priorities at a Metro Council meeting.

driven, use trauma-informed practices and address the root causes of crime. We recommend the city help folks transition from incarceration to healthy and productive members of society, invest more in underserved communities with disadvantaged neighborhoods and fund affordable housing for struggling families.

The mayor’s proposed budget failed to demonstrate the compassionate principles our city leaders constantly claim drives our policy. The proposed budget has $23 million more in tax revenue than last year; of that, it allocates $18 million, or 78 percent, of it to increasing Louisville Metro Police Department patrols and jailing people.

We spend steadily more on ineffective police tactics but aren’t seeing that these investments are effective at reducing crime. What we are getting for our tax dollars are policies that drive a wedge between over-policed residents and the rest of the community.

We should be focusing our resources and efforts on restorative justice tactics and intervention programs that have been measurably proven to reduce victimization and violence.

The budget marginally increases resources for restorative initiatives such as the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods, but its total resource allocation is incredibly skewed to policies that do not address the root causes of crime. Proportionally, one percent of LMPD’s increase in the budget goes to drug addiction services.

We need to prioritize programs that intervene in the cycle of violence. We need to prioritize programs that address poverty, inequity, addiction and homelessness.

Resources currently being used for unsuccessful policing strategies could be used instead for increasing our community’s capacity to thrive. More local funds should be invested in neighborhoods still suffering

from our city’s racist history of housing and economic development policies. No matter where folks live, they should have the infrastructure needed to build and support thriving neighborhoods.

When proposed developments are reviewed, we should make sure the development addresses the needs of existing residents. This is especially true where incentives are awarded to private investors.

The mayor’s budget fails to address our community’s dire need for additional affordable housing. All year, members of the community have been showing up to council meetings asking for $10 million of their tax dollars to be invested in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Louisville CARES is a good first step, but it isn’t as flexible a program and doesn’t serve our communities most in need. We need to fully fund the Affordable Housing Trust Fund at $10,000,000.

Making these decisions gives us a chance to match our money with our rhetoric about compassion. If we are serious about making Louisville a city we’ll be as proud of in 20 years as we are now, then this year is the time to do what’s right.

We are not asking the city to increase spending, but to make our spending more just and effective.

This op-ed also appeared in The Courier-Journal.

The Louisville Metro Council must pass a final spending plan by June 30.

Jefferson County residents can participate in making sure the metro council’s spending priorities reflect the city’s proclaimed values by contacting their Metro Council representative (go to http://bit.ly/1RCwGeL).

WKY members hold Comer accountable on health care Western Kentucky KFTC members have joined with Four Rivers Indivisible and other local groups to hold U.S Rep. James Comer accountable for his vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Comer vowed to protect the pre-existing condition clause in the Affordable Care Act “with every last breath I have.”

Then he voted in favor of the House Republican repeal bill, which severely weakens protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

“I highly encourage Comer's constituents to hold

him accountable for his promise to maintain the mandate for pre-existing condition coverage,” said Andy Wiggins of Paducah, who represents the new western Kentucky chapter on the KFTC Steering Committee.

Leslie McColgin, who heads the Four Rivers group, shared with her members a KFTC graphic about Comer’s promise. “I think this can be very effective if his Twitter account is inundated with lots of people sending the same meme,” McColgin said.

About 100 people showed up at a Comer town hall meeting in Benton to hold his feet to the fire. Most were

mad at his backtracking on his promise.

Comer said he did not backtrack, that the Republican bill prevents insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions. While technically true, the legislation allows people with dozens of medical conditions to be placed in high-priced pools and charged much higher premiums.

“There is no difference between denying someone coverage and pricing them out of coverage,” Wiggins pointed out.

Information for this story came from Berry Craig.

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 9

Economic Justice On May 4, the U.S House voted to repeal key parts of the Affordable Care Act, failing in the commitment from key Republican leaders to “repeal and replace.” The vote took place before representatives even knew the full extent of the legislation and its impacts in their districts. Some of those consequences are listed below. The legislation next goes to the U.S. Senate, where leaders have promised more changes.

What does the House legislation do?

It guts the Affordable Care Act, giving away huge tax breaks to the wealthy in exchange for less affordable care for millions of U.S. residents. According to a Congressional Budget Office analysis, 14 million people would lose health insurance in 2018, increasing to 24 million in 2026, to finance tax cuts for the wealthiest U.S. taxpayers. States would see an $880 billion decline in federal funding, forcing cuts to essential programs and services. The results would be devastating for Kentuckians and our economy.

KEY TALKING POINTS about the House legislation: • • • • • • • • • • • •

• •

Effectively ends Medicaid expansion for nearly half a million Kentuckians.

Slashes state funding for the regular Medicaid program, shifting $370 BILLION in cost to states over 10 years. This would force states to end coverage and eliminate health care services for seniors, people with disabilities, children and working families.

Ends the guarantee of Essential Health Benefits like maternity care, mental health and substance use treatment.

Ends the guarantee of affordable coverage for 1.8 MILLION Kentuckians with a pre-existing condition.

Raises the cost of health insurance for millions of people, with the biggest increases for seniors and moderate-income working people.

Allows insurers to expand age rating – meaning older Kentuckians can be charged 5 times more than young adults – while drastically cutting tax credits to buy coverage.

Tax credits are reduced for the majority of Kentuckians. Credits for people under 30 would be capped at $2,000 and only reach $4,000 for people over 60.

Kentucky marketplace enrollees will see their total health care costs rise $1,804 on average if the AHCA is passed.

Hikes premiums by 30% for anyone who loses coverage for 63 days or more.

Ends the ACA program that helps cover out-of-pocket costs for many working families making less than 250% of the federal poverty level.

De-funds Planned Parenthood completely. No birth control, no cancer screenings, no preventive care.

Starts a real insurance market death spiral by ending the individual mandate and cutting tax credits while attempting to cover people with pre-existing conditions. People who are the sickest will scrape to find a way to buy coverage while healthier people drop out, leading to a cycle of rising premiums and more people dropping out.

Sets up a small fund for state-run high risk pools. Before the ACA, Kentucky’s high-risk pool called “Kentucky Access” was highly subsidized and only covered 4,800 people at its peak. It was plagued by high premiums, high deductibles and long waiting lists.

Give huge tax breaks – $525 billion over 10 years – to the wealthiest taxpayers, drug companies, insurers and medical device corporations.

Four of six Kentucky reps in Congress not standing up for Kentuckians’ interests “Kentucky is among the states that gained the most from the Affordable Care Act. Our rate of uninsured dropped dramatically, more people are getting needed preventive care, and already, Kentuckians are reporting having better health,” wrote Dustin Pugel in a blog post for the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy.

“Kentucky’s 5th congressional district has the 3rd largest decrease in the percent of people uninsured of all 435 districts, and has the 3rd largest number of people enrolled in the Medicaid expansion.”

Despite those facts, four Kentucky House members – Reps. Hal Rogers, James Comer, Brett Guthrie and Andy Barr – voted against the their constituents and supported the ACA repeal. Rep. John Yarmuth voted No because he believes people should have access to health care. Rep. Thomas Massie voted No because he believes the bill did not go far enough in repealing the ACA.

To find out how your Kentucky congressional district has benefited from the Affordable Care Act, visit: http://bit.ly/2oAPTHh

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

10 | Balancing the Scales

Economic Justice

Resistance growing to expected Bevin tax restructuring Possible Bevin Tax Plan How taxes would change for various Income Groups

• Meeting with local officials to raise awareness and mobilize around the local impacts of these tax changes.

• Meeting with legislators with our questions, concerns and plenty of data to support our position.

• Distributing handouts to raise awareness about a possible food tax.

• Doing deep canvassing to raise awareness about a possible food tax and talk with folks about better options.

• Writing letters to the editor that get published and can be shared out on social media.

• Having community conversations that offer spaces for folks to explore their relationship to our state budget.

-$2,000

8%

10.8%

Next 4%

Next 15%

-$6,580

-$4,000

-$5,000

-$6,000

-$7,000

To get involved in the Campaign for the CommonWealth, contact your local organizer or Tyler Offerman, KFTC’s tax justice organizer, at Tyler@kftc.org or 859-276-0563.

12%

10.6%

-$261

-$3,000

Total State and Local Taxes Paid in Kentucky

10%

$526 $602

Fourth 20%

$245

Middle 20%

Lowest 20%

-$1,000

$143

$430

The 1%

investments in schools and delay infrastructure needs – all for tax breaks for the wealthy.

Regional teams are developing strategies and tactics to sound the alarm in their local areas:

$0

Second lowest 20%

If you haven’t checked out KFTC’s Tax Justice Campaign recently, plan to do it soon. The Campaign for the CommonWealth is gaining momentum.

KFTC has worked for years for tax reform that raises public dollars for the common good – quality public schools for every child, public health safeguards and services, a solid infrastructure. So as members have grown aware of Governor Matt Bevin’s plans to radically change Kentucky’s tax structure, they’ve organized and mobilized. The pushback is growing.

In early May, members and allies from across the state participated in a web-based orientation to the work.

That orientation kicked off five (with two more on the way) regional trainings to allow folks to learn more about what is known of the governor’s plan, and how to push back by having conversations with their legislators and their neighbors.

The specifics of Bevin’s plans are still unknown to the public. What we know doesn’t look good for most Kentuckians.

Bevin has repeatedly echoed the need for additional revenue. But he also has said that, “Kentucky needs to move from a production-based tax economy to a consumption-based tax economy.”

Here’s why that’s disconcerting: To raise substantial revenue with a sales tax, the governor’s plan would almost certainly have to tax the goods that folks depend on the most: groceries and medication.

This would be a radical shift in Kentucky’s tax structure. It would mean a huge tax cut for the wealthy (about $7,000 on average for the top 1 percent) and an overall tax increase for everyone else.

This kind of shift has not worked in other states.

Bevin invited multi-millionaires from Kansas to consult on his administration’s tax proposals. Kansas – like the other states that have tried such tax shifting – has failed to grow jobs or its economy. In fact, it’s had to cut

Average Total Tax Change as a Share of Income

$1,000

9.9% 8.9%

9.0%

7.4%

6%

6.0%

4% 2% 0

Lowest 20% Less Than $16,000

Second 20% $16,000 $30,000

Middle 20% $30,000 $50,000

Fourth 20% $50,000 $81,000

Income Groups Source: Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy

Next 15% $81,000 $144,000

Next 4% $144,000 $330,000

Top 1% +$330,000

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 11

New jobs! Better health! Just Transition! The Empower Kentucky Plan takes us there

There is a clear path forward for creating thousands of new Kentucky jobs in the energy industry while cutting pollution, lowering electric bills and investing billions of dollars in workers and communities affected by the decline in fossil fuels.

The plan for doing that was released on April 19 by KFTC during a press conference and with the launch of a new website (www.empowerkentucky.org).

“This is our attempt as citizens to press the conversation forward and to bring to light the truth about what can be had and what can be done, and to really push the envelope around how we have the conversations about energy in the state,” said Nancy Reinhart, a member of the Empower Kentucky planning team from Shelbyville. “So this is exciting. This is what so few people have the time and resources to do, but together at KFTC we’ve done it.”

The Empower Kentucky Plan modeled a number of different scenarios and created a plan that will, over the next 15 years: • Create 46,300 more job-years for Kentuckians than “business as usual” • Improve health by avoiding 93 thousand tons of sulfur dioxide and 132 thousand tons of nitrogen oxides pollution over 15 years • Lower residential electric bills by 10 percent, compared to business as usual • Invest $387 million in a Just Transition for Kentucky’s coal workers and communities • Cut carbon dioxide pollution by 40 percent from Kentucky’s power sector from 2012 to 2032, exceeding the Clean Power Plan’s requirement • Invest $11 billion in energy efficiency across our economy, and prioritize energy savings that benefit

low-income households • Result in a cleaner, more efficient and more diverse energy system • Build 1,000 MW more solar, 600 MW more wind and 800 MW less natural gas capacity in Kentucky, and rely less on coal generation, than business as usual.

KFTC members call this the “Blueprint for a Just Transition to a clean energy After the Empower Kentucky Plan release press conference, several economy in our state.”

KFTC members took a copy of the report to Matt Bevin’s office for the

“This plan is the result governor to read. of almost two years of conversations with more than 1,200 people in every corner of Kentucky, along around the table,” explained planning team member with deep participatory research and analysis,” said Laura Greenfield of Paris, who also headed up a work KFTC Chairperson Elizabeth Sanders of Whitesburg. team to develop An Environmental Justice Analysis for “The Empower Kentucky Plan makes it clear that a Kentucky that is part of the plan.

Just Transition to a clean energy economy is possible in “We did a lot of listening. We also did a lot of Kentucky. research. The “This plan accelerates energy efficiency and E m p o w e r Read the complete renewable energy across our economy, and puts a low K e n t u c k y Empower Kentucky Plan, with price on harmful pollution. It delivers more jobs, less Plan reflects data analysis and environmental health-harming pollution and lower home energy bills the best ideas justice analysis at than the business-as-usual case, while slashing greenhouse we heard and www.empowerkentucky.org/ gas pollution and investing in a Just Transition. gathered for “In short, this plan offers a blueprint, a positive shaping a Just vision and agenda Kentuckians can get behind as we Transition to a clean energy economy,” added Josh work to build a bright future that we know is possible.” Bills, a commercial energy efficient expert and KFTC This plan comes out of KFTC's decades of work member from Berea. “The plan is long and detailed and to protect people, land, air, water and full of recommendations and action steps that could be health. The creation of a detailed plan taken today by mayors and city councils, on campuses – one that is driven by shared values and in congregations, in the state legislature, the Public and a vision for Kentucky – was spurred Service Commission and by utilities themselves.” by the void of leadership, evident for Cassia Herron of Louisville described at the press years but most blatant when two years conference how KFTC went about gathering community ago state officials across the political input, including six A Seat at the Table events held a spectrum said they would ignore the year ago.

Clean Power Plan goals put forth by “The Empower Kentucky project brought together the Obama administration. diverse groups of people all across our state to co-create “The idea of Empower Kentucky is a vision and design this plan. At each event we invited first to bring people together and try to guests to share a story about their relationship to raise everyone’s voice, to bring everyone continued on next page

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

12 | Balancing the Scales

Just Transition Update

The Empower Kentucky Plan continued from previous page Kentucky’s energy system. People spoke about asthma and black lung. Some spoke about efforts to become more energy efficient or use renewable energy. People described family members who worked in the mines or at power plants. Some talked about pollution and health problems affecting their families.

“So what did we learn from all this input?” Herron asked.

“As Kentuckians, we are not happy with our energy choices and want better options.

• An overwhelming majority – 81 percent – of us want renewable energy and especially solar energy to play a key part in our energy future.

• We want energy to be affordable, and we recognize the key role that energy efficiency can play in keeping consumption and bills low.

• We want a just transition for miners, affected workers, and their communities.

• We want our sources of our electric power to be more diverse and to come from local and community owned distributed renewable energy.

• We also called for changes that extend far beyond our power sector, including a more sustainable food system and expanded mass transit.”

The Empower Kentucky Plan takes on those challenges head on, and considers those community values to be just as important considerations as technological ones in developing new energy systems.

Chris Woolery of Lexington provided an example.

“In Kentucky and across the Southeast, folks pay more as a percentage of income on energy than anywhere else in the country – if you imagine a person who pays a higher energy bill than their mortgage,” Woolery said.

“If you take that energy bill back down to the size of my energy bill, that person might not have to work a second job. That person might be able to get involved in the PTA or run for city council. “ Ye s , t h e r e i s economic development, along with environmental and health benefits. But the way I look at it, energy efficiency is literally power to the people.”

After the press conference, members delivered a copy of the Empower Kentucky Plan to the office of Gov. Matt Bevin.

“We requested a meeting and weren't granted one, but we are going to deliver it anyway and hope that he starts a conversation – a real one – in this state about the power that renewable energies have in the state to create jobs, healthier environment and more just communities,” said Reinhart.

KFTC members acknowledge the current state and national political landscape that is hostile to putting people and the planet above profit.

“With the political landscape as bleak and dangerous as it is right now, we are realistic about the prospects of this plan,” said Woolery. “We believe it provides a framework for powerful organizing that is already underway in communities around our state. It allows us to do more than just resist bad ideas. It provides a blueprint and agenda we can organize for and win.

“We are going to be doing these things whether our leaders get behind us or not.”

KFTC grassroots experts present Empower Kentucky Plan to state agency officials In mid-May several KFTC members presented the Empower Kentucky Plan during a two-hour meeting with Charles Snavely, secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Talina Mathews, executive director of the Public Service Commission, and several other officials in the cabinet.

Snavely was generous with his time and asked many questions, including wanting to know what is meant by a “Just Transition” to a clean energy economy.

He also said the Bevin administration shares an interest in some of the issues raised but does not share the goal of reducing pollution.

H o w e v e r, t h e cabinet is very focused on addressing the demands from some of Kentucky's industrial customers and big corporate players (Coca

Cola, Toyota and others) who want to source their electricity from renewable sources. The cabinet is trying to find ways to allow those businesses to meet their goals for 100 percent renewable energy while still keeping them as utility customers and maintaining the monopoly status of Kentucky's electric utilities.

“They really understood we are citizen experts,” said Nancy Reinhart of Shelby County. “I came away with the sense they were impressed.”

Members will follow up with cabinet officials to provide research and evidence of the links between health and coal pollution, and explore possible areas of cooperation around energy efficiency goals.

Stay up to date with Empower Kentucky at: http://empowerkentucky.org/ www.facebook.com/empower.kentucky

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 13

KFTC Annual membership meeting

2017 annual meeting will take place August 25-27 at General Butler Park “We are Kentuckians, and we are our best hope for change.”

This is more than a phrase on KFTC sweatshirts.

This affirmation of our shared identity as Kentuckians is complicated and useful. It’s an affirmation of a commonwealth that includes us all – regardless of lines of difference. It’s also an affirmation of our potential in working together and calls us into working deeply in our communities.

Join us at KFTC’s 2017 Annual Membership Meeting August 25-27 at General Butler State Park, where we’ll continue to evolve our organizing in this moment in Kentucky. The theme of the meeting is using art and culture in our organizing.

We will explore how our being Kentuckians – an identity that is often complicated, always with a story – informs our organizing, creating space to envision the Kentucky we believe is possible. We will develop new skills and learn new ways of applying our skills to work together for transformative change in this challenging moment.

At this gathering we plan to create lots of spaces for folks to build relationships that will continue to sustain us as we meet the challenges of this work.

We’re planning a comfortable meet-and-greet

for Friday night. Saturday will continue with space for community building in the morning. Then we’ll make our way into workshops that will focus on resistance and advancing our issue work, within an arts and cultural context: • Building a new energy future through the Empower Kentucky Plan • KFTC’s Campaign for the Commonwealth to organize for tax reform • Protecting access to health care and advancing a single-payer solution • Showing up for racial justice in this moment Workshops also will build our skills for the challenges we face right now, including: • Bystander/upstander intervention • Nonviolent direct action 2.0 • Deep Canvassing, or big conversations in small bits • Communications • Meeting planning 2.0, for planning meetings with larger groups of people.

We’ll have a full agenda posted at www.kftc.org/ annual-meeting, and we’ll include it in the July issue of Balancing the Scales.

In preparation for KFTC’s statewide annual meeting (which includes the annual business meeting on Sunday morning), members are asked to participate in a number of ways.

•

•

•

Take part in a chapter annual meeting (see list to the right). All KFTC chapters hold their chapter annual meetings two months prior, in late May or June. At these meetings, chapter members make any suggested changes to the KFTC platform, set local priorities and goals, decide if they wish to continue as a chapter and, if so, select a Steering Committee representative and alternate and chapter coordinators for membership, fundraising and publicity.

Nominate oneself or others to KFTC statewide leadership positions: KFTC Executive Committee (see page 15) Kentucky Coalition board (see page 16) A statewide issue or governance committee (see page 18) Register early (see form on page 14).

Please consider accepting a position as a chapter officer for the coming year, starting this fall. Chapter officers are: Steering Committee representative, Steering Committee alternate, fundraising coordinator, membership coordinator and publicity coordinator. All are important roles for which you will receive training and support. The responsibilities can be shared with others.

ANNUAL CHAPTER MEETINGS Scott County: Thursday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m., Georgetown Public Library, 104 S. Bradford Lane, Georgetown Wilderness Trace: Potluck, Monday, June 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m., InterCounty Energy Community Room, 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck.

Big Sandy: Tuesday, June 6, 6-7:30 p.m. at the KFTC Prestonsburg Office, 152 North Lake Drive, Prestonsburg Jefferson County: Potluck, Monday, June 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., First Unitarian Church, 809 S. 4th Street, Louisville. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck.

Shelby County: Thursday, June 15, 6-7:30 p.m., Stratton Community Center, 215 Washington St, Shelbyville Harlan County: Thursday, June 15, 6-8 p.m. at the Harlan Public Library Community Room, 107 North 3rd Street, Harlan Rowan County: Thursday, June 15, 6-8 p.m., St. Albans Church, 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Central Kentucky: Thursday, June 15, 7-9 p.m., Lexington Public Library, Northside Branch, 1733 Russell Cave Rd. Western Kentucky: Sunday, June 18 at 5 p.m. at Murray State University, Faculty Hall Room 208 Perry County: Monday, June 19, 6-7:30 p.m., Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky Conference Room, 420 Main Street, Hazard Northern Kentucky: Tuesday, June 20, 7 p.m., Center for Great Neighborhoods, 321 W. 12th Street, Covington Madison County: Monday, June 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Friends Meeting House, 300 Harrison Rd., Berea. Please bring a dish to share for the potluck.

The Southern Kentucky chapter had its annual meeting on May 23. Letcher County chapter meeting TBD.

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

14 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC 2017 Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting Using Art and Culture in Our Organizing

Registration Form Name(s): ____________________________________________ Name:(s) ____________________________________________ Address: ____________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _______________________________________ Phone: ________________ Email: ________________________ Which nights will you be staying with us? __ Friday night __ Saturday night Lodging Preference: KFTC expects to fill up all rooms and cabins at General Butler State Park. We do our best to accommodate lodging requests, but in order to maximize the amount of overnight lodging slots we cannot guarantee your preference (cabin or lodge). But we will do our best. __ Guest room in the lodge: the lodge is a short walk or one-minute drive from the conference center where the annual meeting takes place. __ Cabin: Cabins are located slightly farther from the conference center where the annual meeting will take place and would require a short drive between the two. Cabins have either one, two, or three bedrooms, with each cabin having only one bathroom and only one full-size bed in each bedroom. __ Camping: KFTC will not handle camping reservations. Primitive tent camping is available for $13 a night by just showing up at the campground, and no reservations are needed. If you would like RV and other campground reservations, you can make your reservation directly through ReserveAmerica.com (starting at $31/night). For questions about the campgrounds, call General Butler directly at 502-732-4384.

Other Preferences: Room equipped for physical disabilities? Please specify _____________ _________________________________________________________ Roommate preference (2 to 4 people will share a room). Please specify the names of individuals you would like to share a room with ________ _________________________________________________________ Will you need childcare?

If so, please list the names and ages of the children.

Name: _______________________________________ Age: ________ Name: _______________________________________ Age: ________ Name: _______________________________________ Age: ________

Please complete the form below to register for the Annual Meeting and mail the entire page with payment to KFTC, P.O. Box 1450, London KY 40743. You also can register online at kftc.org/annual-meeting/registration

Meals: KFTC is required to use the food service at General Butler for our event. We do our best to meet the dietary needs of all participants, but are limited by General Butler’s food service options and willingness to accommodate special requests.

Do you have any special dietary requests? (We will communicate with you ahead of time if your dietary restrictions can’t be honored so that you are able to bring your own food). Specify: ____________________________ _________________________________________________________ Meals you will be in attendance for: __ Saturday breakfast __ Saturday lunch __ Sunday breakfast __ Sunday lunch

__ Saturday dinner

Silent Auction: Please let us know if you are willing to help out by bringing: Items for the silent auction: __ Yes Books for the used book sale: __ Yes Transportation: __ I am driving myself __ I can offer a ride

__ I need a ride

Is this your first time attending KFTC’s annual meeting? __ Yes __ No Cost: Registration fees help KFTC offset a portion of the expense of our Annual Meeting. We ask you to pay $80 per adult if you’re registering before July 22 or $100 per adult after July 22. If you are reserving your own campsite or don’t need lodging, cost is $40 before July 22 and $60 after July 22. We appreciate your contribution to this important weekend! We want everyone who would like to participate to do so. Don’t let the cost be a barrier to attending.

How are you paying? __ Payment is enclosed. __ I request a full or partial scholarship (we’ll be in touch with you). __ I request a payment plan (you can enclose a partial payment now).

Please make a check or money order payable to KFTC and put “Annual Meeting registration” in the note field. Mail this page and payment to: KFTC, P.O. Box 1450, London, Kentucky 40743 We look forward to seeing you there!

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 15

KFTC 2017 Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting Nominations for organization leaders

The process for recommending, nominating, and electing members to KFTC’s Executive Committee reflects KFTC’s commitment to being a grassroots, membership-led organization. It is an expression of KFTC’s core values, including our commitment to diversity; an open, deliberate and democratic process; a model of shared leadership; and a practice of developing grassroots leaders as a primary strategy for social change.

Anyone may nominate someone to serve in one of the four elected positions on KFTC’s Executive Committee or three seats on the Kentucky Coalition Board. KFTC’s Leadership Development Committee considers those suggestions and recommends a slate of candidates for each board that is balanced, diverse and qualified. In July the KFTC Steering Committee will review those recommendations and formally nominate individuals for election at KFTC’s Annual Membership Meeting in August.

Nominations for the 2017/2018 Executive Committee and Kentucky Coalition Board are open until June 9, 2017.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS: Due June 9, 2017

Nominations Check List KFTC Executive Committee R description below R nominations form on page 17 Kentucky Coalition board R description on page 16 R nominations form on page 17 Statewide issues and governance committees R description on page 18 R nominations form on page 18 Nominations also can be made at: http://kftc.org/nominations

KFTC’s Steering Committee is the statewide board that makes decisions about the organization’s strategy, policies, budget and long-term direction. The Steering Committee is made up of one representative from each chapter, plus five statewide officers.

These five officers make up the Executive Committee. This group makes necessary decisions between Steering Committee meetings and provides leadership for the organization. Four members of the Executive Committee are elected. The fifth position is the immediate past chairperson. The following is a description of the four elected positions: Chairperson The Chairperson is a voting member of the KFTC Steering Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the Chairperson of the KFTC Steering Committee and the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors. He or she presides at all Annual Meetings, Steering Committee meetings, Executive Committee meetings, and KC Board of Directors meetings.

Vice Chairperson The Vice Chairperson is a voting member of the KFTC Steering Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the Vice Chairperson of the KFTC Steering Committee and the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors. He or she presides in the absence of the Chairperson at all Annual Meetings, Steering Committee meetings, Executive Committee meetings, and KC Board of Directors meetings.

Secretary-Treasurer This officer serves as Secretary-Treasurer for KFTC and the Kentucky Coalition. He or she also serves as a voting member of the KFTC Steering Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors. The Secretary-Treasurer also serves as the Chair of the Finance Committee.

At-Large Representative The At-Large Representative is a member elected from anywhere in the state. He or she serves as a voting member of the KFTC Steering Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors.

The following is the current Executive Committee •The chair is Elizabeth Sanders (center). She has served one term as chair, and is eligible for another term. • The vice-chair is Meta Mendel-Reyes (front left). She has served one year, and is eligible for another term. • The secretarytreasurer is Homer White (back right). He has served one year as secretary-treasurer, and is eligible for another term.

• The at-large representative is Ryan Fenwick (back left). He has served one year, and is eligible for another term. • Also pictured is Dana Beasley Brown, the immediate past chair.

Requirements • A statewide officer must be a member of KFTC. • A statewide officer cannot be a paid employee or the immediate family member of a paid employee of KFTC or Kentucky Coalition.

• A statewide officer cannot serve in the same position for more than two years.

• The Leadership Development Committee will consider all nominees and recommend a diverse slate of qualified candidates, taking into account a diversity of characteristics including gender, age, race, income, educational background, place of residence, level of involvement in the local chapter and statewide organization, issue interests, and other desired qualities.

The Leadership Development Committee values your suggestions. You may nominate as many people as you like. You may nominate a person for a specific statewide office, or “for any position” on the KFTC Executive Committee. Either way, the Leadership Development Committee considers all nominees to be eligible for any and all of the four positions.

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

16 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC 2017 Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting Nominations for organization leaders

Use the form on the next page to send in your nominations.

Nominations also can be made at: http://kftc.org/nominations

KENTUCKY COALITION BOARD NOMINATIONS: Due June 9, 2017 Kentucky Coalition is the sister organization of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth. Kentucky Coalition (KC) is a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that it is allowed to accept tax-deductible donations from members and can access foundation grants that are not available to Kentuckians For The Commonwealth as a 501(c)(4).

Kentucky Coalition’s purpose is to support grassroots community organizing, leadership development, and public education around important public policy. KC’s reach stretches beyond KFTC and beyond Kentucky.

Kentucky Coalition has provided support and acted as fiscal agent for groups working in Appalachia and the South. For instance, KC is currently the fiscal agent for the Alliance for Appalachia, a group of 13 organizations from Central Appalachia working to stop mountaintop removal coal mining.

The KC board provides general oversight and direction for the organization. It maintains a close working relationship with the KFTC Steering Committee, monitors finances, and conducts planning and evaluation. The board meets at least quarterly, often by conference call.

The KC board is composed of the five members of the KFTC Executive Committee plus three additional members who are elected by the KFTC membership at the annual meeting.

KC board members serve one-year terms. The KC board members who are also members of the Executive Committee follow the term limits of KFTC Executive Committee members. The three additional KC board members may serve four consecutive one-year terms.

• It is preferred that nominees to the Kentucky Coalition Board are people with prior experience on the KFTC Steering Committee or Finance Committee who do not currently serve as their chapter’s representative.

Requirements • A Kentucky Coalition board member must be a member of KFTC.

Current Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors

• A Kentucky Coalition board member cannot be a paid employee or the immediate family member of a paid employee of KFTC or Kentucky Coalition.

The following members currently serve on the Kentucky Coalition Board, along with the five members of KFTC’s Executive Committee:

• A Kentucky Coalition board member not on the KFTC Executive Committee cannot serve in the same position for more than four one-year consecutive terms.

• The Leadership Development Committee will consider all nominees and recommend a diverse slate of qualified candidates, taking into account a diversity of characteristics including gender, age, race, income, educational background, place of residence, level of involvement in the local chapter and statewide organization, issue interests and other desired qualities.

KFTC Used Book Sale Are you a book hoarder? You’re not alone. Many of us hang on to our favorite books long after we’ve read them. But if you’d like to part with some of the books collecting dust in your house – and help KFTC – here’s an opportunity.

KFTC Used Book Sale At the KFTC Annual Meeting August 25-27, 2017 General Butler State Park Coming to the annual meeting? Bring your gently used books, and we’ll sell them to benefit KFTC. Can't make it to General Butler?

Send your books with a friend or contact the nearest KFTC office.

Mary Love has served four terms. She is not eligible to serve another term.

Tayna Fogle is in her second term.

Tayna has accepted a position as an Organizer Apprentice and is stepping down from the Kentucky Coalition board.

Megan Naseman is in her third term.

She is eligible to serve one more term.

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 17

Call for Nominations: KFTC Executive Committee and Kentucky Coalition Board. Due June 9, 2017.

You may nominate yourself or any other member for KFTC’s Executive Committee and the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors. All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. EDT on June 9, 2017. You may make your nominations by returning this form to KFTC at P.O. Box 1450, London, KY 40743. You may also email your suggestions to nominations@kftc.org, or use an online form at www.kftc.org/nominations.

KFTC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Due June 9, 2017

Your Name: Phone: Email:

KENTUCKY COALITION BOARD: Due June 9, 2017

You may nominate as many people as you like for the KFTC Executive Committee. Use additional paper if needed, and a separate form for each nominee.

You may nominate as many people as you like for the Kentucky Coalition board. Use additional paper if needed, and a separate form for each nominee.

I would like to nominate: _____________________________

I would like to nominate _________________________ for a position on the Kentucky Coalition Board.

For the following position(s) on KFTC’s Executive Committee:

I believe this person is a good choice because: _____________

Chairperson

Vice-Chairperson

_________________________________________________

Secretary-Treasurer

At-large Rep

_________________________________________________

Any of the positions

I believe this person is a good choice because: _____________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ I have spoken with this person about my nomination, and they are willing to be considered (it’s okay if you haven’t).

I have NOT yet spoken with this person about my nomination, and I do not know if they are willing to be considered.

I would like to nominate: _____________________________

I have spoken with this person about my nomination, and they are willing to be considered (It’s okay if you haven’t).

I have NOT yet spoken with this person about my nomination, and I do not know if they are willing to be considered.

I would like to nominate _________________________ for a position on the Kentucky Coalition Board.

I believe this person is a good choice because: _____________ _________________________________________________

For the following position(s) on KFTC’s Executive Committee:

_________________________________________________

Chairperson

Vice-Chairperson

Secretary-Treasurer

At-large Rep

I have spoken with this person about my nomination, and they are willing to be considered (It’s okay if you haven’t).

Any of the positions

I believe this person is a good choice because: _____________

I have NOT yet spoken with this person about my nomination, and I do not know if they are willing to be considered.

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ I have spoken with this person about my nomination, and they are willing to be considered (it’s okay if you haven’t).

I have NOT yet spoken with this person about my nomination, and I do not know if they are willing to be considered.

Return this form to: KFTC

P.O. Box 1450

London, KY 40743

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

18 | Balancing the Scales

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: Due June 30, 2017 KFTC statewide committees KFTC ISSUE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEES KFTC is accepting nominations for members to serve on statewide issue and governance committees (descriptions below). Any member may nominate themselves or another member to service on one or more of these committees. All committee nominations will be considered by the Leadership Development Committee. New committee assignments will be finalized in September by the Steering Committee.

ISSUE COMMITTEES Land Reform Committee – Coordinates KFTC’s statewide campaigns on issues connected to natural resources. Meets 3-6 times a year, as needed.

Economic Justice Committee – Develops and coordinates campaigns on economic issues, including tax justice. Meets 3-6 times a year as needed, often by conference call.

New Energy and Transition (NET) Committee – Develops strategies related to KFTC’s work for a Just Transition, an equitable and sustainable energy system, and climate action.

KFTC committees meet by conference call or in person several times a year. The frequency will vary by committee. ****** KFTC members may nominate themselves or another KFTC member to serve on any committee.

Nominations will be accepted until June 30.

Voter Empowerment Committee – Develops and evaluates KFTC’s strategies for registering, informing and motivating voters, including our restoration of voting rights campaign.

******

Litigation Committee – Makes recommendations about KFTC’s litigation strategies; monitors progress of legal cases in which KFTC is a participant; participates in communication among allies, lawyers, and KFTC decision-making bodies. Meets as needed with frequent conference calls.

Terms are for one year, and members may serve an unlimited number of terms and serve on more than one committee at a time.

Racial Justice Committee – Helps ensure the organization is weaving racial justice and anti-oppression into all of our work and strategies. The Racial Justice Committee’s work includes informing the membership on issues affecting racial justice, coordinating education and skill-building opportunities, and ensuring that racial justice principles are applied to all areas of KFTC’s program of work.

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEES Leadership Development Committee — Develops, evaluates and helps implement KFTC’s leadership programs.

Nominates and reviews nominations of people to serve on statewide committees and offices. Meets several times a year as needed.

Personnel Committee — Members may participate in hiring processes and review annual staff evaluations.

This committee provides guidance and makes recommendations about personnel policies and issues. Meets as needed.

Finance Committee – Reviews and recommends budget and quarterly financial statements. Reviews and recommends financial policies and practices.

Meets periodically in person and by conference call.

STATEWIDE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS: Due June 30, 2017 You may nominate yourself or other KFTC members for the committees described on this page. Nominations will be reviewed by the Leadership Development Committee and appointed by the new Steering Committee in September 2016.

Submit as many nominations as you like for consideration for KFTC’s committees. Please use additional space or paper as needed.

Make your nominations by returning this form to KFTC at P.O. Box 1450, London KY 40743. Or email suggestions to nominations@kftc.org or use an online form at www.kftc.org/nominations. Members attending chapter meetings in June also will have the opportunity to make nominations during those discussions.

Nominee: ____________________________________ Committee nominated for: _______________________ Nominee: ____________________________________ Committee nominated for: _______________________ Nominee: ____________________________________ Committee nominated for: _______________________ Your Name: __________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 19

KFTC News

Steering Committee analyzes political power in Kentucky Steering Committee members met for a weekend retreat on May 19-20 at Cumberland Falls State Park to continue their ongoing discussion about political power in Kentucky and KFTC’s approach to organizing in this political moment. During the retreat, Steering Committee members were able to spend quality time with one another while focusing in-depth on KFTC’s work.

To focus the Steering Committee’s discussion, those gathered were asked to consider what kind of grassroots power the organization is trying to build in Kentucky and how KFTC can meet this moment to advance the organization’s vision.

Members noted how central these questions have been to their work so far this year, in large part because they maintain that analyzing current power is important for developing a shared understanding that can underwrite strategies to build new power.

They discussed two visions of power, each with its own insights into power and social change. Members noted that it is common to think of top-down conceptions of power. However, as Leah Bayens of Wilderness Trace noted, “Power isn’t just a top-down model.” There also are concepts that highlight a vision of shared power distributed throughout a community.

Several committee members noted that it is important to understand how both top-down visions of

power and visions of shared, social power impact how folks behave and work for change.

“Power writes a narrative and shapes people’s perceptions of reality,” noted Clare White of Scott County. This insight suggested to Andy Wiggins of the Western Kentucky chapter that to advance KFTC’s vision it is important to “shape and communicate an alternative narrative.”

While keeping these two visions of power in mind, the Steering Committee began to “map” various political power players in Kentucky to deepen their understanding of the current political moment. After situating various powerful individuals and officials, groups and unorganized constituencies, members discussed how this shared analysis informs KFTC’s approach to organizing.

Steering Committee members agreed that it is important for KFTC to reach out to unorganized constituencies to shift the balance of power in the state and realize the organization’s vision.

“There are many people who are ready to plug into our work,” said Sharon Murphy of central Kentucky.

While mentioning ways to reach new folks and unorganized constituencies, Wiggins noted that having “common ground is powerful. Sharing a common language makes a difference and can change dynamics in the state.”

Members harbored no illusions about the work ahead. Leslie Bebensee of Scott County observed, “We are trying to bring everybody up, and it’s hard work at times.”

Terrell Copelin of northern Kentucky emphasized that “it is possible to realize

Sarah Bowling (left) from the Central Kentucky chapter and Leah Bayens from the Wilderness Trace chapter chat at the KFTC Steering Committee retreat.

our vision. [In many places] it’s already being done.”

Other items the Steering Committee discussed included KFTC’s current financial report, the Western Kentucky chapter’s work around Calloway County’s process for making appointments to the local library’s Board, an update concerning KFTC’s Organizer Apprentice program, and an update on KFTC’s organizing work in eastern Kentucky.

They agreed to expand the Apprentice Program by one, and to open a hiring process for an eastern Kentucky community organizer position starting in the fall.

Andy Wiggins of the Western Kentucky chapter makes a point during the Friday night discussion. The Steering Committee (right) met at Cumberland Falls State Park.

Thanks

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

www.kftc.org | May 23, 2017

20 | Balancing the Scales

calendar of events For most KFTC chapters, the June meeting is their annual chapter meeting. That list is on page 13. Here are some other events in June and July.

June 1 – KFTC’s Organizer Apprentice Program begins. Look for an announcement.

June 3 – Make Kentucky Great Again Trivia! with the Northern Kentucky chapter 6 p.m. at the Highlander Event Center, 90 Alexandria Pike in Fort Thomas; tickets at http://bit.ly/2qLzZrc Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 June 17 – Wilderness Trace chapter’s fifth annual Down Home Barn Bash 4-8 p.m. at Woodwind Farm, 36 Yates Road, Junction City Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 June 27 – Chapter meeting Southern Kentucky, 6 p.m.

The Foundry, 531 W. 11th Ave. Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989 July 3 – Chapter meeting Wilderness Trace, 7 p.m.

InterCounty Energy Community Room 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 July 6 – Chapter meeting Scott County, 6:30 p.m.

Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane, Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103

July 18 – Chapter meeting Northern Kentucky, 7 p.m.

Center for Great Neighborhoods 321 W. 12th Street, Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 July 20 – Chapter meeting Shelby County, 6 p.m., Stratton Community Center 215 W Washington St., Shelbyville Info: Carissa@kftc.org or 502-589-3188 July 20 – Chapter meeting Rowan County 6 p.m., St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead July 20 – Chapter meeting Central Kentucky 7 p.m., Episcopal Mission House 203 E. 4th Street, Lexington Info: BethHoward@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 July 24– Chapter meeting Madison County 7 p.m., Berea Friends Meeting House 300 Harrison Street, Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 July 16 – Chapter meeting Western Kentucky chapter

5 p.m. at Murray State University, Faculty Hall Room 208 Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989

July 10 – Chapter meeting Jefferson County, 6:30 p.m.

First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Ryeshia@kftc.org or 502-589-3188 July 15 – KFTC Steering Committee meeting; 10:30 a..m. - 4:30 p.m.

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

August 25-27 – KFTC Annual Membership Meeting at General Butler State Park Carrollton; registration form on page 14

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

FIELD OFFICES Louisville Elizabeth Adami, Alicia Hurle, Ryeshia Reves, Becky Jones and Carissa Lenfert 735 Lampton Street #202 Louisville, Ky 40203 502-589-3188 Whitesburg P.O. Box 463 Whitesburg, Ky 41858 606-632-0051 Bowling Green Molly Kaviar 502-599-3989 Northern Kentucky Joe Gallenstein and Caitlin Sparks 640 Main Street Covington, Ky 41005 859-380-6103 Central Kentucky Jessica Hays Lucas, Beth Howard, Heather Roe Mahoney, Erik Hungerbuhler, Meredith Wadlington, Tyler Offerman and Sara Pennington 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