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Kentuckians For The Commonwealth P.O. Box 1450 London, Ky. 40743
balancing the
Volume 35 Number 3 JUNE 9, 2016
Proposed Letcher prison fails the test .......... page 12
Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Lexington, Ky. Permit No. 513
Members challenge idea of what’s good economic development
Energy vision for Kentucky emerging at community conversations ..........5
KFTC’s growing body of work around Racial Justice................................ 12
2016 Annual Meeting preparation and registration form ....................19-21
Grassroots organizing winning support for RECLAIM Act........................... 6
Open Mic Debate Series............14
Nominations for statewide committee membership................................. 22
State budget impacts ................. 8
Steering Committee explores deeper Voter Engagement work........... 17
A look back 35 years................. 23
2 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Table of Contents
Executive Committee Corner: Our work, in the age of the comment section ............................................ 3
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 Dana Beasley Brown, chairperson Tanya Torp, vice chairperson Elizabeth Sanders, secretary-treasurer Homer White, at-large member Sue Tallichet, immediate past chair
Chapter Representatives
Leslie Bebensee, Scott County Sarah Martin, Central Kentucky John Hennen, Rowan County JoAnn Schwartz, Northern Kentucky Ryan Fenwick, Jefferson County Alan Smith, Southern Kentucky Andrea Massey, Harlan County Randall Wilson, Perry County Megan McKinney, Madison County Lillian Prosperino, Letcher County Charly Sholty, Big Sandy Leah Bayens, Wilderness Trace Leslie McBride, Shelby County Alternates: Rosanne Klarer, Scott County; Sharon Murphy, Central Kentucky; Lisa Montgomery, Rowan County; Serena Owen, Northern Kentucky; Daniel Morgan, Jefferson County; Dora James and Jeanie Smith, Southern Kentucky; Carl Shoupe, Harlan County; Russell Oliver, Perry County; Meta Mendel-Reyes, Madison County; Eric Dixon, Letcher County; Kim Walters, Big Sandy; Lee Ann Paynter, Wilderness Trace; Nancy Reinhart and JoAnna Rouse, Shelby County Balancing the Scales is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and mailed third class from Lexington, Kentucky. Reader contributions and letters to the editor should be sent to 250 Plaza Drive Suite #4, Lexington, Ky, 40503 or tim@kftc.org. Subscriptions are $20/yr.
We Are Kentuckians: Virginia Johnson, Kenton County ....................................................................................... 4 New Energy and Transition New energy future taking shape at community conversations........................................................................... 5 Court delays hearing on Clean Power Plan ................................................................................................................ 5 Grassroots organizing building support for RECLAIM Act .................................................................................. 6 Canary Project Leasing coal on federal lands should stop, KFTC members say ........................................................................ 7 Washington lobbying trip focuses on needs for a Just Transition .................................................................... 7 Economic Justice Job losses mounting as education budget decisions take effect ..................................................................... 8 Learn about and share the impact of budget decisions in your community ................................................ 8 Racial Justice Ad hoc committee helped direct significant racial justice work......................................................................... 9 Challenging racism with the Catalyst Project ......................................................................................................... 10 Say Her Name: Justice for Gynnya and all Black youth in Kentucky.................................................................11 Local Updates Letcher County members remind us: prisons are not innovation ....................................................................12 CKY members learn about intervening in violent situations ..............................................................................13 Wilderness Trace members excited to host 4th Down Home Barn Bash . ......................................................13 Film series in Scott County helps open eyes to racist history ...........................................................................14 Timing perfect for voter conversations at Covington’s Maifest event ............................................................14 Rowan members raise pipeline awareness for Earth Day.....................................................................................15 Members help put skids on discriminatory ordinance before Letcher Fiscal Court . ................................15 The Magic of the Open Mic Debates in Louisville....................................................................................................16 Madison chapter and the Moonshiner’s Ball make a great team ......................................................................16 KFTC News Steering Committee explores deeper voter engagement work . ......................................................................17 KFTC activates the New Power PAC for primary election ..................................................................................18 Annual membership meeting preparation and registration ......................................................................... 19-21 Nominations for KFTC statewide committees ........................................................................................................22 A look back over 35 years ...............................................................................................................................................23 Calendar of events .............................................................................................................................................................24 Tim Buckingham and Beth Bissmeyer transition from KFTC staff ..................................................................24
Your membership in KFTC helps build New Power in Kentucky! Name: _______________________________________ Address: _______________________________________ City: _______________________________________ state & Zip: _____________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________ Email: _______________________________________
Suggested membership dues are $15-$50 annually, based on ability to pay. We welcome you to give whatever amount you are able.
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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. With as little as $5 per month, you can make a greater investment in KFTC. Make me a Sustaining Giver! I will contribute $ _____ every: □ Month □ Quarter □ Year
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www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 3
executive committee corner
Our work, in the age of the comment section No siren did ever so charm the ear of the listener as the listening ear has charmed the soul of the siren. — Henry Taylor By Tanya Torp My fingers were on the keyboard typing furiously. I would read a response, feel my blood pressure going up, and fire off another well thought out, reasoned, intelligent and passionate response to what I thought was ridiculous, reactionary garbage. I was right. They were wrong. And, by golly, I was going to prove it. But, after an hour, all I found was exhaustion, disappointment, anger and a feeling of hopelessness. How on earth had this conversation devolved into one of vitriol and fumes rather than substance and true discourse with someone I actually liked? Furthermore, how had I allowed myself to get to a point where I was staring at a screen, exasperated and sad, just plain sad, for the state of our world? If you know me, you know that this is not my M.O. I’m no Pollyanna, not by a long shot. But I also choose to have a positive outlook on life. I am a peacemaker at heart, and I usually try to hear someone else’s point of view and can concede when I am wrong. Well, most of the time, anyway. I can agree to disagree, and I can also find common ground. One of my favorite activities is sitting down with someone at a table, on a park bench, for a long car ride, or on a porch, and listening, truly listening, to their hearts. You’ve noticed it too, right? The propensity of our current environment towards responses that do not recognize the inherent dignity of human beings? Sarcasm, anger and hatred as go-to responses rather than rational and calm discussions.
“Never read the comment section” is advice I received long ago, referring to the comments in the printed publications like newspapers and online articles, blogs and social media posts. It’s as if everyone is behind a wall where they do not see the effects their words have on others on the opposite side of the wall. It is not just an impasse or a disagreement; at times it can seem like out and out war. Facts lead to opinions and then to personal attacks. Others jump in like allies, and before you know it … blitzkrieg. Shouting without sound, yet the reverberations are cataclysmic. The work we do at KFTC has always been fraught with controversy. We are no strangers to opinions that are different from ours. Our platform issues are vast, and though we know they are just based on sound research, facts and the stories of our neighbors and friends, we have always had detractors. So what can we do to bring about true change? We begin with intentionality in soliciting true conversations where we reframe the argument from us versus them into crafting, collectively, the kind of world in which we want to live. The art of a good debate is not only getting your opinion across, but disproving your opponent. When I am sitting with a friend who has a different opinion from me, though, I am not in a debate. I want a conversation. This is when I pull out my old active listening tools I learned in middle school. According to the Conflict Research Consortium, “Active listening is a way of listening and responding to another person that improves mutual understanding. Often when people talk to each other, they don’t listen attentively. They are often distracted, half listening, half thinking about something else.” Active listening cuts down on the moments when you are only waiting for the other person to stop talking (or typing) so that you can make your point. Before I begin these conversations, I like to get a set of agreements down with the person I am talking to. Can we both agree not to raise our voices? Can we both agree not
Susan Williams will be remembered with love By Dave Newton Susan Baker Williams passed away on May 1. She was 64 years old. I will remember her as a tireless colleague in the movement for justice and a wonderful human being full of love and understanding. Susan is probably the most giving and generous person I've known, selfless to a fault and then some. I remember one time at the KFTC Annual Meeting, Susan had been bidding on a silent auction item she really loved over and over again and finally won it two days later. By this time, all 200 of us wanted her to have it, but when she was presented with her prize, she donated it back to the organization. That’s just the kind of person she was: selfless to a fault. For Susan, no task to make the world a better place ever seemed too small to do and do well. She always came out
to phone banks and meetings and community tabling events and was a tireless worker to make her community stronger and to help her neighbors. She loved actions that brought important issues out and into the public, like participating in parades or lobby days in Frankfort, or trips to Fancy Farm. She was a leader with purpose and tenacity, though she probably would have balked at the title. She's exactly the kind of leader we need in the community, and we need to all challenge ourselves to be just a little better to make up for her loss. Susan will be remembered with love.
to interrupt? And so on. I also give them an opportunity to bring agreements to the table. Next, as I listen, I often find myself calming my breathing and listening for words and phrases I can repeat back to the person I am talking to. When it is my turn to talk, I summarize what they said and ask if I heard them correctly. It shows them that I am truly listening to them and even if we disagree, I can respect them. It is then when I take a beat and respond rather than react to what was said. This takes a lot of practice and is not something most people desire to take the time to do. So my advice to you: skip the comment section and opt for true dialogue. It is in that space that true change begins.
KFTC OFFICES and STAFF MAIN OFFICE Morgan Brown, Robin Daugherty, Carrie Gregory and Burt Lauderdale P.O. Box 1450 | London, Kentucky 40743 606-878-2161 | Fax: 606-878-5714 info@kftc.org
FIELD OFFICES Louisville Elizabeth Adami, Alicia Hurle and Carissa Lenfert 735 Lampton Street #202 Louisville, Ky 40203 502-589-3188 Whitesburg Sara Pennington and Sara Estep P.O. Box 463 Whitesburg, Ky 41858 606-632-0051 Bowling Green Molly Kaviar 502-599-3989 Northern Kentucky Joe Gallenstein 640 Main Street Covington, Ky 41005 859-380-6103
Central Kentucky Jessica Hays Lucas, Beth Howard, Erik Hungerbuhler and Heather Roe Mahoney 250 Plaza Drive, Suite 4 Lexington, Ky 40503 859-276-0563 Floyd County Jessie Skaggs, Jerry Hardt 152 North Lake Drive P.O. Box 864 Prestonsburg, Ky 41653 606-263-4982 Berea Lisa Abbott, Amy Hogg, Kevin Pentz and Sasha Zaring 140 Mini Mall Drive Berea, Ky 40403 859-756-4027
Email any staff member at firstname@kftc.org except for Jessica Hays Lucas, use jessicabreen@kftc.org; and Beth Howard, use BethHoward@kftc.org. Cover: At the June 6 SOAR “Innovation Summit” in Pikeville, Letcher County residents unfurled a banner to show their opposition to a proposed federal prison that diverts important resources away from innovative and creative solutions to help eastern Kentucky’s economy. More on page 12.
4 | Balancing the Scales
We are Kentuckians
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Virginia Johnson, Kenton County
Virginia Johnson lives in Morning View and is a member of the Northern Kentucky KFTC Chapter. How did you get to know KFTC? This was probably five or six years ago. I was a member of the Sierra Club, and I went down for I Love Mountains Day, which had been a mainstay of KFTC’s activities during the year. As we waited by the river, I saw people with KFTC shirts on, so I just walked up to someone and said, “What’s KFTC stand for?” And he said, “Well, it’s Kentuckians For The Commonwealth.” He got talking to me about it. I said, “I don’t think we have a chapter in Northern Kentucky, and I think we need to have one of those.” I think there were members up here, but there was no chapter that people could really get involved with. Then I heard about a get-together over in Cincinnati to benefit KFTC, so I thought, “Well I’m going to go over there.” So I went, and I got to meet some of the members. One thing led to another. It just seems like it all came together at the right time. What is your favorite KFTC moment? One of the things I remember is we do a lot of lobbying in Frankfort. It was actually about House Bill 70 (restoration of voting rights for former felons). And we were scheduled to see a local representative from Northern Kentucky. We went to her office, and she had voted against it. We got talking to her, and I guess she was real interested. When we got done, we said, “We hope you will think about changing your vote,” and she said “Well, I’m going to do that.” She said, “I’m going to go back and change my vote on that from a ’no’ to a ’yes.’” So that was just a wonderful feeling. That was a great, great, great thing. Why is it important to have a chapter? I think every area ought to have a chapter because it’s a wonderful organization. Everybody is accepted. Everybody is listened to. It doesn’t matter if you’re young or you’re old or what color you are. We all just get together. I’ve met some wonderful people who are really involved. It’s just a way to get things done.
What keeps you coming back? When I first heard about House Bill 70, I didn’t know that much about it. I’m also really politically active, so I was doing canvassing, and people would come to the door and I’d be talking to them about a candidate, and they would say, “Well, I can’t vote.” The first couple of times, I said, “Why is that?” And they said, “I’m a former felon. When I was 18 or 19 I was arrested, and now I’ve got that hanging over my head.” One time I just had a breakdown and almost cried right in front of this woman. She came to the door and she said, “I would love to vote. I have a daughter who is now going to grade school, and they have the kids voting.” And her daughter asked, “Mother, can you come and be with me at the polling place, and can you vote while I’m there?” The mother had to try to get out of that some way to not let her daughter know that she wasn’t allowed to vote because she had a past history. It’s things like that. You’re involved in a lot of organizations. How is KFTC different? Well, I think, in a lot of organizations there is a hierarchy. Even though they’re friendly and nice, it’s still a hierarchy. And every time I tell our KFTC organizer, "You’re our leader," he always says, "No, I’m not. You guys are my boss." I don’t think you find that in many organizations. Why are you a Sustaining Giver? I just think it’s important that KFTC has that money available. That they know for sure money is going to be coming in and they can count on that every month. If we have enough Sustaining Givers, we can do a lot more. And you give what you can give, and you don’t even think about it. You don’t have to think, “Well, now it’s time for me to renew my membership.” You don’t have to worry about that. Plus, it’s also good for the people who have to be making these membership calls. They don’t have to call me. They know that my gift is going to be coming in there every month. So I think everyone should give, even if it’s a very small amount. Give as a Sustaining Giver, because it does make a difference. Why should someone be a member? I think you should become a member because it’s good just to be involved in your community. Just to see and to have that feeling that you’re playing a part. That you’re doing good. That you’re helping your state. What is your vision for Kentucky? My vision for Kentucky is of a state where everyone is accepted for what they are and a world where those at the top who benefit from our society pay their fair share. Where all children receive an education. Where the environment is really valued.
KFTC is made up of more than 10,000 members who together amplify our voices and fight for a better Kentucky. As individuals we bring our own talents and treasures with us to the organization. We Are Kentuckians is a series that profiles KFTC members in various aspects of the organization.
What is your vision for KFTC? That we continue to grow. That we continue to have more chapters. That we just continue to get more members because the bigger you get, the more influence you can have. People are not going to listen to just a few people, but you get a lot of people there, people have to listen. You know, it’s a voice. And the lobbying that we do is another VERY impor-
Virginia Johnson is one of the most recognized KFTC members in the halls of the Kentucky General Assembly. She lobbies for tax justice, voting rights, stopping mountaintop removal and hazardous liquids pipelines, fairness and many other issues important to KFTC members and a better Kentucky.
tant thing. It’s just wonderful. Last year we had a prayer vigil for House Bill 70 right on the Senate hall every Tuesday, and people told their stories. Some were former felons. They told about their lives and how they are struggling. We talked about how this was the right thing to do. We had a preacher there, and he led us in some prayers. We did some singing, and it was just a really inspiring time. I think we need to grow that. We need to fill the Senate halls with people and make an impression.
What is your vision for the Northern Kentucky Chapter? I think that we need to keep growing. That we have more people come and become involved. We have quite a few members, and we need to encourage more people to get actively involved. I think that would be my vision. That we see more people that are actively getting involved and doing things with KFTC.
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 5
new energy and transition update
New energy future taking shape at community conversations This spring KFTC hosted a series of community dinner conversations called A Seat At The Table to gather public input about the best ways for Kentucky to begin a transition to a clean energy economy. Events were held in Bowling Green, Hindman, Lexington, Covington, Louisville and Paducah – one in each of Kentucky’s six congressional districts. “We believe all Kentuckians deserve a seat at the table and a say in shaping our energy future,” said KFTC Chairperson Dana Beasley Brown. All six events were sold out and attracted large, diverse crowds. Participants included current and former coal and utility workers and executives, renewable energy and energy efficiency professionals, educators and students, affordable housing providers, health professionals, ministers, legislators and city leaders, union members, business owners, human and civil rights advocates, farmers and many concerned Kentuckians. In all, nearly 750 people participated to share their vision and ideas. The public input gathered will inform the Empower Kentucky Plan, a set of recommendations about the best ways for Kentucky to create jobs and improve health, address inequality while also addressing climate change by comply-
ing with the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. Kentuckians may also provide public input through an online survey found at www.empowerkentucky.org/survey-landing. At each event, the table conversations began with a chance for everyone to share a brief story about their relationship with Kentucky’s energy system.
√ One woman in Bowling Green described growing up in the shadows of the Chernobyl nuclear plant, the site of the worst nuclear power plant disaster in world history. √ Many described family members who have worked in Kentucky’s coal mines and power plants and in trucking, railroad and river barge industries. √ Some spoke of childhood asthma and other health impacts of power plant pollution. √ Others told of their family’s displacement by large hydro projects and strip-mines. √ Some described the experience of facing home energy bills that cost more than the rent, while others told of successful efforts to reduce their bills through better insulation and other efforts to cut energy consumption. √ Several people described their experiences with renewable energy systems. √ And many spoke about their own growing awareness of where our electricity comes from and the impact our reliance on coal has on our health and climate. After hearing each other’s stories, participants at each table discussed several key questions: What is your vision for Kentucky’s energy future – and why? What do you think that will take? What would help? What are your best ideas to ensure that all Kentuckians can benefit from Kentucky’s energy transition – and no one is left behind? At the end of the evening, each table gave a brief report to the full group. In The A Seat at the Table community conversation at the River Discovery the next column and on the next page are Center in Paducah included folks with a variety of experiences and perspec- samples of some of those comments. tives on energy. Many tables mentioned the important role for our education system in supporting a transition to a clean en The U.S. Court of Appeals (District of Columbia Circuit) recently announced that it ergy economy. People urged will push a hearing on the legal challenges to the Clean Power Plan from June 2 to September K-12 schools to incorporate 27. school gardens (“we don’t In addition, the court said that a full group of nine judges will hear the case, rather than just need more gardens at the usual panel of three judges. Some observers think the moves are a sign the court views this our schools, we need more case as a very big deal. schools that are located More than two dozen states, including Kentucky, and several coal industry groups are within gardens”) and called challenging the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to enforce the plan, for more ways for students calling it “regulatory overreach.” to learn about sustainable However, 18 states, 60 municipalities and some utilities have intervened in the case in energy options. support of the EPA. Many comments also fo In February, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an unprecedented stay blocking enforce- cused on the opportunity for ment of the CPP until legal issues are resolved by the lower court. The new hearing schedule Kentucky’s colleges, commeans that it is unlikely a decision will be reached until after the presidential election. munity colleges and univer-
sities to provide leadership – including by training young people for careers in the growing clean energy economy. KFTC members are working this summer to craft a final report, called the Empower Kentucky Plan, describing the best ideas we’ve gathered for shaping a just transition to a clean energy economy and complying with the Clean Power Plan.
Aubrey Clemons was the emcee for the Louisville gathering, which had nearly 200 people at the First Unitarian Church.
Table Reports “As a young person, I feel so empowered to find that there are so many other people here focused on these issues. I want to give a shout out for youth activists who are doing incredible work.” “Our table talked about the importance of showing up as clean energy voters in Kentucky, and exercising our power as voters to push for change in Kentucky.” More table reports on the next page
Here are some upcoming events and ways to stay connected to this project »»
Thursday, June 30 at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) – Join a webinar hosted by KFTC about the Empower Kentucky Project. We’ll review a summary of the ideas gathered through this process and discuss ways you can be involved. (More information will be posted soon at www.kftc.org/calendar.)
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September 30 and October 1 – Join us in Louisville for the Empower Kentucky Summit to discuss key recommendations and strategies for shaping a just transition to a clean energy economy in Kentucky. More information will be posted soon at www. kftc.org/calendar.
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Follow Empower Kentucky at www.empowerkentucky.org and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/empower.kentucky/
Court delays hearing on Clean Power Plan
6 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
new energy and transition update
Grassroots organizing building support for RECLAIM Act Throughout 2015, grassroots folks throughout Central Appalachia organized to build support and public pressure for the POWER+ Plan, a White House proposal that would help the region with economic transition in the face of declines in the coal industry. KFTC members and others helped pass resolutions in support of this plan in 14 local governments in eastern Kentucky. They also wrote op-eds, lobbied decision-makers and engaged in a social media campaign to push the plan forward. That hard work paid off. In February of this year, U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers introduced the RECLAIM Act, a bipartisan bill that would disburse $1 billion from the existing federal Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Fund over five years for projects that would reclaim pre-1977 mine sites in ways that restore the land and water and create community and economic development. This money would be in addition to the annual funding that states receive to do AML reclamation. Key points in this bill that differentiate it from the regular stream of AML funding are that economic and community development are explicitly required for any project that receives the funds. And it calls for stakeholder collaboration – a key point that KFTC members have organized and advocated for. While KFTC and Rogers differ on many issues, the RE-
CLAIM Act is one area of agreement. “We have been working together locally as a community for quite some time, and are excited to see the ball start to roll in our favor, to see representatives from our state on our side,” said Harlan County KFTC member Kimberly Shepherd in February when the bill was introduced. “I was happy back in August when our county government here in Harlan County passed a resolution in support of POWER+. I’m just as happy now that others are starting to see the potential that we see here for a just transition. It’s been coming a long time.” “This is great news. I am thrilled that Kentucky is taking the lead with Congressman Hal Rogers’ introduction of the bill,” said KFTC Chairperson Dana Beasley Brown at the time of the bill’s introduction. “A proposal to restore the land and water of abandoned mine sites in eastern Kentucky in ways that will put people back to work and create economic development opportunities is what folks in the region and beyond have been working hard toward for years.” “This just shows that all of our little actions together can add up to something big,” said Harlan County member Carl Shoupe. Since the introduction of the RECLAIM Act in February, KFTC’s and allies’ community-oriented work on the bill hasn’t stopped. Resolutions are continuing to be introduced
and passed in local governments, and KFTC’s Central Kentucky Chapter is presently working on a strategy to pass a resolution in Lexington. Members attended a public forum held by Governor Matt Bevin in Hazard to ask if he supported the bill, and he is on record stating his support. U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth of Louisville signed on as a cosponsor. And, importantly, KFTC and allies are working to make the language of the bill stronger, especially to include transparency, accountability and community participation in decision-making for the projects in the “mark-up” language for the bill. The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee is expected to take up the bill sometime this summer, working to settle on final language and hold a committee hearing at some point during this Congress. As part of the Alliance for Appalachia’s lobbying trip to Washington, DC, in early June, KFTC members will talk with legislators from Kentucky and across the region about protecting water and passing the RECLAIM Act. In the region, members continue to build a coalition of communitybased groups to push for passage of the bill while building long-term power for a just transition. For more information about the RECLAIM Act and the POWER+ Plan, visit www.powerplusplan.org.
More reports from A Seat at the Table “Our table talked about how to transition to a clean energy economy while protecting the workers who will be affected. We said that an energy transition is separate from an economic transition. Both have to be addressed. But they won’t necessarily go hand in hand unless we make sure they do. We brought up some ideas, including an early retirement fund and other investments in workers who are laid off, and incentives for companies to hire displaced workers.” “Our table had a bunch of farmers, so we talked a lot about the intersection between a transition to sustainable agriculture and our energy transition. Our food system is highly dependent on fossil fuels and toxic pesticides. So our vision for the future includes a shift to sustainable food production and sustainable energy.”
From the Covington gathering.
Photo by Abe Moreno
“We had a lot of people at our table who are originally from Kentucky’s coalfields, both in the west and the east. We also had some people who grew up in places with a very different energy mix. It was empowering to realize we are from such different backgrounds and all of us are ready for something new.” “We talked a lot about the role that weatherization and energy efficiency can play. That’s what I do for a living, and I’m here to say that it is possible. We recently built a new threebedroom, 1,200-foot home with a monthly energy bill of $6, it is so efficient.” “I work with the local housing authority. This summer we plan to renovate a group of older, cinder block apartment buildings. They are not efficient to heat or cool, and they don’t handle moisture well. That leads to mold problems. We will insulate them and put in new drywall. After that I’m hopeful we’ll go a step further and add renewables. Because when we help residents reduce their electricity use, it benefits them and our housing authority. It’s a win-win.” “I’m originally from Ashland in northeastern Kentucky. It’s on a list of the 100 most polluted places. In my view, we need a cultural transition just as much as an energy transition. Affected communities need to be able to participate and determine their own destinies. And we need to make sure that new clean energy jobs are created in the places that are losing jobs in the coal economy, not just in Iowa or other far away places.”
At the Lexington gathering.
Photo by Kris Anderson
“We want to have more and better energy choices – no matter what our economic status. A transition to cleaner energy needs to be based on principles of fairness and economic justice.” “Our table talked about environmental racism and the fact that racism plays a significant role in where coal plants and other polluting industries are located. We also talked about the mental health impacts of environmental injustice. What does it do to you when your community has all this pollution and down the road they don’t?” “We talked about putting pressure on government to allow solutions like community solar farms to happen here in eastern Kentucky. There’s plenty of space on old strip mines. But coal companies own the land. And Kentucky laws don’t allow private development of solar farms.”
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 7
Canary Project update
Leasing coal on federal lands should stop, KFTC members say About a dozen KFTC members attended a May 26 hearing hosted by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Knoxville to oppose the federal government’s leasing of coal on publicly owned land. This was one of six hearings held across the country after the U.S. Department of the Interior announced in January that it would begin a comprehensive review of the federal coal leasing program, and that during this review it would not issue any new coal leases. The comprehensive review is called a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS). “This PEIS is an historic action being taken by the federal government. This will be the federal government’s first analysis of the federal coal leasing program since the Reagan administration,” said KFTC member Teri Blanton during the hearing. “This will be the first time the government is examining the collective climate impacts from all coal mined from public lands.” This PEIS will examine several issues related to the leasing of coal from federal lands such as: √ How, when and where to lease taxpayer owned land. √ How to account for the environmental and public health impact of this federal leasing program. √ If taxpayers are receiving a fair price for the coal that is being leased. √ Should coal exports be factored into the leasing program? √ How does the leasing of coal from public lands impact the country’s overall energy plan? (For example, does the
federal coal leasing program adversely impact the development of newer cleaner forms of energy?) √ Are coal companies mining coal on federal land adequately reclaiming their mine sites, especially in states that allow for self-bonding?
later. That shift is an opportunity to build just communities in places like rural Wyoming and the Navajo Nation and all across the country.” For more information about the BLM coal leasing program, start here: http://on.doi.gov/1WQh730 Written comments concerning the PEIS may be submitted until July 28, 2016, using one of the following methods:
At a press conference hosted by the Sierra Club, KFTC member Eric Dixon spoke about the need for a “just transiEmail: BLM_WO_Coal_Program_PEIS_Comments@blm.gov tion” away from coal. “I care about a just transition in Appalachia because … I’m working for a place where young people like my friends Mail: Coal Programmatic EIS Scoping and myself can make a beautiful future, despite the obstacles Bureau of Land Management that currently make it hard to stay,” Dixon said. “An Appala- 20 M St. SE, Room 2134 LM chia where friends who have been forced to leave the moun- Washington, D.C. 20003 tains can come back and work making our homes more energy efficient, work reclaiming the mountains scarred from mining, work installing solar panels or wind turbines on reclaimed strip mines and mountaintop removal sites.” “And we know that this transition isn’t just going to happen in Appalachia,” Dixon added. “The inevitable transition will make its way to every coal community Speaking at a press conference before a public hearing on coal leasing on public lands, across this country sooner or Eric Dixon asked for a policy that invests in the future of coal communities.
Washington lobbying trip focuses on needs for a Just Transition KFTC members were in Washington, DC the first full week of June to remind federal officials of the need to support a just Appalachian transition that includes an end to destructive mining practices.
Pausing outside the west wing of the White House were Bill Price (Sierra Club), Laura Miller (SAMS: Southern Appalachian Mountain Stewards), Davie Ransdell, Joanne Golden Hill and Bob Burns (KFTC) and Terran Young (SAMS). Inside they met with members of the President’s Domestic Policy Council.
Along with other residents from Central Appalachia, they hope to pressure the Obama administration into enacting key water protections, and convince members of Congress to pass the RECLAIM Act. “We need final action on the Stream Protection Rule, conductivity, selenium and the mine fill rules that would help limit the worst destruction of mountaintop removal,” said KFTC member Teri Blanton, one of six KFTC members who made the trip. The Obama administration – with less than a year left in office – has failed to complete action on all of the water protection programs mentioned by Blanton. Those rules are important to stop further degradation of water resources and address the legacy pollution of the coal industry. During visits to Congressional offices, the group urged members of Congress to invest in the future of Appalachia by supporting the RECLAIM Act, H.R. 4456 (see story on page 6). “As the conversation grows around the need for economic transition in our region, Appalachian residents need to be at the forefront of decision-making for the future of their communities,” said Wendy Johnston of Athens, West Virginia. “Obama has an opportunity with the POWER+ Plan to create a powerful legacy of investment in a region that has sacrificed land, water, health and community to
power our country.” Impaired streams, unsafe drinking water, and poorly reclaimed or abandoned mine lands present significant barriers to realizing a bright future for the region, the group reminded federal officials. Another needed action brought up with federal officials is to “eliminate self-bonding by coal companies and instead require full-cost bonding to prevent companies from running out on their debts to our communities,” explained Blanton. Bonding is required to assure that funds for reclamation are available when coal companies default on their obligations or declare bankruptcy. But self-bonding and inadequate bonding levels has meant that enough money is not available to complete the reclamation, or that taxpayers have to pay the bill. The lobbying trip to Washington is an annual trek coordinated by the Alliance for Appalachia, a coalition of groups across the Central Appalachian region working to end mountaintop removal and other destructive coal mining practices, as well as to create a just and sustainable future for Appalachia. While in Washington, the Alliance hosted a 10-year anniversary celebration, marking its first decade with friends in the nation’s capital.
8 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
economic justice
Job losses mounting as education budget decisions take effect Kentucky’s state colleges and universities are reeling from Governor Matt Bevin’s unilaterally imposed 2 percent late fiscal year budget cut, and in the face of 4.5 percent budget cuts as of July 1 and another 4.5 percent cut again next year. (The state’s fiscal year runs July 1 - June 30.) Here are some impacts so far: • •
• • • •
Morehead State University’s employees are on unpaid furlough for five days, and 65 positions have been cut. The University of Kentucky is expecting to lay off 90 staff. UK also is rolling back its subsidies for county extension agents’ benefits. County governments, if they can, will be expected to make up the difference. Eastern Kentucky University is implanting a 5 percent tuition increase, a hiring freeze and reducing employee benefits. Murray State University is eliminating 42 positions. Northern Kentucky University is eliminating 105 positions. And the Kentucky community and technical college system is losing 506 positions across the state.
With the budget just embraced by the General Assembly, higher education funding will have been cut by 31 percent between 2008 and 2018 once inflation is taken into
account. Pam Newman, a KFTC and community leader in Jefferson County, is a student at Jefferson Community and Technical College. As the impacts at JCTCS began to take hold and Newman saw some of the most inspirational instructors lose their jobs, she wrote tributes to her instructors and posted them on social media. Lifting up those instructors might not bring their jobs back, but it will help tell the story of why public investments in education are so important. Sharing out the real and immediate impacts of these budget decisions, and the value of what Kentuckians want to protect, helps make the case for why elected representatives need to stand up for access to higher education for every Kentucky student. But in 2015, more than 62,000 qualified students were denied need-based scholarships because legislators chose not to allocate enough money. The impacts of these inadequate investments are magnified for low-income students and students of color, many of whom are then forced to take out loans for their education. A recent report from the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy (KCEP) pointed out that in Kentucky, the average student loan amount has increased by more than 64 percent since 2008, and Kentucky now ranks third highest in the rate of student loan defaults. Nationwide, 4 out of every 5 African-American students use loans to pay for school. In Kentucky, the average bache-
lor’s degree graduation rate in Kentucky overall is 49 percent. For students of color, though, it’s only 36 percent. The biggest obstacle in making progress toward more equitable access to higher education is political leadership. But as Kentuckians continue to speak out and stand up for tax and budget justice that allow for the investments in education that every Kentuckian deserves, it becomes more possible to make even that shift. Over the course of the summer, KFTC chapters will be continuing to explore local impacts of statewide budgets. Contact a chapter organizer to get involved.
Pam Newman’s social media posts won’t reverse budget cuts and teacher layoffs, but she hopes it will help tell the story of why public investments in education are so important.
Learn about and share the impact of budget decisions in your community The state’s new two-year budget falls short of our meeting Kentucky’s potential by a long shot. The political leadership for tax reform doesn’t yet exist, though the political will at the grassroots level does and is growing stronger. You can be a part of growing that political will. • Use social media to remind friends and family that our tax dollars help us make a #betterKYtogether. Take a selfie in front of your school, public park, local library or public health office – any service that is important to you or your family. • Sign on to KentuckyTogether.org’s Statement of Support for revenue reform.
Southern Kentucky chapter members are hoping to see adoption of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) by the Barren County Fiscal Court at its June meeting. About 15 members attended the court’s May meeting, along with allies from the Kentucky Equal Justice Center and Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky, anticipating that the court would act then. Numerous meetings with magistrates and the county judge-executive had prepared the court for this vote. However, a group of “spirited” landlords showed up at the May meeting to voice their opposition. Magistrates stood up for URLTA and the people present who support it, but decided to postpone their vote until June. Members will use the extra time to strengthen community support for URLTA. Folks paused for a group picture after the meeting, shown above.
• Bring the budget home by learning and sharing the impacts of the budget in your local community, and in your family. This summer, KFTC will be working with members to dig in on some of the local impacts of the budget and creating local action plans to continue our momentum. Join in by contacting your nearest chapter organizer (staff list on page 3) .
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www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 9
racial justice KFTC has a growing body of work around anti-oppression and racial justice. The stories below and on the next two pages describe: √ √ √ √
the work of an ad hoc Racial Justice Team that led to the establishment of a permanent committee trainings conducted in May with the Catalyst Project in three areas of the state an update by Jordan Mazurek on the Justice for Gynnya campaign ways to get involved
At its April 9 meeting, the KFTC Steering Committee established a permanent, standing Racial Justice Committee “This is an historical moment for racial justice work. Creating a standing committee now will help realize KFTC’s vision of a diverse Kentucky. It also shows that racial justice matters to all Kentuckians, including white people.” Meta Mendel-Reyes, Madison County
Ad hoc committee helped direct significant racial justice work KFTC has worked on various racial justice issues over the years. Early in 2015 and coming out of discussions about the current landscape around these issues, the Steering Committee did two things. First, it voted to become a formal affiliate of the national group Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ). Secondly, it established a Racial Justice Ad Hoc Team. The purpose of the Ad Hoc Team was to create and implement a workplan for member/chapter education on racial justice issues for 2015. The Ad Hoc Team did a number of things over the year to pursue this mission. In 2015, members of the team:
•
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• • • • • • •
provided regular racial justice articles/reflections for Balancing the Scales helped ensure that the May Steering Committee retreat included a racial justice component facilitated two workshops at last year’s annual meeting connected KFTC members to several SURJ training calls and held Kentucky debrief calls afterward designed an Anti-Oppression Toolkit for organizers and members and did some initial training on it supported and helped facilitate an anti-oppression training in eastern Kentucky planned a staff anti-oppression training assisted in establishing SURJ chapters in Berea and Central Kentucky
As 2015 came to a close, the Ad Hoc Team assessed its work and reported to the Steering Committee. Members noted that, in addition to all the good work that happened because of the Ad Hoc Team, there was a good deal of racial justice work that happened throughout KFTC outside of the direction of the Ad Hoc Team. The list brainstormed included: • • • •
Southern Kentucky chapter members attending Justice for Gynnya McMillen actions Eastern Kentucky Racial Justice Training Jefferson County chapter’s partnership with many organizations of color Smoketown work and relationship building
• • • • •
• • •
Madison County’s work with Berea United for Racial Justice; the work to get Confederate flags out of the Spoonbread festival in Berea The Shelby County chapter’s partnership with the local NAACP The Scott County chapter’s racial justice film festival Prioritization by the Empower Kentucky Project to reach low-income and people-of-color communities for table hosts for the community dinner conversations Outreach targeted to communities of color, women and young folks in the March 8 special elections Participation by KFTC members at the White Privilege Conference in Louisville Building a relationship with Dreamers in the Central Kentucky chapter Support for a local fairness ordinance by the Shelby County chapter Participation in the Equity Summit A panel on individuals transitioning back into the community hosted by the Northern Kentucky chapter; another panel with the NAACP about the relationship between police officers and the community; and a facilitated discussion about better relationship building.
The Racial Justice Ad Hoc Team concluded with a recommendation that the Steering Committee consider establishing a standing Racial Justice Committee within KFTC’s formal structure. This was the question at the April Steering Committee meeting. Committee members noted how timely this work is and how many racial justice issues impact our communities. “As I grow into a more knowledgeable and aware activist with KFTC, I find it disturbing and embarrassing to know that our country and Kentucky in particular is actually leading in racial disparity like mass incarceration of people of color, which is the new slavery, disenfranchising former felons who have paid their debt to society, and increased killings of people of color at the hands of or in the custody of law enforcement,” noted team member Serena Owen of northern Kentucky. Steering Committee members also discussed the energy KFTC members have around this work right now, that there
seems to be a yearning for more information and education. “It’s so important at a fundamental level,” noted Leslie McBride from Shelby County. “We need more trainings so we can do better work.” “A committee could help coordinate trainings for members,” added Alan Smith of Bowling Green. “It could help us stay on track in this body of work.” The committee noted that one challenge will be to ensure that KFTC’s commitment to diversity or racial justice work doesn’t get relegated to this one committee. It’s been important within KFTC to lift up the ways racism and other oppressions impact all issues and all of KFTC’s work. Committee members noted that, in establishing a standing committee, they don’t want to lose that commitment to intersectionality and weaving our anti-oppression values and work across the full organization. They also discussed how overwhelming a huge body of work like this could be for this committee and organization. “The Ad Hoc Team came up with a lot of ideas of things a standing Racial Justice Committee could do,” said team member and KFTC Vice Chair Tanya Torp of Lexington. “We have to narrow in. The Ad Hoc Team can help refine the charge and the program.” With that, the Steering Committee voted to establish the standing Racial Justice Committee. The Ad Hoc Team will work over the summer to clarify the charge for the standing committee as well as develop a draft workplan to get the new team started. The formal standing committee will be seated in September when KFTC’s Steering Committee appoints members to all statewide committees. The Ad Hoc Team has begun that work. A draft charge they are working on for the new standing committee reads: “The 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 will include 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 in an intersectional way. The Committee will help ensure KFTC is being a good ally and is working continued on page 11
10 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
racial justice
Challenging racism with the Catalyst Project The Catalyst Project (http://collectiveliberation.org) is a small collective based in the San Francisco Bay Area that works with groups with a mostly white membership looking to strengthen their anti-racist vision, practice and action in all aspects of their work. They do this so that our movements can be multi-racial, multi-faceted and, most of all, massive and effective at creating a just world where everyone has dignity and access to the things they need to thrive. Last fall, Catalyst staff member Dylan Cooke spent September in Kentucky to consult on KFTC’s growing racial justice work and learn about KFTC’s grassroots organizing. She returned in November with colleague Hilary Moore to help facilitate a racial justice workshop in eastern Kentucky. Most recently, Dylan and Hilary spent a week with KFTC and were part of three racial justice trainings. Here are their reflections. wide anti-racist strategy look like?” and “How is this election moment and the Black Lives Matter movement an opportu Catalyst Project’s work is founded on the idea that white nity to organize for the kind of Kentucky we want to live in?” people have a strategic, necessary role to play in ending Questions like these make our heart sing at Catalyst racism. We also believe that poor and working class white Project. That is why we were thrilled to come back in May for people often have a kind of lived experience that, when used three trainings: first, in Danville with the Wilderness Trace to challenge those in power, can contribute to the fundamen- and Madison County chapters; second, in Lexington with all the staff at KFTC; and third, with the Perry County chapter tal anti-racist kind of change we need to see in society. That is why Catalyst Project loves KFTC – you all are and folks from four eastern Kentucky counties. truly member-led, you build the good kind of people power, On May 2, folks in the Wilderness Trace and Madison and are fighting some very important fights around climate County chapters wanted to talk about the ways racism relates justice, voting rights and just and sustainable economies that to their chapter work, because it didn’t seem so obvious at first glance. And so we began with an iceberg to show differcould mean big gains for communities across the country. We have admired KFTC for a good long time. In 2001, ent kinds of racism. It’s a helpful image that shows what is Catalyst Project connected with KFTC at the National easy to see and what isn’t so easy to see the ways racism takes Organizers Alliance, at the U.S. Social Forum in 2007, and place in our society. again in 2009 when a few of our collective members drove At the tip of the iceberg we identified that interpersonal across the South to meet and learn from southern change racism is really easy to see; it’s the kind of opinions or commakers about the fierce history of southern movements re- ments of folks in plain sight. But below the water we find sisting racism. We’ve always heard great things about KFTC other kinds of racism, kinds that are harder to see, and are through our close friend Carla Wallace, a KFTC member in arguably more dangerous – the kind of racism that institutions like media, schools, banks, police departments and Jefferson County. Last fall we got the chance to co-facilitate a training government can create and recreate. called “We Are Kentuckians: Tools for Building Racial And still below that is cultural or ideological racism Justice in the Mountains” in Prestonsburg with eastern Ken- where the idea of white people being better, smarter, and tucky organizer Jessie Skaggs and KFTC and SURJ leader superior to people of color lives like common sense. Folks in Danville talked through these layers in relation Meta Mendel-Reyes. This training brought together some sharp folks thinking to the issue of the proposed Kinder Morgan re-purposed critically about the ways they can challenge racism, leading pipeline project, asking questions like “What kinds of comthe group to talk about questions like “How can we bring munities are impacted by the pipeline?” “Where are other Kentucky’s anti-racist heritage to life?” “What would a state- communities fighting fracking?” and “What are the ways the pipeline reinforces racism?” This training was just one place to have these conversations. We know that chapter organizer Sasha Zaring is continuing this work in the chapters and with the newly formed Racial Justice Committee. On May 4, months of planning and sharing with KFTC leaders Tanya Torp and Meta Mendel-Reyes came to fruit for the anti-racist training we co-facilitated in Lexington with the entire KFTC staff. The training was shaped around the goals staff shared with us for their intentions around racial The Racial Justice workshop in Hazard included discussion of how an anti-racist lens justice, like “To understand the can be applied in the campaign to stop a proposed federal prison in Letcher County. foundations and history of racBy Hilary Moore and Dylan Cooke
ism in the U.S.,” “To analyze how KFTC, as a mostly white organization, is and could be using an anti-racist lens in our work,” and “To walk out of the training with personal and organizational commitments to anti-racism.” Having all the staff together, it became clear that KFTC is very much like a family, and with a tight bond like this comes the ability to take risks and share authentically. Staff shared big questions they have, shared frustrations they come up against, shared some of the ways racism shapes the work in subtle and overt ways, and shared their experiences about how devastating the impacts of racism are in people’s families, work, and even how they imagine the future. Then all the staff got together to create a shared definition of a lens to see KFTC’s work as anti-racist. It was complex and dynamic and really would look different based on each work area, but it was clear that all of KFTC’s work could challenge racism. This sparked a lot of great ideas, so be sure to ask your local staff person what they’re thinking about. Overall, this training felt like an important, solidifying moment for the organization’s commitment to racial justice. It was a long, beautiful drive to Perry County for the second “We Are Kentuckians: Tools for Building Racial Justice in the Mountains” training on May 7. Here folks from four counties joined us. Since a handful of people had come to the first training as well, there was a particularly special part of this training, something we love to do more than anything as Catalyst Project, which is to support people challenging racism in their work over time. This is an important part because racism is so embedded in the ideas, policies, behavior, visions of normal day to day life, that we know the work of challenging racism is both urgent and a long road. One issue participants in the training were working on is the building of a prison on a reclaimed mountaintop removal site in Letcher County. We got to explore how challenging racism will be an important part of this fight. We did an exercise where we asked participants to pretend to be a group of prison wardens working with the governor to break up a hunger strike taking place in a prison. We asked them to scheme up all the many ways we can keep people from coming together. We talked about how it would be really easy for those in power to use racism to divide people. Folks then talked about how racism might show up in the work ahead fighting against this prison. The training completed with commitments, where participants shared how they plan to continue these conversations and to take action for anti-racism. From our time in Kentucky we can say with a full heart that the work you do is inspiring and so necessary. Thank you for inviting us to learn more about what you all are up to. We feel humbled and honored to keep finding ways to support your fierce dedication, brilliance and vision for Kentucky. With hope and love.
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 11
Member Commentary: racial justice
Say Her Name: Justice for Gynnya and all Black youth in Kentucky By Jordan E. Mazurek Gynnya McMillen. A child. A young Black girl just 16 years old. Died on January 11 of this year. Alone, locked in a cell. Like so many children growing up in families trying to survive systematic poverty and racism, Gynnya had a difficult and unsteady home life. She lived with various family members, including her father for a while before his unexpected death in 2014. Since July 2015 Gynnya was living full-time at Maryhurst, a foster home in Louisville. Her relationship with her mother was rocky and fragile, but the two were undergoing counseling from the Maryhurst staff and Gynnya was expected to move back in with her mother soon. In preparation for the transition back home, Gynnya had been making a series of weekend visits to her mother 30 miles away in Shelbyville. The weekend of January 9 was one such visit, but during a late-night dispute Gynnya’s mother called 911. Once an officer arrived, both Gynnya and her mother declined to speak to him, at which point he decided to needlessly arrest Gynnya. Instead of taking her 30 miles back to Maryhurst, the officer drove 70 miles to the Lincoln Village Juvenile Detention Center in Elizabethtown. Arriving there around 6 a.m., after an extremely stressful night, in a strange environment and all alone, Gynnya was ordered by intake officers to remove the one layer of comfort she might have had. Her hoodie. When she refused, a martial arts restraint was used by 4-5 officers to pin her to the ground. The Department of Juvenile Justice claims that any video of this incident “doesn’t exist” due to a “faulty camera.” After this, Gynnya was processed into Lincoln Village for the day. Went to bed that night. And never woke up, as the protocols at Lincoln Village allegedly designed to “protect” her systematically and catastrophically failed. When the staff of Lincoln Village Juvenile Detention Center finally noticed that Gynnya wasn’t breathing, it took them more than 11 minutes to even attempt CPR. According to the Department of Juvenile Justice Policy Manual, every youth worker in every Juvenile Detention Center should be trained to respond within 4 minutes. In the weeks and months following Gynnya’s death, it was revealed that the ineptitude and negligence displayed by the staff at Lincoln Village was not a fluke, but the norm. Six employees of Lincoln Village are under investigation, with two already indicted for a litany of misconduct and protocol violations in the 28-hour period Gynnya was at Lincoln Village. According to Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary John Tilley, this misconduct includes: failure to perform required 15-minute bed-checks, falsification of documents and “unprofessional behavior” (referring to a staff member eating Gynnya’s sandwich after she failed to respond). That’s the problem, though, when the powers investigate their own wrongdoing. They focus on the micro-particulars, individual actions and actors, ignoring the youth’s perspective, the actual victims, all together. Tamika Dozier, who is now helping spearhead the Jus-
tice for Gynnya Campaign, was one such youth. She was secure juvenile detention facility. locked up at Lincoln Village off and on in her teens. Her Young Black girls and women are the fastest growing inexperience was not the relatively rosy picture of just “failed carcerated population in the country. Kentucky incarcerates women at a rate higher than 46 other states. bed checks” and “falsified documents.” Tamika’s time at Lincoln Village involved 23-hour lock- Incarceration is not justice. It is a form of colonized oppression that traces its lindowns on a weekly basis in eage straight back to slavery. which inmates were only alIt is a weapon specifically lowed outside their 6 by 8-foot designed to deal with Black cell one hour a day. There and Brown people the only was no talking to other youth way the U.S. has ever known prisoners during that hour. how: by robbing them of 23-hour lockdown is a tactic their agency, of their autonopervasive in the U.S. Criminal my, of their community, and Justice System, despite the fact of their lives. that the United Nations has What, then, does true classified it as a form of illegal psychological torture. KFTC members attended a February vigil outside the Lincoln Justice for Gynnya look Even when they were not Village Detention Center. The gathering included readings, like? What does Justice for under lockdown, the youth reflections and a die-in. Photo by Jordan E. Mazurek. all incarcerated young Black were forced to endure an girls, boys, and kids more authoritarian, militaristic and monotonous culture among broadly look like? the staff. As Tamika described it, “You had to ask to do ev- In my own opinion, it looks like a grassroots effort to erything, you had to ask to scratch, you had to ask to sneeze, end not only the conditions laid out above, but to end Youth you had to ask to do everything. You had to raise your hand Incarceration itself. To create a state in which, instead of if you wanted to move at all. And when we were outside of locking up youth, we provide them with the types of loving our cells, you sat at a chair next to your cell. And you read and supportive environments that can ensure they grow into healthy, happy, strong adults. and you sat there.” It does not take an expert in child development to realize The DJJ claims that Gynnya died of an undiagnosed this constant arbitrary authoritarianism and an environment heart condition, thus absolving them of much responsibility. They don’t even entertain the possibility that all the stress deprived of social contact is not a good place for youth. The male staff at the facility routinely sexualized the she endured as a result of her needlessly being locked up at bodies of the young women, displaying “unprofessional be- Lincoln Village could have aggravated that heart condition. Releasing information in a piecemeal fashion for months havior” that I haven’t seen the DJJ talk about anywhere. This included naked cavity searches by male staff on teenage girls, now, the DJJ hopes to minimize the damage to its reputawhich Tamika endured; male staff bantering about the shape tion. Minimize the number of people paying attention. Minimize our efforts to organize against its injustices. of Tamika’s body; and rumors of rape. When I asked Tamika how often sexualized comments But organizers across the state aren’t going to let that and acts were made by staff she responded, “Everyday. Ev- happen. We are going to keep fighting. And we want you to eryday... Everyday. [The male staff would] come into your join us. To these ends, as a start we are calling for Lincoln Village to be shut down. We dropped 193,700 signatures on shower. Just anything. And they could, right? “They still use words like ‘colored.’ That gives you an Governor Matt Bevin’s desk a couple weeks ago demanding idea. And that was the worst thing. I hated that. They were as much. But there’s so much more to do. To help in the campaign to achieve Justice for Gynnya like ‘Oh, you’re such a pretty colored girl.’” But the DJJ doesn’t investigate those things. They want and all incarcerated youth, reach out to a KFTC organizer. us to believe the “few bad apples” narrative, instead of having us realize that the whole system is guilty. The DJJ doesn’t question the macro-level injustice of young Black kids, and young Black women in particular, being funneled into incarceration. It doesn’t question if its own continued from page 9 existence is fundamentally unjust. in solidarity with other organizations on these issues. Youth incarceration is brutality at the hands of the state. “It’s important and timely to have a Racial Justice It robs children of the supportive, loving and interactive en- Committee,” said Owen. “Our racial justice work can help vironments they need and instead subjects them to authori- combat both institutional and individual racism through tarian monotony and psychologically torturous conditions. education, policy work, and empowering Kentuckians. As a Youth incarceration is one more weapon with which woman of color, mother, educator, community-state advoWhite Supremacy is enforced. According to a 2015 report cate and activist, I’m hopeful and grateful.” by the Kentucky Bar Association, Black youth are 2.5 times Interested in the Racial Justice Committee or know as likely as their White and Latino peers to be charged with someone who might be? A nomination form is available at a public offence and are 4 times as likely to spend time in a www.kftc.org/committee-nominations and on page 22.
Ad hoc committee …
12 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Local Updates
Letcher County members remind us: prisons are not innovation By Ada Smith June 6 was the first Innovation Summit hosted by SOAR [Shaping Our Appalachian Region]. It’s a milestone for eastern Kentucky to have a state and federal platform that is focused on creative avenues for economic growth. In fact, innovation is the bedrock to our country’s 21st century economy, and frankly eastern Kentucky has a lot to prove if we are to compete. Support from the federal government has gone a long way in helping our region contribute to this country’s innovation boom. Unfortunately, that money has been slow in coming, or is being wasted on other things. For example, Congress, with the help of Congressman Hal Rogers, recently allocated $444 million to Letcher County – but the money won’t be spent on innovation or community-driven solutions. It will be spent on bringing a federal prison here. This will be the fourth prison that Congressman Rogers has worked to bring to the region. The previous three facilities were placed in the economically distressed counties of McCreary, Martin, and Clay, and they’ve done very little to help local economies. McCreary County remains the 11th poorest county in the nation, and Martin and Clay aren’t far behind. Everything we have seen in those counties backs up recent comments made by Governor Matt Bevin about a prison coming to his hometown: “The quality of life began to go down … and the number of people who really had roots in the community began to change.” Local officials have done all they can to convince the
public that this is a done deal, that nothing we say or do can change the outcome. Meanwhile, they have shied away from promises they made early on in the campaign to bring the prison here. In a recent announcement at the Pine Mountain Grill in Whitesburg, Rogers is on record as saying that the Bureau of Prisons “will bring in most of the people to run the prison until it gets settled in and up and running.” Right now, our people understand things in terms of closing. The mines are closed. The schools are closed or consolidated. An HIV and drug epidemic rages throughout our counties – drug rehabilitation clinics haven’t been opened or proposed like they have been in West Virginia. We don’t have time to let things get “settled in and up and running.” As SOAR states: “Throughout the region, everyday people like you have come up with solutions to problems.” Eastern Kentucky has historic and pressing issues that demand new ideas. We need community-driven solutions that foster healing, innovation and creativity. Prisons have not and will not help us realize those solutions. Federal initiatives such as the White House’s POWER+ Plan and the new AML [Abandoned Mine Lands] program receive only a fraction of public investment compared to the proposed U.S. penitentiary. My questions to you: What if your ideas for a 21st century Kentucky had $444 million of investment? What would #our444million look like? Please share what you would invest in with $444 million. Use the hashtag #our444million. The above op-ed ran in the Lexington Herald-Leader on June 5.
Ada Smith has been pointing out the failure of prisons as economic development for years. This photo is from the “Kentucky Deserves Better” rally at U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers' office in October 2011.
#our444million: more creative and innovative solutions possible Members of the Letcher Governance Project held a nonviolent silent protest June 6 at the SOAR (Shaping Our Appalachian Region) Innovation Summit in Pikeville. The group demanded more creative and innovative solutions for eastern Kentucky’s economy than an additional federal prison. The protest is part of the group’s #our444million social media campaign, which was launched after the announcement that $444 million in taxpayer dollars had been allocated for the development of a federal prison in Letcher County. The campaign aims to demonstrate that there are better economic solutions for the region than prisons, and $444 million would go a long way towards implementing those
solutions. The Letcher Governance Project additionally is concerned with the gradual increase of prisons in the central Appalachian region. The proposed Letcher County prison would be the fourth that U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers has worked to bring to eastern Kentucky. The three previous examples – prisons in McCreary, Martin and Clay counties – have not significantly contributed to the economies of those communities. Two recently-opened prisons in nearby Wise County, Virginia, also have failed to deliver on early promises of jobs and economic benefits. The Letcher Governance Project points to these counties as proof that prisons do not boost rural
Share your ideas and see what others are thinking on how $444 million could be used to improve life and the economy in eastern Kentucky. Tweet your ideas: #our444million Visit: www.letchergovproject.com
economies. The campaign and protest demonstrate that many people from the area oppose the prison, contrary to the statements of local officials, Rep. Rogers and Bureau of Prisons officials. Letcher Governance Project members have submitted dozens of comments to the Bureau of Prisons citing social, economic and environmental concerns with the proposal. However, Rogers and the BoP officials have consistently refused to acknowledge these concerns in public statements. That prompted the Letcher Governance Project to protest during Rogers’ presence at the SOAR Innovation Summit, and to call on him to consider other solutions for eastern Kentucky’s economy. They specifically asked for solutions that foster healing, improve working conditions and better standards of living. Residents across the region have used the #our444million hashtag to envision what that kind of economy might look like, and urge Rogers to acknowledge and act on those ideas. Finally, the Letcher Governance Project expressed solidarity with groups working across the country to change the U.S. criminal justice system by stating unequivocally that black lives matter to eastern Kentuckians. The U.S. overwhelmingly imprisons more people of color than white people, and Letcher Governance members stated their refusal to allow local economies in eastern Kentucky to be dependent on this form of racist exploitation.
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 13
Local Updates
CKY members learn about intervening in violent situations KFTC members learned about being an “active bystander” at a May 31 training the Central Kentucky KFTC Chapter sponsored with Green Dot Lexington. “During the course of the evening, KFTC members enhanced their understanding of different intervention techniques that diffuse tension in potentially high-risk situations, and expanded their awareness on everyday ways they can advocate for community safety,” said Green Dot facilitator Meredith Swim. Green Dot teaches that there are three ways to intervene in a violent situation – the Three Ds. The Three Ds are: direct, delegate and distract. Direct is directly engaging with the situation, but many of us might struggle to do that so we can also delegate to friends and family of the victim or the police. Or, we can create a distraction and de-escalate the situation. “The Green Dot Lexington training was instrumental in examining the barriers that might prevent me from intervening in any given situation, and gave me three simple options for overcoming or circumventing the barriers,” said training
participant Colette Crown. “It is very easy to remember the 3 Ds.” Green Dot is a nationally celebrated nonviolence program that believes our everyday decisions hold the power to prevent and reduce violence in our home community. Each time we choose to act to ensure the safety of others, we are putting a green dot (a moment of safety) on our community map. Central Kentucky chapter members decided to partner with Green Dot to helps us be active bystanders in our community, and more specifically in the activist community. At times it seems that as activists we might believe that we have it all figured out – we are always peaceful and respectful to one another and interpersonal violence is not a problem. But there are moments of power-based violence in the activist community, too, and chapter members wanted to offer this training as a way to address that violence and be a part of creating a safer community for all. According to Green Dot Lexington, “We love Lexington, and we envision Lexington's community map to be filled with green dots, showing that here in the bluegrass, we do not tolerate any form of violence, and everyone is expected to do their part in keeping this community safe.” “Green Dot Lexington unites Lexingtonians in the mission of cultivating a safer community, and KFTC members are actively making this vision a reality. Aligned with the mission of green dot, these empowered activists purposefully channel their passion for social justice to promote and ensure safety for all,” said Swim. “Green Dot Lexington was excited to partner with KFTC and host a bystander workshop where engaged attendees strengthened their commitment to prevent, reduce and stop power-based personal violence by choosing to be acADDING THEIR GREEN DOT … Here are some folks in the Lexington area now tive bystanders,” Swim added. “Green Dot Lexington loved connecting with better trained to be active bystanders in violent situations.
— Rachel Norton KFTC and looks forward to seeing how these community change-makers continue to shape a safer, more compassionate city.” Through interactive talks and trainings, Green Dot Lexington educates community members to be aware and active bystanders, equipping them with the personal tools needed to peacefully resolve potential moments of conflict and live lives that promote respect and safety for all. A green dot is a moment of safety. A green dot is the moment a bystander decides to act and use his or her words, actions or behaviors to diffuse tension and stop an act of violence from occurring. A green dot is making sure everyone gets home from the bar safely. A green dot is checking in on someone you’re concerned about with a text. A green dot is having a conversation with loved ones about the importance of looking out for one another and fellow community members. A green dot is liking Green Dot Lexington on Facebook and learning more on ways to can get involved in creating a safer and more compassionate Lexington. Email greendotlexington@gmail.com to learn about attending a bystander training.
Wilderness Trace members excited to host 4th Down Home Barn Bash
Social media corner www.KFTC.org/facebook To find chapter Facebook pages, visit: www.kftc.org/links www.flickr.com/photos/KFTCphotos @KFTC @NKY_KFTC @ScottCoKFTC @MadCo_KFTC @EKY_KFTC
“Talking about violence is something that is difficult for most people, so to have a group of willing participants gather for that purpose was amazing. I learned a lot and am planning on having conversations with people I care about and work with about the things I learned, and that I strongly believe that violence in our community is unacceptable. Thanks to all the speakers!”
@JCKFTC @WT_KFTC @SoKyKFTC @VotingRightsKY @CanaryProject
The Wilderness Trace KFTC Chapter will celebrate another year of good work with a big barn party that the whole community is invited to attend. Chapter members will host the fourth annual Down Home Barn Bash, an evening of family fun, local food, music, art and learning, on Saturday, July 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Woodwind Farm, located at 36 Yates Road in Junction City. Leah Bayens, one of the KFTC members planning the event, is excited to again co-host the Barn Bash at her family’s farm. “The Barn Bash at Woodwind Farm offers a great opportunity to get together to learn about KFTC’s statewide work and about how Wilderness Trace chapter members are helping make the ‘heart of Central Kentucky’ a good place to live,” said Bayens. “My family loves hosting friends and neighbors, old and new, to talk about the things that matter most to us: building healthy, safe, and vibrant communities.” The Wilderness Trace chapter includes Boyle, Mercer, Garrard and Lincoln counties.
14 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Local Updates
Film series in Scott County helps open eyes to racist history By Clare White The Scott County chapters of KFTC and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Georgetown College’s Office of Diversity came together earlier this year to sponsor a series of documentary film showings about racial issues. On three successive Tuesday nights, they screened the PBS documentary “Race: The Power of an Illusion.” Each showing was free of charge and open to the community and the college. Out of the 40-50 attendees each night, around 20-25 people remained for discussion afterwards. The first episode, “The Difference Between Us,” explained how little difference actually exists between races on a biological level. “The Story We Tell” narrated the history of race as a social construction, why a few powerful people benefited from the invention of race, how different racial stereotypes came into existence, and why we still believe them now. “The House We Live In” described the reasons for the wealth gap and how the wealth gap self-perpetuates, and delved deeper into issues of privilege. Scott County KFTC members came up with the idea of the events, purchased the series, and reached out to GC
Each of the three films shown by the Scott County chapter and the NAACP prompted a lot of discussion, which took place in the Georgetown College library.
and the NAACP about organizing together. Several chapter members attended each event to learn, facilitate discussion and participate in discussion. Mary Lou White talked about growing up as a white child in North Carolina in the 1950s and 1960s with a black nanny and her parents telling her never to say anything to her nanny, Minnie, about their races. She worried that being black might be bad and that her nanny was unhappy. When she couldn’t resist asking whether Minnie minded being black, she was relieved to hear, “Oh, honey, I like it fine!” She also recalled a riot at her high school and black students taking over the school, and later coming to understand her former classmates’ frustration and the importance of the Civil Rights Movement. She was the member who first brought up the idea of doing a racial justice event. Other chapter members brought up the disenfranchisement of black voters in Kentucky. (Scott County KFTC registered 15 new voters at the screenings, all college students.) The Georgetown College Office of Diversity provided dinner and arranged for students to earn credits for attending an out-of-classroom learning experience, which encouraged as many as 35 students to attend each showing. Robbie Barber, the office’s director, shared her experience growing up mixed-race. She spoke of being the only mixed child in her school, reactions to her parents' marriage and intimate details of her family history. Students had a lot to say about interracial friendships and dating. They told stories about getting called racial slurs when meeting their dates’ families, secret relationships, spending their entire childhoods in school districts with no students of color, and going to schools where people of different races rarely became friends. The Sociology Department also helped facilitate discussion at one showing. Scott County NAACP helped select the documentary series, and several members attended the discussions as facilitators. All three organizations worked on publicity. During discussions, attendees agreed that opportunities to talk and share are critical to progress. As pointed out in
On a more personal note, I was fascinated by personal stories from the previous generation during discussion, and shocked by the historical events shown in the movies that created the systemically racist society I live in. I thought I knew all the important stuff – lower academic scores are really because of income and not intrinsically linked to race; drug use rates don’t really vary between races much and really lean more towards a higher rate of white users; poverty perpetuates itself. But I found out that the stereotype that black people are usually better runners actually came from powerful white people trying to explain away Jesse Owens’ Olympic gold medals by portraying black people as more “primitive” and more athletic, and it blew me away. I never knew that white superiority was encouraged by public officials to gain the support of low-income white voters who simply want to feel like they have something – anything – going for them, even if it’s just their race. I learned a lot more than I expected, and I’m really happy that these documentaries will be shown every year or perhaps every semester at the college in the future, and that the Office of Diversity is responding enthusiastically to requests for more events like these. — Clare White
“Race: The Power of an Illusion,” we cannot write off race as “just color” and romanticize a “color blind” society; the effects of racism run deeper than daily personal interactions. Being nice to each other does not solve problems that exist on a systemic level, like mass incarceration and the wealth gap. Fear of uncomfortable emotions makes us look for scapegoats and run away from productivity.
Timing perfect for voter conversations at Covington’s Maifest event The Northern Kentucky chapter recently helped celebrate Maifest with the community by having a table in Mainstrasse! The yearly weekend-long festival in Covington is often well attended, features booths from organizations and businesses from throughout the community, carnival rides for families, and music on four different stages. The festival this year was scheduled the weekend before Kentucky’s primary election, and members saw it as a great place to meet people from throughout the region. The chapter passed out information about www.kentuckyelection.org to more than 200 voters! Members were excited to point to the fact that all 10 candidates for Covington City Commission and four candidates for mayor of Covington responded to our survey, and to talk about various campaigns KFTC is working on statewide. Many of the members who helped table had joined in the past six months and were excited to be able to speak to people in the community about the work the organization has been doing. From voting rights to tax reform to clean energy and more, it was a great opportunity for members to feel more comfortable talking about our organization. Despite an uncharacteristically cold weekend, the chapter was able to recruit 10 new members, register a few voters, and help remind people about the election. With the success of this festival, the chapter is looking forward to similar opportunities on the horizon.
Photo right: KFTC was well represented at the Maifest, an annual festival in Covington’s Mainstrasse Village. Jade Young, Kwabena Boateng and Sean Hertzsch staffed KFTC’s information table – their first weekend of tabling for KFTC!
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 15
Local Updates
Rowan members raise pipeline awareness for Earth Day By Annie Adams
As luck would have it, one of the U.S. Senate candidates was stopping by the same business while on the campaign To commemorate Earth Day, the Rowan County KFTC trail that Friday, so the chapter was able to speak to the local Chapter created new opportunities to raise awareness of the press covering the candidate’s visit. Utica Marcellus Texas Pipeline Project, a.k.a. Kinder Mor- Doug Doerrfeld presented a succinct overview of the gan’s proposal to re-purpose the Tennessee Gas Pipeline to issue to a reporter for the local NPR station (WMKY), and carry hazardous natural gas liquids (NGLs). Chris Merritt had a productive conversation with Larry De On Friday, April 22, chapter members set up a table out- hart, the reporter who had authored the wonderful series on side of the Fuzzy Duck, a local coffee shop and bookstore in the pipeline project for the Morehead News. downtown Morehead, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. provided On Monday, April 25, chapter members drove out to patrons and passers-by with information about the dangers neighborhoods in the direct path of the pipeline and, workof NGLs and the perils of repurposing a 70-year-old pipe- ing in pairs, went door to door, providing homeowners with line. essential information about the re-purposing project. Those who stopped to talk were given helpful handouts People within the community were aware of the pipeand recent news articles on the re-purposing project as well lines that ran so close to their homes, and many expressed a as copies of Balancing the Scales and promotional materials real concern regarding the dangers of a re-purposing project. for KFTC. While chapter members clearly conveyed the fact that this business venture would require Kentucky to assume all of the risk for none of the profits, they also focused on the power of communal resistance, noting the positive action that has already been taken in Rowan County’s Fiscal Court and the successful efforts in western Massachusetts that caused Kinder-Morgan to halt a $3 billion pipeline project there. The response to the chapter’s efforts was overwhelmingly positive. Some homeowners expressed appreciation for KFTC efforts, and one woman even offered to follow up with neighbors. Here’s the Rowan County canvassing group (left to right): Doug Doerrfeld, Kathryn Reeder, one of the chapJoy Gritton, Erik Lewis, Kathryn Reeder and Sue Tallichet. They visited with ter volunteers, noted: “April 25 was a families in neighborhoods in the path of the hazardous liquids pipeline. banner day for the KFTC pipeline can-
Annie Adams staffed the KFTC table outside the Fuzzy Duck coffee shop and bookstore in Morehead with information about the route of the proposed pipeline.
vassing group here in Rowan County. We visited dozens of homes to make residents better aware of the pipeline running through their neighborhoods and the dangerous implications of that pipeline should Kinder Morgan be allowed to repurpose it. We informed some folks and commiserated with others – all the while expressing that only our joined voices can keep our county safe.” Not wishing to let the positive momentum of the day go to waste, chapter member Erik Lewis tentatively secured a day for a public forum to be held at an elementary school that is dangerously close to the pipeline. At the forum, the chapter will be screening “The End Of The Line,” the documentary that records the successful citizens’ campaign to stop the proposed Bluegrass Pipeline in central Kentucky. The chapter also will be formulating ways to foster more community involvement. Check out future updates from the Rowan County chapter for more on this important initiative.
Thanks
Members help put skids on discriminatory ordinance before Letcher Fiscal Court
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!
Several Letcher County members helped slow, and hopefully stop, a local ordinance aimed at defying federal directives about access to public restrooms for transgendered people. According to the Mountain Eagle, county fiscal court members voted at their regular May meeting to direct the county attorney to determine whether it can formally declare that Letcher County’s government will not comply with any law or regulation that opens public restrooms to transgendered people. That created quite a stir in the county. About 15 local residents attended a May 20 special meeting called to deal with the county budget. After dealing with an unannounced change in location and having to insist that they be given the opportunity to speak, eight local residents did address court members to voice their concerns. They made sure their comments related to the budget – specifically how the county does not have it in their budget to enforce such a ridiculous and illegal ordinance. The fiscal court has its next regular meeting in early June. KFTC members are hoping their action and the numerous phones calls magistrates have been receiving will keep the ordinance off the agenda. In conversations with the magistrates and county judge-executive, members learned that county officials are acting based on misinformation about transgendered people. They hope continued dialogue will help officials fully understand how harmful and hurtful this discrimination would be.
16 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
member commentary
The Magic of the Open Mic Debates Series in Louisville By Kevin Cowherd I know what you are thinking. “Really, what’s so magical about a couple of debates?” Yes, we are only talking about two events and, yes, the combined attendance was less than 100 people. However, the ideation and implementation of the Open Mic Debate Series is the beginning of something powerful. Regarding ideation, the focus of the May 17 Kentucky primary election was completely consumed by the U.S. presidential race. There was an anticipation of a typical low voter turnout for the state. One way to combat this challenge is to remind people that local politics matter! So many people are so consumed by the presidential race that they neglect all the other offices and candidates that will appear on their ballot. This lack of awareness of local races seemed to be a factor in low voter turnout. Therefore, maybe the key to increasing voter turnout is to better inform voters of local races that impact them more directly than the presidency. It’s not enough to just do a voter registration drive. Voter registration should always be followed by voter education. That was the whole idea behind the Open Mic Debate Series. The concept came from initial conversations about facilitating candidate forums for some Metro Council races in Louisville. At the heart of the matter, we knew that Metro Districts 2, 4 and 6 had races, and we knew we wanted to help inform residents in those districts of the candidates, considering that these districts have few races of this magnitude. The idea of increasing voter turnout by specifically focusing on promoting awareness of local races is a genius way to make very direct impacts to somewhat broad but targeted demographics. For example, only 1,788 democratic ballots were cast in the May 2012 primary in Metro District 2. This year, Metro District 2 saw 3,608. Of course, there are many factors that
attributed to doubling the primary turnout for this district, but I strongly believe the heighte n e d awareness via debate promotion was o n e o f Members of the Malcolm X Debate Team at the University of Louisville were part of the core planning team for the Metro Council candidate debates. Pictured are, left to right, Jamitra Fulleord, Brina Joiner, Nuri them. R e - Thompson, KFTC Organizer Alicia Hurle, Tanisha Hickerson, Courtney Brown, Thomas Gordon and Ted Gatlin. garding implementation, it is absolutely amazing how the efforts of aided in the promotion of the events as well. a few people can snowball into something so impactful. The Furthermore, the organizational connections that were enormity of the work required was a bit overwhelming. The made and the relationships fostered while implementing core planning team that consisted mainly of KFTC members these events set a sound foundation for implementing future and two members of Louisville Urban League Young Profes- events for similar causes. sionals (LULYP) managed to schedule two separate events Which brings me back to the magic: what we did has for the same week. all the potential to become better. The impact is extremely We worked with Louisville Public Library and Newburg targeted, but the outcome is limitless. If we increase voter Middle School to reserve venues. Targeted marketing was a education and engagement at a local metro district level, challenge due to the Derby being so close to the primary. The who’s to say that doesn’t spark the same voters to take a wider Louisville Black Lawyers Association and the University of yet more informed focus at all the other local offices directly Louisville Malcolm X Debate Team assisted with the format, related to them? time-keeping and moderation. Imagine the impact that these actions may have on Forward Radio provided audio and recording. Alpha general election turnout. Conclusively, further ideation and Phi Alpha assisted with some flyer creation, promotion and implementation focused on Metro Council Debates has facilitation. Many neighborhood organizations and churches promise.
Madison chapter and the Moonshiner’s Ball make a great team During the weekend of May 20, Madison heart to care for others and the ethical fortiCounty chapter members joined others from tude to forsake the easy road for doing what's across the state, and many visiting from outside right,” Young added. “Through contributions the commonwealth, for a moon-soaked musito KFTC, financially or with hard work and cal partnership. time, we are provided with a collective that is For the third year in a row the organizpowerful enough to rally on our behalf. We ers of the Moonshiner’s Ball Music Festival are so grateful that you all are out there doing invited KFTC to work alongside them to bring the work you do.” KFTC’s vision and issues to festival-goers. In addition to having a portion of ticket “Our work with the Moonshiner’s Ball is sales donated to KFTC, chapter members meant to entertain, but also to build commuwere encouraged to volunteer at the festival nity, and KFTC is the ultimate model for that,” working at the main merchandise table where Leslie and Ernie Campbell said festival producer Travis Young, a KFTC helped staff the KFTC members had the tremendous opportunity to member. “The people that we draw are much information table. speak with more than a thousand folks about like the people that you represent – in most KFTC’s local and statewide work. cases they are one and the same. “It was really amazing being exposed to such a large “Individually they don’t have the deep pockets required crowd at the Moonshiner’s Ball,” added chapter member to have as much of a voice in the world as they deserve. What Henry Marshall. “Being able to interact with them through they do have is considerable artistic talent, great vision, the KFTC was incredible – the response from people who were
awesomely on board with the whole idea of KFTC helped me to realize that the masses really do want to see a positive change happen in their neighborhoods, their communities and their country!” Added Ernie Campbell, “Beyond the music, which was unparalleled, the sense of community – even when the heavy rain set in – was an uplifting experience for everyone involved. Tucked away in the hills of Madison County, Homegrown Hideaways set the perfect stage for music and community building. The beautiful view of those Red Lick Mountains reminded me of the importance of KFTC'S work on land reform.” “KFTC thanks everyone who is a part of the Moonshiner’s Ball for a wonderful weekend, even through the rain,” said Kris Tina Anderson, a newer member who volunteered over that weekend. “We really appreciate the community development and opportunities that are created by this event. We look forward to continuing being a part of this event in the future!”
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 17
Steering Committee explores deeper voter engagement work
On May 20-21, the KFTC Steering Committee met for “This will be an opportunity for us to use the power Generally folks are motivated by feelings of hope, fear, gratia retreat in Junction City near Danville. The retreat focused we’ve built to have conversations about race, class and pow- fication, despair and other emotions. The committee brainstormed the emotions that make on KFTC’s voter empowerment program and included a er,” Beasley Brown added. debrief of the primary election, a discussion of the political “People feel powerless, like no one is listening to them,” them want to vote and participate. Then, they discussed the landscape, and skill building opportunities around messag- said Alan Smith of Bowling Green, affirming Beasley Brown’s kinds of messages KFTC can use to conjure those feelings for other people. They talked about strategies for deepening ing, data, canvassing and more. suggestion about having lots of conversations. “The Voter Engagement workshop was more than in- “People want to feel heard,” added Leah Bayens of the KFTC messaging this fall, including starting earlier, rolling teresting,” noted JoAnn Schwartz of the Northern Kentucky Wilderness Trace chapter. In this political climate, “some out lots of letters to the editor on our issues, experimenting chapter. “Using the things we people are gravitating toward with shorter sound bites, texting and more. learned will help bring about a a message of hate. But, also, Next, the workshop focused on the power of data to "Our electoral work reminds citizens greater degree of lasting change.” there are lots of people gravi- inform and strengthen voter work. The committee received that they do have a voice in their The retreat began in a beautating to a message of hope. a tutorial on the Voter Activation Network (VAN) and how government and they need to use it. it can be used not only to support electoral work but also tiful barn. Wilderness Trace We can help fill that space.” I believe our last gubernatorial race to strengthen outreach in general. Committee members member Leah Bayens hosted the After discussing the podemonstrated that all too well. So practiced the ways in which the VAN can be used to target Steering Committee on her famlitical landscape, the Steering whether we are having conversations ily’s farm, where they circled up Committee got down to the various groups of voters. or canvassing, we arrive with the for the election debrief. business of increasing their “I’d like to get more into the Voter Activation Network expectation that citizens can and with my chapter,” said White. “It’s a useful tool for mapping Although committee memvoter engagement skills. should empower themselves. Our out particular neighborhoods and getting to know the people bers were disappointed that They learned about workshops gave us new insights and for get-out-the-vote work just before an election.” Sellus Wilder, the candidate KFTC’s approach to electoral and hands-on strategies for reaching After geeking out on data, the committee members KFTC’s New Power PAC enwork, called Integrated Voter out and helping to make that learned more about the strategy of “deep canvassing.” Deep dorsed in the U.S. Senate race, Engagement (IVE). Unlike difference, voter by voter." did not win, they did express typical campaign work which canvassing is an approach to going door-to-door that really — Sue Tallichet appreciation for the kind of camis focused solely on candi- aims to get at root prejudices and feelings of disempowerpaign KFTC and Wilder ran. dates and the election, IVE ment that can cause so much polarization. Whereas typical Committee members were particularly excited that two is year-round, focuses on building power, is rooted in values canvassing involves knocking on someone’s door and then other candidates spotlighted by the New Power PAC did and issues, builds long-term power people-to-people, and is quickly telling them what you think they should do or think win. McKenzie Cantrell won her primary race in the 38th about expanding and strengthening the electorate and our or how they should vote, deep canvassing attempts to engage folks in a longer conversation where the person being canHouse district in Louisville. And Attica Scott won her pri- democracy. vassed does most of the talking. The idea is to allow people to mary in the 41st district in Louisville. KFTC’s voter work involves four phases: think through their own assumptions and prejudices. Scott has no challenger in the fall, so she will be the next Phase 1: voter registration Deep canvassing is non-judgmental, involves actively lisrepresentative for that district. She is the first African AmeriPhase 2: voter education tening, is built on modeling vulnerability, and helps connect can woman elected to the state legislature in nearly 20 years. Phase 3: Get Out The Vote (GOTV) around core values. Deep canvassing can have much longer “I was really pleased to hear how our endorsements Phase 4Ever: post election organizing! lasting impacts than typical canvassing. worked out, especially in the Kentucky House races in Louisville,” said Homer White of Scott County. “Jefferson County KFTC references “Phase 4ever” simply in recogni- “Although deep canvassing will be a challenge to each chapter members dove into the voter empowerment work tion that the work should always be about building power, chapter, it is a great avenue to provide accurate information with great enthusiasm and they were really excited to have strengthening democracy and getting more folks engaged. to the voters and, more importantly, get to know what our those victories!” Throughout all four phases, KFTC also does candidate en- neighbors think,” offered Schwartz. “Connecting with more people, constructing better chapters, building more power Daniel Morgan, the Jefferson County Steering Commit- gagement and policy work. tee alternate, agreed and noted that while some of the politi- “KFTC’s voter work is about talking to folks one on one. … it could really help us with that.” cal landscape is worrisome, there are pockets of hope. We spread our vision. We recruit people and build power,” After all the skill building, Steering Committee members broke into small groups to begin to make voter empow “We were able to spotlight three great candidates this explained Leslie Bebensee from the Scott County chapter. time. That shows a changing climate,” he said. “It’s starting “And we never leave,” noted Sharon Murphy of Lexing- erment plans their chapters might pursue this fall. at the ground level and building up. Our ideas are becoming ton. “We stay in contact so more tenable to voters. It means people are willing to hear people can stay engaged beyond and talk about our issues. Candidates are standing on our is- the election. We help people see sues and are able to win! That gives me hope and optimism.” and learn how to make change In thinking of the political landscape headed toward the beyond the election.” fall general election, the Steering Committee discussed start- Murphy added, “Phase ing earlier, especially as it relates to the New Power PAC’s 4ever is the backbone for social endorsement process. They noted that there may be some justice. It allows us to engage races that chapters are particularly interested in. It wasn’t lost and inform the public on ison the committee that there will also be a very interesting sues that matter the most.” presidential election. The workshop then fo “We have to think about Donald Trump as a candidate cused on the art of mesand us – KFTC – as a primarily white working class orga- saging within our electoral nization. What does that mean for us?” asked Dana Beasley work. Committee members Brown, KFTC’s chairperson. “It’s important that we have discussed the impact that conversations with lots of people in our communities about framing has on people’s view of our values and Kentucky values and how Trump’s message an issue. They noted that facts The Steering Committee met in a beautiful barn in Junction City, hosted by Leah Bayens doesn’t align with those.” don’t usually motivate people. and her family, for their annual spring retreat. Photo by Lee Ann Paynter
18 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Voter Empowerment KFTC’s Integrated Voter Engagement work is essential for building long-term New Power rooted in values and vision. The many important local, state and national elections in 2016 provide KFTC with opportunities to speak to voters about issues that matter in their lives and candidates who can make a difference.
The Northern Kentucky chapter finds many opportunities to table at local events, such as community festivals and farmers markets, to talk to voters and non-voters about KFTC’s work. The recent Maifest in Covington gave Sister Joyce Moeller (right) the chance to talk about the upcoming May primary election and refer people to KFTC’s Voter Guide.
See the Steering Committee story on page 17 for more about Integrated Voter Engagement.
KFTC activates the New Power PAC to inform voters about primary election candidates
KFTC publishes a Voter Guide each election cycle with responses from candidates to questions about KFTC’s primary issues. The online 2016 Primary Election Guide got a high rate of response from candidates, and included races for the U.S. Senate (Democratic primary), U.S. House, several state Senate and House seats, and the mayor and city commis sioners in Covington. The guide will be updated for the fall general election.
In the May 2016 primary election, KFTC leadership saw a good opportunity to endorse some candidates who share their values and vision for Kentucky. These candidates were Sellus Wilder, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, and Attica Scott and McKenzie Cantrell, both Jefferson County candidates for the Kentucky House of Representatives. In the weeks leading up to the May 17 election, the New Power PAC produced the following materials in support of on-the-ground work in Scott’s and Cantrell’s districts and across the state. √ In early May the KFTC Executive Committee sent a letter to 3,891 member households outside Louisville informing them that KFTC had endorsed Sellus Wilder. A second letter went to 1,882 member house-
holds in Louisville about the endorsement of Wilder, Attica Scott and McKenzie Cantrell. √ Seven different postcards spotlighting one or a combination of the endorsed candidates were sent to members and non-members. Across all candidates, KFTC sent 28,911 postcards. √ The PAC’s ad endorsing Wilder ran in 10 newspapers in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and eastern Kentucky. √ KFTC members published letters to the editor endorsing Wilder in several newspapers. ay PAC: M wer New Po
Social Media KFTC’s endorsement strategy also included social media, with ads targeted at specific groups likely to be supportive of the candidates.
Get Out The Vote efforts in the Southern Kentucky chapter included Aeryn Darst, Meredith Wadlington, Kate McElroy and Tim Kercheville with postcards spotlighting U.S. Senaye candidate Sellus Wilder.
http://kentuckyelection.org/ 2016
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√ Facebook ads endorsing Wilder reached 151,223 people. Targeted were KFTC members, friends of members, Bernie Sanders supporters and young people in eastern Kentucky. They were engaged with 13,320 times – the total of likes, comments and shares.
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√ The PAC created two videos of Wilder speaking at a Louisville forum that were viewed 36,069 times. √ Online ads for Attica Scott and McKenzie Cantrell were geo-targeted to their districts. Ads were served to people who were likely to engage in progressive politics. The reach for Scott ads: 16,974. The reach for Cantrell ads: 16,579. √ Though not documented, many members also promoted these three candidates through their own social media networks and among their friends and family.
The New Power PAC sent more than 28,000 postcards spotlighting one or more of the endorsed candidates.
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 19
Annual membership meeting preparation underway KFTC’s statewide Annual Membership Meeting will take place August 26-28 at the General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton. The annual meeting is a time for all KFTC members to gather to celebrate great work over the past year, learn new skills and hold the yearly business meeting. This year’s gathering will also provide an occasion to celebrate KFTC’s 35th anniversary. During the business portion of the meeting, members will consider the proposed platform, elect statewide officers and accept new or renewing chapters for the coming year. In preparation for the statewide annual meeting, all KFTC chapters across the state hold their chapter annual meetings two months prior, in late May or June. Several chapters have held their meetings already, with several others
taking place throughout June (see schedule to the right). At these meetings, chapter members provide input to the KFTC platform, set local priorities and goals, decide if they wish to continue as a chapter and, if so, select officers. Chapters select a Steering Committee representative and alternate and chapter coordinators for membership, fundraising and publicity. They also agree to raise at least $500 for the statewide organization. In return for their commitment to KFTC, chapters get a seat on the Steering Committee and receive staff time and organizational resources to assist in their work. The Steering Committee considers suggestions for the platform at its July meeting and will offer a draft platform for consideration and adoption by members present at the August statewide annual meeting.
Annual meeting checklist √ Make sure your membership dues are current so you can vote in chapter and statewide elections of leaders and the platform; use the form on page 2. √ Attend your annual chapter meeting and offer input on KFTC’s platform and chapter goals and activities. √ View the August statewide annual meeting program on the next page and register early to attend with the form on page 21 or online at www.kftc.org/annual-meeting. √ Use the form on page 22 to make nominations for a statewide committee.
CHAPTER LEADERSHIP POSITIONS Are you a member of a KFTC chapter? If so, 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
ANNUAL CHAPTER MEETINGS Jefferson County: June 13, 6:30 p.m., First Unitarian Church, 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Shelby County: June 16, 6 p.m, Talon Winery, 400 Gordon Lane, Shelbyville Rowan County: June 16, 6 p.m, St. Albans Church, 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Central Kentucky: June 16, 7 p.m., Northside Lexington Public Library, 1733 Russell Cave Rd., Lexington Perry County: June 20, 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 160 Broadway, Hazard Northern Kentucky: June 21, 7 p.m., Center for Great Neighborhoods, 1650 Russell St., Covington
Membership coordinator Publicity coordinator
Madison County: June 27, 7 p.m., Loyal Jones Appalachian Center, Berea College, 205 N. Main St., Berea
All are important roles for which you will receive training and support. The responsibilities can be shared with others. If interested, please contact your chapter organizer for more information.
The Southern Kentucky, Scott County, Big Sandy, Wilderness Trace, Letcher County and Harlan County chapters held annual chapter meetings in late May or early June.
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 26-28, 2016 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.
KFTC is part of a new fundraising opportunity called MyChange MyChange was started by four former organizers who wanted to level the playing field for progressive causes that are consistently out-raised and outspent by large political organizations. "We started MyChange to transform how progressive work gets funded,” said Eli Il Yong Lee, one of the co-founders. “With large corporate interests trying to hijack our democracy, MyChange is our way of fighting back. MyChange is only for progressive organizations and candidates. Like KFTC has done for decades, we want to bring the power of democracy back to the people." The idea is simple. Sign up for MyChange to “round up” your credit card purchases to the nearest dollar. The “change” goes to your favorite progressive organization. You can also set a cap on how much you donate in a month. MyChange was launched in January 2016, and KFTC is trying it out. Sign up and start giving to KFTC any time you use your credit card by visiting mychange.com/kentuckians-for-the-commonwealth. Let us know what you think by emailing the Development Team at amy@kftc.org or ebeth@kftc.org.
20 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
KFTC 2016 Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting Generating Change: 35 Years of Action for Justice
The Annual Meeting takes place at General Butler State Park, one of Kentucky’s many beautiful state parks.
KFTC was founded in 1981 by folks with a vision for a better Kentucky. They knew they could do more working together than they could alone. They were courageous, determined and strong. That’s who KFTC was then, and that’s who we are now. We’ve built New Power and accomplished some amazing things over the last 35 years. We’ve organized across the state, across issues and across generations – and still are!
August 26-28
Join us at KFTC’s annual meeting to reflect on the stories, victories and lessons learned in our first 35 years. We’ll strategize, build our skills, have fun and celebrate KFTC’s birthday.
4 p.m.
Program Friday, August 26 Registration Opens
7:30 p.m. Opening, Welcome, Kentucky Trivia Night Fun – KFTC’s current platform has 76 planks. How many did our first platform have in 1981? Join us for Kentucky Trivia to find out this and other fun facts from KFTC’s 35 years. Put your KFTC and Bluegrass State knowledge to the test as we work on our ninth goal of organizing – having fun! 9 p.m.
9 a.m.
Social Time and Birthday Party at the Lake
Saturday, August 27 Welcome and Opening
9:30 a.m. Keynote Address: State Representative-Elect Attica Scott 11 a.m.
KFTC Plenary: We’ll share stories and learn from KFTC leaders across the state how grassroots organizing is building power and momentum for progressive social change.
12:30 p.m. Lunch 2 p.m.
Workshops: Choose one of six workshops designed to build our individual and collective skills
Racial Justice in the Work We Do – We’ll look at our current work in environmental, social and economic justice through a racial justice lens. We’ll examine practical applications of weaving racial justice and antioppression into all of our work and strategies as well as ways KFTC can be a good ally with other organizations on these issues. How KFTC Works to Involve and Elevate Voices Through Our Voter Empowerment Work – Participants
will learn methods for registering new voters and reaching out to communities underrepresented in the electoral process. We will learn what it takes to ensure that people go to the polls well informed about the candidates’ views on important issues and ways to plug into the 2016 election. Bringing the Budget Home – What would our communities look like with a state budget that truly reflects our values? It’s a staggering thought, and a story that we have to tell to bring budget justice to Kentucky. We’ll learn ways to connect with folks about the potential of budget justice, and how we can create a better Kentucky together. What Does Home Mean to You? Taking Action on Housing Justice in Kentucky – We know that all Kentuckians deserve access to safe, healthy homes. Join us to learn about the renters’ rights landscape and about how to talk to your elected officials to ensure that all Kentuckians are protected when renting a home. Shifting Power, Generating Change: A grassroots skills workshop on power analyses and campaign strategies – Participants will learn the skills to participate in and facilitate multiple forms of power analyses and to lead others in developing effective strategies for winning shortterm campaigns that build long-term grassroots power. Empower Kentucky: Shaping a Just Transition to a Clean Energy Economy – Over the past year, KFTC has asked thousands of Kentuckians to share their vision and ideas for a bright energy future in Kentucky, one that is good for all of us. In this workshop we’ll review some of the best ideas we’ve gathered and explore ways to take meaningful action. 3:30 p.m. Break: Take a break and relax at General Butler among friends with swimming, hiking, tennis and much more. 7 p.m.
Dinner & Awards Ceremony
9:30 p.m. Cultural Sharing Showcase & Dance Party
Sunday, August 28 9 a.m.
Sunday Morning Workshops: Choose one of four workshops
Building Power Through KFTC Membership – Join us for a workshop to explore why membership is so important to building KFTC’s power. We’ll talk about how asking others to join, renew or become Sustaining Givers is an essential way that we build grassroots power. We’ll discuss what makes asking hard and ways we can make folks feel welcome and invested in KFTC’s work. Making it Sing! Using Art & Culture in Community Organizing – Cultural Organizing is both a set of tools and a set of strategies that can broaden, deepen and diversify the work KFTC members are doing in their communities. Join us for some cultural sharing, brainstorming, and participatory art making and leave ready to use the power of art and culture as a strong force for positive social change in Kentucky. Creating Agendas and Facilitating Meetings – Grassroots organizing often involves meetings – planning them, participating in them and leading them. What makes a meeting productive versus one that isn’t productive? Often a good agenda and facilitator make the difference. Come learn tools and techniques of developing agendas and facilitating meetings. Putting Our Bodies on the Line: Best Practices and Tools for Direct Action and Civil Disobedience – As Kentuckians face a political climate that feels more and more oppressive, it’s time to look at ways to directly and collectively shift the power to a greater degree of justice. We’ll explore tools and best practices for engaging in civil disobedience and direct action. Participants will leave the workshop equipped with a working knowledge of how to safely and effectively put our bodies on the line in the movement for justice. 10:45 a.m. Business Meeting: Join us for this annual opportunity to vote on KFTC’s platform of issues, elect officers and more. 12 p.m.
Adjourn
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
Balancing the Scales | 21
KFTC 2016 Annual MEMBERSHIP Meeting Generating Change: 35 Years of Action for Justice
Registration Form Name(s): ________________________________________________ Name:(s) ________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ City, State, Zip: ___________________________________________ Phone: _______________ Email Address: ______________________ 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 will do our best to accommodate lodging requests, but in order to maximize the amount of overnight lodging slots, we can not guarantee your preference (cabin or lodge room). 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 be handling camping reservations. Primitive tent camping is available for $14 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. 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 www.kftc.org/annual-meeting
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 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!
22 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
kftc leadership More than 100 members participate in KFTC’s leadership structure through issue and governance committees. It’s a great way to be involved, learn more about an issue, contribute your knowledge and experiences, and help shape the strategy for an issue. KFTC is now accepting nominations for the committees listed below. All nominations will be considered by the Leadership Development Committee over the summer. New committee assignments will be finalized in September by the Steering Committee.
KFTC STATEWIDE COMMITTEES ISSUE COMMITTEES Land Reform Committee — Coordinates KFTC’s statewide campaigns on issues connected to natural resources. Meets 3-6 times a year, as needed.
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 of these committees. Nominations will be accepted until June 30.
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 strategy and priorities for three related KFTC campaigns: Rural Electric Co-op Reform, Sustainable Energy, and Appalachian Transition. 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 will include 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. This is a new committee and will establish together when and STATEWIDE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS: how often they meet.
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 performance 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.
KFTC’s statewide committees include: Personnel, Finance, Leadership Development, Land Reform, Economic Justice, New Energy & Transition, Voter Empowerment, Racial Justice and Litigation. You may nominate yourself or other KFTC members for these committees. Nominees for these positions 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.
Due June 30, 2016
Nominee: ____________________________________ Committee nominated for: _______________________ Nominee: ____________________________________ Committee nominated for: _______________________ Nominee: ____________________________________ Committee nominated for: _______________________ Your Name: __________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ Email: _______________________________________
KFTC www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
35 Anniversary th
KFTC turns 35 in August. We’re recalling some of the history of KFTC and the people involved in each issue of balancing the scales in 2016. In the last two issues we looked at some “pre-history” that set the stage for KFTC’s formation in 1981. In this and the next issue we’ll look at the first few meetings with the original founders of KFTC as they explored the need for a group that addressed the injustices identified in the Appalachian Land Ownership Study. “Does a coalition of groups, organizations and/or individuals, organized within the coal region or statewide, to work on land ownership issues through the tax issue, make sense for Kentucky?” That unwieldy question was one that 10 individuals came together to explore at a meeting in Berea on June 25, 1981. The folks all knew each other. They had a history of working in the Appalachian coalfields around land, housing, community service and environmental issues. They also had a connection to the Appalachian Land Ownership Study, recently completed by the Appalachian Alliance. That study documented who owned the land and who paid the taxes in 80 counties in six Appalachian states, including 12 counties in eastern Kentucky where coal is mined. It found that much of the land, and even more of the mineral rights, were owned by absentee corporations, and that for the most part this vast property wealth was under-assessed and under-taxed. As a result, the local tax base for eastern Kentucky communities – needed to support schools and other local government services – was being cheated of tens of millions of dollars in revenue. These injustices were deliberate. The 1978 General Assembly had specifically exempted unmined coal from property taxation. Since the Kentucky constitution requires that all property be fairly assessed and taxed, lawmakers created this exemption by making the tax rate so low – $.001 versus $.315 per $100 of value for other property – that tax assessors didn’t even bother to send out tax bills. This was a political trade-off by then Gov. Julian Carroll, in order to increase the coal
Looking Back …
May and June
30 Years Ago … • A new KFTC chapter forms in Morgan County when
residents discover a company wants to build a hazardous waste incinerator there. The plant was never built.
25 Years Ago … • Jefferson County members present a solid waste
management plan to the city of Louisville, focusing on source reduction, recycling and composting rather than incineration. • The Pocahontas Corp. turns over a check for $296,000 to Martin County officials, representing “the first clear victory of the long-term battle … to hold the major absentee landowners responsible for paying their fair share of the cost of sustaining the government in the coal counties,” reported the East Kentucky Sun.
20 Years Ago … • The Steering Committee votes to open a new office and hire an organizer for western Kentucky to work with
Balancing the Scales | 23
severance tax from 4 percent to 4.5 percent. Severance tax revenue went into the state general fund, with some of it being sent back to counties where coal was mined. The property tax was a primary source of income for local governments and schools, and it was severely undercut by this trade-off. That situation is what helped give the early coalition its initial focus on tax and community services issues. The participants at the June 25 meeting primarily represented organizations working on a regional basis on a variety of issues. They included the Appalachian Research and Defense Fund, Kentucky Rivers Coalition (which became the Kentucky Resources Council), the Highlander Center in Tennessee (which had coordinated the Appalachian land study), the Appalachian Alliance, Council of Southern Mountains, and Appalachian Coalition. While helping to give their unnamed coalition their initial goals and a focus on tax policy changes, they also realized a lot of other people needed to be around the table. They made a list and set another meeting for July 20 in Hazard. As part of the outreach to local citizens, Joe Childers, coordinator of the Kentucky chapter of the land ownership study, and others visited groups like the Concerned Citizens of Martin County and Citizens Organized to An early meeting in Leslie County where Joe Childers (standing) Protect the Environtalked about the Appalachian Land Ownership Study. Others at ment (COPE) in the table are Joe Szakos (left), then a field organizer with the Harlan County to Appalachian Alliance, David Rubenstein with the Appalachian explain the findings Research and Defense Fund, and local citizen Raleigh Adams. of the study. The Martin County group was already starting to challenge tax injustices after some other initial successes. Land ownership and tax issues were not as familiar to COPE members. “When Childers came, that was a turning point in COPE’s focus,” said J.D. Miller. “After his presentation, we began looking seriously at the deeper, underlying issues related to land and mineral ownership in Appalachia, and to talk about what we could do.”
emerging chapters there. • KFTC members and the Center for Responsive Politics team up for a two-day media tour, meeting with 7 major media outlets to talk about campaign finance reform.
15 Years Ago … • One hundred people attend a public hearing in
when state officials label as “frivolous” their petition to declare 218 acres off-limits to strip mining. Residents in Eolia (Letcher County) are victorious when a coal company withdraws plans for a valley fill that would have buried two miles of streams. • KFTC members use the May primary elections for many local, state and federal offices to focus on issues ranging from air quality to restoration of voting rights to the minimum wage to mountaintop removal.
Madisonville about controls on confined animal feeding operations, or factory farms. Western Kentucky members are part of efforts to protect rural communities from an influx of CAFOs due to lax environmental controls. • Rowan County members challenge a new and unneeded interstate connector road that would cut through the middle of the largest unpaved tract of the Daniel Boone National Forest in In 2011, the senior art class at Cordia the county. School in the Lotts Creek community (Knott County) created an art project 10 Years Ago … to send to EPA officials showing places they love in their community that were • Montgomery Creek (Perry threatened by proposed mining. County) residents are angry
5 Years Ago … • After camping out in his office in February, KFTC members host Gov. Steve Beshear in eastern Kentucky to hear about protecting water, a just economic transition and mining problems. • Members served by a rural electric co-ops work to democratize the co-op structure, win board seats, pass a co-op members’ bill of rights and gain support for energy efficiency and renewables. • Members focus attention on the federal budget and Rep. Hal Rogers’ role in supporting budget cuts that hurt people and programs in his own district.
24 | Balancing the Scales
www.kftc.org | June 9, 2016
calendar of events June 13 – Annual chapter meeting Jefferson County: 6:30 p.m. First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Alicia@kftc.org or 502-589-3188
July 9 – Bimonthly meeting KFTC Steering Committee 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Info: Heather@kftc.org or 859-276-0563
June 16 – Meeting & Pie Auction Shelby County: 6 p.m, Talon Winery 400 Gordon Lane, Shelbyville Info: Carissa@kftc.org or 502-208-1696
July 11 – Chapter meeting Jefferson County: 6:30 p.m. First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Alicia@kftc.org or 502-589-3188
June 16 – Annual chapter meeting Rowan County: 6 p.m., St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Info: Sara@kftc.org or 606-632-0051
July 11 – Chapter meeting Wilderness Trace: 7 p.m. InterCounty Energy Community Room 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713
June 16 – Annual chapter meeting Central Kentucky: 7 p.m. Northside Lexington Public Library 1733 Russell Cave Rd., Lexington Info: BethHoward@kftc.org or 859-276-0563
July 18 – Chapter meeting Northern Kentucky: 7 p.m. Center for Great Neighborhoods 1650 Russell St., Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103
June 20 – Annual chapter meeting Perry County: 6 p.m. First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 160 Broadway, Hazard Info: Jessie@kftc.org or 606-263-4982
July 21 – Chapter meeting Shelby County: 6 p.m. Stratton Community Center, 215 W. Washington St., Shelbyville Info: Carissa@kftc.org or 502-208-1696
June 21 – Annual chapter meeting Northern Kentucky: 7 p.m. Center for Great Neighborhoods 1650 Russell St., Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103
July 21 – Chapter meeting Rowan County: 6 p.m., St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Info: Sara@kftc.org or 606-632-0051
June 27 – Annual chapter meeting Madison County: 7 p.m. Loyal Jones Appalachian Center Berea College, 205 N. Main St., Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713
July 21 – Chapter meeting Central Kentucky: 7 p.m. Northside Lexington Public Library 1733 Russell Cave Rd., Lexington Info: BethHoward@kftc.org or 859-276-0563
June 28 – Chapter meeting Southern Kentucky: 6 p.m. The Foundry 531 W. 11th Ave, Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989 Deadline for submitting nominations for KFTC statewide committee membership – see page 22 July 7 – Chapter meeting Scott County: 6:30 p.m. 1st Christian Church of Georgetown 112 E. College St., Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103
July 25 – Chapter meeting Madison County: 7 p.m. Loyal Jones Appalachian Center Berea College, 205 N. Main St., Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 July 26 – Chapter meeting Southern Kentucky: 6 p.m. The Foundry 531 W. 11th Ave, Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989 Pay the Rent Party for KFTC, 6 p.m. Roebling Point Books and Coffee, 306 Greenup Street in Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103
Tim Buckingham and Beth Bissmeyer transition from KFTC staff in May
Two members of KFTC’s staff transitioned to other opportunities in May. Tim Buckingham was a Communications Associate. He served KFTC in a variety of communications and development roles, including designing many graphic products, helping coordinate events, planning communications strategy and editing this publication, Balancing the Scales. Tim had been on staff since 2007 and worked from the Lexington office. Beth Bissmeyer has been a KFTC member and leader for more than a decade. She attended Berea College and was active in the Madison County chapter as a student and later with the Jefferson County chapter. She joined the KFTC staff in January 2013 as an organizer with the Madison and Wilderness Trace chapters. In April 2015, Beth moved into the role of Tax Justice Organizer and worked from the Louisville office. KFTC is in the process of hiring for both positions. Open positions are posted at www.kftc.org/jobs.