September 2017 - balancing the scales

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

balancing the

scales

Volume 36 Number 5

Reflections on Charlottesville and DACA ............................. 4-5 New Organizing Academy! ...... 7 Taxes and pensions ............. 8-9 In the Belly of the Beast ......... 11

September 14, 2017

Local chapter updates ...... 17-21 ANNUAL MEETING REPORT • Lots of photos ................. 12-13 • Members challenged .......... 14 • First-ever Zine ...................... 15 • Annual awards ..................... 16 … and much more inside!

KFTC members speak up for health care Eastern Kentucky rally, other events mobilize members .

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

KFTC Steering Committee Meta Mendel-Reyes, chairperson Randy Wilson, vice chairperson Christian Torp, secretary-treasurer Cassia Herron, at-large member Dana Beasley Brown, immediate past chair Chapter Representatives open, Big Sandy Sarah Bowling, Central Kentucky Kimberly Shepherd, Harlan County Robby Olivam, Jefferson County Wendy Warren, Madison County Amy Copelin, Northern Kentucky Chanda Campbell, Perry County Chris Merritt, Rowan County Leslie Bebensee, Scott County Joy Fitzgerald, Shelby County Aeryn Darst, Southern Kentucky Amanda Groves, Western Kentucky Barbara Farley, Wilderness Trace Alternates: open, Big Sandy; Candice Ryder, Central Kentucky; Roy Farley, Harlan County; open, Jefferson County; Rebecca Tucker, Madison County; Lauren Gabbard, Northern Kentucky; Russell Oliver, Perry County; Allie Secor, Rowan County; Clare White, Scott County; Cynthia Dare, Shelby County; Megan Gammon, Southern Kentucky; Shaina Goodman, Western Kentucky; Margaret Gardiner, Wilderness Trace

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Table of Contents Executive Committee Corner: Bringing people together, building power ........................ 3 KFTC News Hey, will you help out on a project about KFTC? ........................................................................ 3 Reflections on Charlottesville, confronting white supremacy ......................................... 4-5 Take action to support DACA youth................................................................................................. 5 KFTC Organizing Academy will expand grassroots leadership.............................................. 7 Nikita Perumal joins KFTC staff as 14th Organizer Apprentice ............................................... 7 Laura Greenfield receives Shriver Youth Warriors Award . ................................................... 22 KFTC Calendar of Events.................................................................................................................... 23 Help build power during fall campaign ........................................................................................ 24 Economic Justice Eastern Kentuckians rally in support of health care for all . .................................................... 6 Kentuckians stop tax session, look to progressive reform ...................................................... 8 Gov. Bevin takes aim at public workers and pensions .............................................................. 9 Member Profiles and Voices Jackson brings disabilities awareness to health care debate .............................................. 10 Long-time Lawrence County and KFTC leader Ruth Colvin passes away ...................... 10 Amazing KFTC members inspire others who are watching ................................................ 22 Our tax contributions provide very real benefits ..................................................................... 22 Coal and Water A Day in the Belly of the Beast ......................................................................................................... 11 KFTC Annual Membership Meeting Photo spread ...................................................................................................................................... 12-13 Members explore art, culture & organizing at annual meeting ........................................... 14 First-ever annual meeting Zine ........................................................................................................ 15 Annual awards presented . ................................................................................................................. 16 Local Updates – Building Grassroots Power Eastern Kentucky members educate elected leaders on issues ......................................... 17 SOKY members talk up KFTC at Hot Rods’ baseball game .................................................. 17 Northern Kentucky chapter raises awareness using office ................................................... 18 Scott County chapter hosts community conversation on taxes ......................................... 19 Georgetown residents plan second ever local Pride event for October 28 ................... 19 Community Backyard Brisket ‘N Badminton in London ........................................................ 20 How our food system is designed to make us unhealthy ...................................................... 21

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

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@kentuckiansforthecommonwealth To find our photos on Flickr:

@KFTC @NKY_KFTC @ScottCoKFTC @MadCo_KFTC @EKY_KFTC

@JCKFTC @WT_KFTC @SoKyKFTC @VotingRightsKY @CanaryProject

www.flickr.com/ photos/KFTCphotos

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 3

executive committee corner

KFTC is about bringing people together, building power

By Meta Mendel-Reyes September 4, 2017 A few days after the KFTC annual meeting, I was in Frankfort to participate in a rally to ask the governor to remove the statue of Jefferson Davis from the Capitol rotunda.

As in Charlottesville, Durham and other Southern communities, many Kentuckians believe that it’s time to remove symbols of slavery and the war to defend it. At the end of the rally, attendees were invited to step forward and identify their organization. As the newly elected chair, I was proud to say that Kentuckians For The Commonwealth was in support.

Serving as KFTC chair is an honor and a responsibility. We’re in a tough place right now, facing both state and national leaders who promote policies and values that are opposed to KFTC’s vision. I’m particularly concerned about the many efforts to divide us, on the basis of race, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, region, urban/rural, and many more identities and group memberships.

As a statewide organization, KFTC is all about bringing people together from across the commonwealth.

New Power depends on our unity, which comes from our commitment to fighting for each other’s issues, whether they be the restoration of voting rights, mountaintop removal or systemic racism.

Balancing the Scales i s p u b l i s h e d by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and mailed third class from Lexington, Kentucky. Reader c o n t r i­b u t i o n s and letters to the editor should be sent to P.O. Box 864, Prestonsburg, Kentucky 41653 or jhardt@kftc.org.

Subscriptions are $20/yr.

Before I became chair I served on the Steering Committee and various statewide committees, most recently the Leadership Development Committee.

From what I’ve experienced, KFTC is in a position to be a leader in the fight to take back Kentucky.

There was lots of evidence of this at the recent annual meeting. One of the highlights for me was the launch of the Organizing Academy, which is intended to share KFTC’s approach to organizing with people from all over the state who want to acquire the skills and knowledge that we need in this difficult moment.

If you’d like to apply, there is information elsewhere in this edition of Balancing the Scales.

The annual meeting also introduced the 14 Organizer Apprentices to the membership. These folks bring ideas, experiences and enthusiasm to their new roles as organizers attached to KFTC offices around Kentucky. The apprentices will learn through the Academy as well as on the job. Be sure to say hello if there is an apprentice working with your chapter.

We also had a wonderful keynote speaker at the annual meeting, Heather McGhee from Demos, a policy advocate organization that KFTC has worked with.

Heather, who is writing a book on why racism hurts white people, shared her belief that we can only move past racism if we recognize that the road to success is not a zero-sum game. Because we have been told that the only way to move up is for someone else to move down, we have come to hate people who are different from us and seem to threaten to take what we have away.

Instead, Heather advocates for a democratic approach

in which all work together and succeed together.

That kind of attitude allows for genuine dialogue among people who see themselves not as competitors, but members of one community. I think that is a real breakthrough in terms of getting us past the differences that divide us, but I also think real equality depends on some redistribution of wealth and power. Until the wealthy give up some of their advantages, I think the rest of us will be engaged in a battle for the crumbs.

Heather also shared with us the story of a conversation she had with a caller on C-Span that went viral. The caller, who identified himself as Gary, admitted that he was prejudiced and asked “What can I do to change? To be a better American?” Heather thanked him for his honesty, because admitting prejudice is the first step toward change.

Then she gave concrete suggestions as to what he could do, from getting to know Black families to learning the history of Black people in the United States. Afterward, she visited Gary at his home in North Carolina, and they became friends. Her story made a big impression on all of us, because she modeled how to dialogue about race. You can watch the original video on YouTube: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=BsUa7eCgE_U.

Finally, as KFTC chair, I welcome the opportunity to dialogue with you about your concerns and suggestions for KFTC. You can email me at MetaMendel_Reyes@ kftc.org. As I said at the start, KFTC faces many challenges this year, but together we can build New Power and bring about the changes needed in our commonwealth.

Hey, will you help out on a project about KFTC? Hello KFTC folks, I'm writing to tell you about my project on KFTC as a democratic, grassroots social justice organization, and to ask for your help. Have you ever wondered how KFTC has been able to stay so democratic since its founding 36 years ago? I have, because it's unusual for social justice organizations, which tend to become hierarchical or top-down, often identified with a single charismatic leader. But KFTC has taken a different path, as reflected in our vision of “when the voices of ordinary people are heard and respected in our democracy.”

Many of you know that my day job (in addition to being the current KFTC Chair) is as a professor at Berea College, and I'm on sabbatical this fall. For my sabbatical project, I'm trying to answer this question, how KFTC has stayed so democratic, and here's where you come in.

I'm planning to conduct brief interviews with KFTC leaders and members who can give me different perspectives on KFTC as a democratic organization. The interview could be over email, on the phone, in-person, or a combination. There are just 4 open-ended questions, plus anything else you want to add. My hope is that this project will turn into an article on KFTC as a model for other social justice organizations.

I also would like to end up with recommendations for how KFTC could improve its internal democracy. If this interests you, please contact me by email at MetaMendel_Reyes@kftc. org for more information or to request an interview. Thanks for your help! ​ Meta Mendel-Reyes MetaMendel_Reyes@kftc.org

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

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KFTC NEWS

Reflections on Charlottesville, confronting white supremacy Across the commonwealth and nation, people are saddened, angered and moved to action by the emboldened actions of white supremacists and neoNazis, and the failure of the president and some public leaders to stand firmly against extremists motivated by racist and anti-Semitic views.

Those issues came to a head recently in Charlottesville, Virginia, when a gathering of white supremacists led to violent attacks on counterprotesters.

One young woman, Heather Heyer, was killed, and many more people were seriously injured.

The presence of racism and bigotry in the United States is not new. But the events in Charlottesville and the rise of visible organizing by hate groups across the U.S. have sparked important conversations, anti-racist organizing and actions in many communities.

In the days since Charlottesville, several KFTC members agreed to share their thoughts and reflections for this article. They represent just a small sliver of the conversations and work for racial justice that are ongoing across Kentucky.

Elizabeth Sanders, who served as KFTC’s chairperson during the past year, was among at least a dozen Kentuckians who traveled to Charlottesville to resist the white nationalists on August 12. Afterwards she reflected, “There is Elizabeth Sanders a way for everyone to be involved in this work and the fight. It won’t look the same for everyone, but it’s our duty to be a part of it.

“If you haven’t done so yet, figure that out for yourself. What is your part? Maybe you need to meet new people; maybe you can learn new skills. Some of us can put our bodies on the line. But those folks can also use support. In Charlottesville, there were people providing food, washing pepper spray from our eyes, and so much more.”

“I don’t know what else people need to see to think they have to act,” Sanders continued. “Be enraged and let this move us to action.

“We also have deep digging to do. We need to be just as enraged about Honesto Silva Ibarra, a farm worker in Washington State who died this last month, and his fellow farm workers who lost their jobs for standing up for him. We need to be just as enraged about TeeTee Dangerfield, a trans woman who was killed in Atlanta recently. All of this should enrage us. The roots are the

same.”

Lexington resident Greg Capillo also was in Charlottesville during the white supremacists’ rally. He was asked and agreed to serve as a police liaison for the Charlottesville Black Lives Matter group.

As they gathered on Friday night to prepare puppets, signs and plans for the next day, they watched the live stream video of a thousand white supremacists carrying torches through the University of Virginia campus. That crowd attacked a small group of UVA students in the center of campus and menaced a Black church where many people were holding a prayer service.

“It became clear to us at that point that the police were going to do nothing to protect folks,” Capillo observed.

Capillo, Sanders and others in Charlottesville experienced chaos and violence. They were hit by paint and tear gas, saw dozens of people get beaten and receive severe head injuries and compound bone fractures, had guns drawn on them, and were pushed by police out of the park and directly into the path of dozens of violent white supremacists.

“The police were nowhere to be found,” noted Capillo. Then he added, “Well, it seemed they were everywhere except where there was the potential for violent interactions.”

Towards the end of the day they were among many people in the street when a white supremacist drove his car directly into the crowd.

“It was really clear to me that this was an intentional act of murder, full stop,” said Capillo. “The guy waited until the street was full before driving into us.” Heather Heyer, a 32-year-old resident of Charlottesville, died from her injuries.

When asked what he wants people to understand about his experience, Capillo said, “I want people to wake up and be aware. I think there is a before and after Charlottesville moment. This is a sea change moment.

“But we all need to know that there are people in our lives every day who hold these beliefs and who create the room for this kind of movement. We’ve got to do everything we can to confront that.

“I also want to say that this effort was not led by white liberals. The opposition in Charlottesville was led

by Black Lives Matter and white anti-capitalists. I want people to know that.”

Many KFTC members and others back home also were deeply disturbed and moved to action as they witnessed what was unfolding in Charlottesville.

“The way I process stuff like this is to get very angry.

I have to direct that anger in a positive way,” Berea KFTC

member Kelly Smith said. “I knew I would go to a vigil, and I knew there was one being planned in Louisville.

But I decided to help organize one of our own here in Berea.

“I contacted my local KFTC organizer and we got to work.

I felt like a lot of the people I knew in my community would want to process this together.”

In fact, hundreds of people turned out the following night for a solidarity vigil in Berea, a town of just 13,000 people. Hundreds more took part in rallies held in Louisville, Lexington and other parts of Kentucky.

Several nights later an overflow crowd – upwards of 500 people – turned out to support the Take Back Cheapside Campaign to remove Confederate statues from the site of the second largest slave auction in the country, and to witness an unprecedented vote by the Lexington City Council to remove the statues. The following weekend, KFTC members worked with the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition to host a well-attended anti-racism workshop in Paducah.

Meta Mendel-Reyes, recently elected as KFTC chairperson, explained that she reacted to the events of Charlottesville on both a personal and political level.

“I have been working on these issues for a long time, starting in California as an organizer with the United Farm Workers. And on a personal level, my partner is African American. When I see young African Americans, men and women, killed by police, I feel that my family and community are being attacked.

“This event also struck me hard because the white nationalists are also anti-Semitic, and I am Jewish. I don’t have great uncles and aunts because they were killed in the Holocaust. When I hear the word Nazi, for me it means something very present. And when I hear that connected with the ugliest forms of white supremacy, I feel like I need to show up.”

Mendel-Reyes attended and spoke at the Berea solidarity vigil.

“One of the chants we did there was ‘We are Berea.

We are Charlottesville.’ For me, that captured the feeling that this is not something that’s happening somewhere else. I mean we had a fight about the sale of confederate continued on next page

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 5

KFTC NEWS

Reflections on Charlottesville, confronting white supremacy continued from previous page flags at the city’s public festival right here in Berea.

We won that battle, but then white-nationalists and neo-Nazis gathered in Pikeville, Kentucky, last spring.

White supremacy is not someone else’s problem. This is a problem facing all of us.”

“It is important to understand Charlottesville isn’t just an isolated incident. These are not just a few hundred people getting off on marching in Nazi clothing and shouting white nationalist slogans,” Mendel-Reyes continued. “This is a part of the tip of an iceberg. The iceberg is a racially oppressive system.

“People are oppressed in a lot of ways: economically, due to disabilities, because they are LGBT, because they are immigrants, and more. Right now we are focusing on race. And I think we need to because our country was founded on a system of slavery based on race. There are many issues intertwined. It’s all connected.”

When asked about what caused him to feel hopeful or despairing in this moment, author and KFTC member Silas House noted, “Seeing people get out there and not be quiet gives me hope. And music. Music always

helps. In every social justice movement that I’ve been part of – against mountaintop removal mining, for gay rights, and for civil rights – music is such a force.

“But what makes me feel despair is to hear the silence. If you are one of those people that are always needing your opinion heard, but are silent about this, then that is a problem.”

“This moment is a reminder that we can’t stop resisting. We can’t be quiet. Social justice work is important work. It’s the most important work when you get right down to it,” House added.

“And we have to remember that injustice is injustice.

We can’t pick and choose. Right now we can’t wait until they are coming to murder us; we have to speak up when they are murdering others. We have to speak up when the rights of others are negated, not just when ours are.”

Embedded in each of these conversations, along with so many others, is an urgent plea for all Kentuckians to show up and take action to reject racism and bigotry, denounce white supremacy, promote healing, and work for racial justice in our communities. A recent email from KFTC to our members offered some important

steps KFTC members can take:

“All of us, especially white people, need to take visible stands. From having conversations with our family and friends to rallying in the streets, we can demonstrate that white supremacy is never acceptable and hurts our commonwealth. We can support people and groups who are leading the struggle for racial justice and civil rights, especially those led by people of color, like the Take Back Cheapside Campaign in Lexington. In the words of DeBraun Thomas, one of the leaders, ‘We must do the work.’”

That email concluded, “Many KFTC members and chapters are already engaged in this work, by donating to individuals and groups in Charlottesville, organizing solidarity rallies and events, showing up to support the Take Back Cheapside Campaign, working to protect and expand voting rights, organizing community workshops and discussions, and more. To find out more ways to take action for racial justice, speak with your chapter leadership and your local KFTC organizer. Together, we can wipe discrimination out of our laws, habits, and hearts.”

Take action to support DACA youth

KFTC is guided by our vision for Kentucky, which includes our own dream of working for a day “when discrimination is wiped out of our laws, habits and hearts.” And yet we are reminded daily of the discrimination that many Kentuckians face, including new immigrants.

DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – is an Obama administration program that allows undocumented immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children to apply to stay in the country while they pursue their education or employment. Nearly 800,000 young people have been given DACA status.

And yet, in spite of overwhelming and bipartisan support for DACA and the “Dreamers,” President Trump announced his decision to end the DACA program. Thousands of Kentuckians, including KFTC members from Paducah to Pikeville, are appalled by this heartless decision and are raising our voices at rallies and vigils.

President Trump has delayed the termination of the program for six months in order to give Congress a chance to pass a law protecting DACA youth. Four laws already have been proposed: the Bridge Act, the Dream Act, the Recognizing America’s Children Act and the American Hope Act. TAKE ACTION – As KFTC members, we can make our individual and collective voices heard.

1. Call our U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and your representative (see list on next page) urging them to "pass legislation, such as the Dream Act or the American Hope Act, to protect DACA youth."

2. Support Kentucky groups working on immigrants’ rights and DACA such as the Kentucky Dream Coalition and Mijente Louisville, or national groups such as Movimiento Cosecha and United We Dream.

3. Go to vigils and direct actions in your community.

KFTC members participated in rallies and vigils in support of DACA youth throughout the state, including events in Bowling Green (above) and Berea (Berea photo

by Jeff Richey).

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www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

KFTC NEWS

Eastern Kentuckians rally in support of health care for all

Eastern Kentuckians showed their support for health care for all at a rally in Pikeville on July 29 that drew nearly 100 people.

“We’re here because we’re human beings and every human being deserves health care,” said Bev May, a Floyd County KFTC member who emceed the event. “Every life counts, and every life needs health care.”

“What kind of country will we have without a healthy population?” asked Dr. Van Breeding, who practices in Whitesburg. “This is the most important foundation to any country, to have adequate health care.”

Dr. Breeding talked of the deeper level of access to Gypsy Cantrell spoke on behalf c a r e f o r m a n y of the United Steelworkers patients, expanded Local 14581, one of the cospon- facilities and jobs, sors of the rally. She pointed and the shift to out that Republican actions to more preventive care take away health care are just under the Affordable one of many ways they have Care Act. He urged attacked working families.

working to fix problems with the current system rather than dismantling it.

“We have got to come together and create a health care system so that every American has access to quality and low-cost health care,” he said. “We’re too close to solving this problem to let it fade away now.”

State representatives Angie Hatton and Chris Harris also cited the economic benefits, especially for the fifth congressional district that covers much of eastern Kentucky. That district, represented by Hal Rogers, has benefited as much or more than any district in the United States in terms of the number of uninsured people who gained health care and new jobs. Yet Rogers voted in the U.S. House to take away all those gains.

A strong and inspiring poem was read by Mikaela Curry. Randy Wilson and Kelli and Scott Robinson provided music throughout the program.

Kasie Wallace and Caci Gibson told personal stories about how access to health care made all the difference in the quality of their lives. They called for elected officials who would better represent their constituents.

“What does it say about us as a nation and humankind if we ignore the most vulnerable?” asked Charly Sholty.

Cara Stewart of the Kentucky Equal Justice Center reminded the crowd of Gov. Bevin’s plan to take away health care services from 95,000 Kentuckians through proposed changes in the Medicaid program.

Dr. Garrett Adams acknowledged that the Affordable Care Act “did a good job … but we can go forward to a single payer plan.”

The rally was concluded with minister Rob Musick citing the spiritual foundation of caring for one another.

“This is a fundamental moral issue … that people are made in the image of God and they deserve [health care].”

The eastern Kentucky rally was just one of many actions that KFTC members have taken this year in Rally attendees signed large letters to Rep. Hal Rogers and Gov. Matt Bevin telling support of health care them to support the people they represent and stop their efforts to take away health for all people. care for thousands of people.

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

– – – – – –

Washington Bowling Green Lexington Louisville Owensboro Hopkinsville

U.S. House Members Rep. James Comer, 1st District (202) 225-3115 Rep. Brett Guthrie, 2nd District (202) 225-3501 Rep. John Yarmuth, 3rd District (202) 225-5401 Rep. Thomas Massie, 4th District (202) 225-3465 Rep. Hal Rogers, 5th District (202) 225-4601 Rep. Andy Barr, 6th District (202) 225-4706

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 7

KFTC News

KFTC Organizing Academy will expand grassroots leadership KFTC has launched a new Organizing Academy that represents a growing commitment to building progressive power through expanding and deepening grassroots leadership and movements in Kentucky.

The Academy increases KFTC's capacity for developing new grassroots leaders with more popular education-oriented training to help emerging leaders develop their information, skills, relationships and confidence.

The Academy complements KFTC’s Community Organizer Apprentice Program (a 19-month, on-the-job training program) that began in June.

“To build power over the long term – the kind of power that governments will have to respond to – you need to do organizing,” said KFTC Chairperson Meta Mendel-Reyes.

“Now is a time when people at the grassroots need to recover their voices, and organizing is one way to do

that,” Mendel-Reyes added. or grassroots organization.

“The Academy is clearly

Applications for the Academy Apply online or download developed in response to are being accepted through an application at the historical moment that October 13, with the initial we're in, but I think it has cohort named by December 1. www.kftc.org/ the potential for incredible Mendel-Reyes said while kftc-organizing-academy staying power.” activism such as the Women's The Academy will March and protests against state include an initial cohort of about 20 participants who and federal policies grab the headlines, sustaining (along with KFTC leaders, staff and allies) will engage momentum is the key to building progressive grassroots in a six-month training program beginning in January power.

2018 and concluding in June 2018.

KFTC is committed to training more Kentuckians

As members of the pilot cohort, participants will be on how to be leaders in nonviolent activism with the asked to help KFTC evaluate the Organizing Academy ultimate goal of growing the grassroots movements in and shape future programs. KFTC is looking for people the state. who believe in organizing as a primary strategy, are “Organizing – inclusive of all voices – is simply committed to the future of KFTC and look to apply about helping people learn about and undertake the skills learned in their community, KFTC chapter collective action," Mendel-Reyes said.

What commitment will be asked of the Organizing Academy cohort?

What are some of the things I will learn with the Academy?

√ √ √ √

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Six once-a-month Saturday trainings starting in January 2018 Film and reading assignments Monthly video conference calls Investment in the Organizing Academy success For more information, contact Beth Howard at BethHoward@kftc.org or 859-276-0563

AS a kftc member …

•

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

•

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

•

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

•

You get fellowship and fun with others who

Why organizing?

Building grassroots power Nonviolent direct action Inclusive organizing Self-care for organizers (why it matters) Base building and leadership development Power analysis and strategy Campaigns and campaign planning

Nikita Perumal joins KFTC staff as 14th Organizer Apprentice Nikita Perumal has joined the KFTC staff as an Organizer Apprentice.

Perumal grew up in Louisville and is a 2016 graduate of the dual BA program between Columbia University and Sciences Po, where she received degrees in Human Rights and Political Science. After five years away, Nikita has returned to Kentucky to work on the issues she feels most passionate about, in the place she calls home, with the organization that first sparked her interest in activism.

In the past, Nikita has participated in the Humanity in Action John Lewis Fellowship for civil and human rights, organized with Columbia Divest for Climate Justice, and served as a summer organizer with the Responsible Endowments Coalition. Most recently, she completed a Fulbright research grant in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, where she studied community participation in responses to climate change.

She will work with the eastern Kentucky staff and initially be based in the Lexington office.

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

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Economic Justice

Kentuckians stop tax session, look to progressive reform KFTC has been working on tax and economic justice since its founding. This year members launched the Campaign For Our CommonWealth to continue KFTC’s commitment to advocating for fair, equitable and sustainable tax reform and against proposed tax shifts that would benefit the few at the expense of the many.

Members formed regional tax justice teams across the state and have been working to stop a special legislative session on taxes planned by Gov. Matt Bevin and force these issues into the 2018 General Assembly. By forcing these issues into a budget and election year, the strategy is to allow for more constituent engagement and encourage legislators to be less likely to do anything extreme.

These tax justice teams have been targeting key legislators with a “ring of fire” strategy to put pressure on them on multiple sides from constituents, local organizations, local media outlets and local elected officials to ensure that the governor doesn’t have the votes he needs to pass a bad bill (as he has proposed), therefore preventing a special session from ever happening.

Each team has been using a combination of grassroots tactics and mobilization techniques that include deep canvassing, community conversations, workshops and trainings, lobby meetings with local elected and state officials, and media stories. About 250 KFTC members have gotten involved in this campaign to date, with more joining regional tax justice teams every week.

It has paid off. On August 9 Bevin announced he

would delay a special session on taxes. The efforts of members stopped the immediate threat of devastating tax legislation and formed the foundation of a strong and resilient grassroots network to advance economic justice in Kentucky.

That network will be needed as the work moves into the next phase. While a special session on taxes has been stopped for now, Bevin still plans on calling a special session on pensions. The governor says he wants to have a session on pensions by October and is recommending slashing benefits for public employees and retirees.

House Speaker Jeff Hoover thinks November is a more likely time for a special session, giving the Legislative Research Commission a month to draft a bill and another month for his members to look it over. Whatever the date, members are working with public employee groups to defend Kentucky’s public pension recipients.

Tax justice teams plan on continuing the ring of fire strategy to build support for progressive and comprehensive tax reform leading up to the 2018 General Assembly, which starts in early January.

The plan is to focus a lot of messaging on pensions leading up to November, showing that progressive tax reform is the real solution to Kentucky’s pension crises.

Members will continue to work with the Kentucky Together Coalition on tax reform and the Kentucky Public Pension Coalition around pension reform.

The hope is to defend against the dismantling of

KFTC wants your story about public pensions Governor Matt Bevin is calling for dramatic changes to Kentucky's public pensions system.

Yet he has not held any public hearings on the matter and has not created spaces for public employees to tell him their stories or solutions. So KFTC is going to bring the stories to him and the legislators who will be voting on any public pension legislation.

Over the next two months, KFTC will be collecting the stories of members who are state employees (whether current or retired) or who have a direct family member who receive a state pension. We will be recording these stories and lifting them up on both social media and traditional media. There is no story we do not want to collect, since each of your stories is important and needs to be told.

Please reach out to Tyler Offerman to set up a recording session – 859-276-0563 or Tyler@kftc.org.

Kentucky’s public pension system and tax code in a way that advances KFTC’s messaging and vision through 2017, defeat any special session that is called and build momentum going into the 2018 General Assembly.

This ties in well with KFTC’s Voter Engagement strategy for 2018, with members holding legislators accountable for their votes during the General Assembly.

Learn More Tax Justice Webinar Series KFTC is partnering with the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy to host a webinar series to inform Kentuckians on important issues surrounding Kentucky's economy, how state revenue is generated and how our taxes are spent. Please join us and learn about the issues.

The next webinar will focus on the Kentucky Forward Plan: Tax reform Kentuckians deserve. This is the progressive tax reform plan supported

by KFTC, KCEP, the Kentucky Together coalition and many others.

Thursday, September 21 7 p.m. EDT Register at

http://bit.ly/2xXdTV2 Future webinars October – Kentucky's Public Pension Crisis: How did we get here and how do we solve it? (date TBA) November – Local Taxes: How do we ensure local budgets are protected? (date TBA) January – The State Budget Edition: What can we expect from the 2018 General Assembly? (date TBA)

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 9

Economic Justice

Gov. Bevin takes aim at public workers and pensions

Public pensions were once considered a cornerstone It is with this knowledge that KFTC members have of U.S. society, of our social contract. Along with a been concerned to watch as Kentucky’s public pension minimum wage, social safety nets and the 8-hour work system has recently come closer to collapsing. Kentucky day, pensions were one of those hard-fought victories of has the most underfunded public pension system in the the labor rights movement that ensured workers would nation, to the tune of about $40 billion. be provided for after they had invested their time and Kentucky’s pensions are underfunded now because labor to a job.

Kentucky legislators have underfunded them for years.

Workers are not simply given these benefits, they KFTC members have been advocating for a solution to earned them, and often in exchange for a smaller paycheck. the state’s revenue crisis for decades through tax reform Just as residents pays taxes to help fund that ensures the wealthy pay their fair investments in their communities, so too share of taxes. did workers pay into pensions so they With additional revenue, the legislature would be able support their families into could make the necessary investments their retirement years. into critical public programs and services Rosanne Klarer, a member in Scott that have been neglected for years. This County, knows how difficult it is to includes public pensions. dedicate your life to a job for 27 years Instead, Governor Bevin wants to and earn a pension. dismantle Kentucky’s public pension “Teaching is hard work that takes system rather than invest in it. dedication. I overcame many challenges “Governor Bevin has some gall to Scott County member to be a teacher of students with special propose major cuts to public teachers and Rosanne Klarer needs in Kentucky and I’m very proud other government workers guaranteed of what I did,” Klarer reflected. “I did everything I was retirement benefits, on top of retirees paying more supposed to. I worked hard, saved and contributed to my each year toward their premiums and out of pocket community. I am now retired and living off the pension medical expenses,” said Klarer after she found out about I earned.” the governor’s plan. “The state has an inviolable fiscal And not only do pensions support workers and responsibility to cover contract employees! their families – they also help support all Kentuckians. “We paid into these retirement systems and not into Pension dollars flow back to Kentucky’s local economies social security. This is what we have to survive on.” at a staggering rate.

She added that she will “refuse to sit by and allow According to the Kentucky Center for Economic this governor to sacrifice our public education and our Policy, in 2016 public retirees of the Kentucky Employees’ social safety net to curry favor with wealthy oligarchs Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, that fund political campaigns.”

County Employees Retirement System and Kentucky On August 28, the PFM Group, an out-ofTeachers’ Retirement System received pensions totaling state consultant hired by the Bevin administration, $3.4 billion. recommended freezing and cutting retiree benefits, That’s the economic equivalent of an entire industry. “clawing back” cost of living increases, raising the age For comparison, the accommodations and food services employees can retire with full pensions to 65 and moving industry in Kentucky generated $4.5 billion in earnings many local and state government workers into less secure in 2015, while the construction industry generated $7 401(k)-style plans. billion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

“Of all people, we understand that the system must Those pension checks are an important part of be fixed,” said Jeanie Smith, a 4th grade teacher in Warren the economy in every Kentucky county. More than 94 County. “But we also know that those in the top tax percent of Kentucky Retirement Systems (KRS) retirees bracket are currently paying a smaller percentage of taxes live in Kentucky, and 89 percent of retired teachers. than we are. Let them pay their fair share, increasing When retirees spend their checks at hardware stores, revenue. Eliminate tax loopholes and start taxing luxury restaurants and other local businesses, it results in an services. And switching to a 401(k) only gives profits to economic ripple effect that creates jobs. As the KRS corporations rather than aiding the pension system.” reports, each $1.00 of benefits supports about $1.43 of Employees have always paid their share to the pension total economic activity. systems. Employees pay about every 75 cents of a dollar

in their pensions, with the state being responsible for the remaining 25 cents. The pension systems are underfunded because the state, as the employer, didn’t pay its share for years, not because pensions are too generous.

The governor wants Kentuckians to think that public pensions are too generous and that the choice is either cut pensions or raise taxes on groceries and prescriptions.

The governor is trying to pit private sector workers against public sector workers so that he can justify big cuts to public budgets and then give big tax breaks to corporations and the rich.

“They won't even talk about asking the rich to pitch in to solve the pension problem,” said Tyler Birdwhistell, a member from Hardin County. “They are only looking to take away from the working and middle classes.

“There is a saying that budgets are moral documents,” Birdwhistell added. “Come October [or November], these people in Frankfort are going to show who they really are and who they really care about.”

Actions to Take Allies are planning a number of town halls with local elected officials and other actions leading up to the special session, and KFTC members have been asked to support these efforts in these ways: 1. Show up to town halls and raise the need to raise revenue through comprehensive tax reform and NOT through cutting benefits for public workers.

2. Write letters to the editor, op-eds and social media posts in support of public workers. Make sure to use the messaging that workers earned these benefits and that the pension system is not broken and only needs legislators to fund it as they are obligated to.

3. Tie public pensions into KFTC’s ongoing Campaign For Our CommonWealth and demand we pass comprehensive and progressive tax reform in Kentucky, starting with the Kentucky Forward Plan.

4. Show up to local rallies and protests in solidarity with state workers and be prepared to show up in Frankfort before and during a special legislative session, if necessary.

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

10 | Balancing the Scales

We are Kentuckians

Tina Jackson, Big Sandy Chapter

Jackson brings disabilities awareness to health care debate

Tina Jackson was born in Ashland, Kentucky, but has lived most of her life in Louisa (Lawrence County), where she currently lives. She is a disability advocate, working to educate her community about inclusion and welcoming people with disabilities. She is a former member of the State Commonwealth Council of Developmentally Disabled, and she currently serves on the state advisory board for the Kentucky Assistive Technology Network.

Tina’s work includes teaching sign language, helping persons with disabilities connect and make use of appropriate resources, and lobbying for better

Tina and Mark Jackson

health care.

“I have been an activist since my twenties, starting with women's equality, civil rights, gay rights, disability awareness and inclusion. I grew up taught by my father and mother to advocate for the rights of others and to grow this county in the best interest of all,” she said.

Tina’s first interaction with KFTC was through the 25-hour People’s Emergency Health Care Hearing, where she shared her health care story for the #HearOurHealth campaign. When asked what motivated her to share her story, she said, “I was looking for a way to be active in protesting the [proposed Congressional] health care bill and saw the event on Facebook. I listened to the call and noticed most people who shared their stories were not disabled, so I wanted to add that population to the conversation of who would be hurt by Medicaid changes.”

After KFTC Organizer Apprentices reached out to her about her story, Tina was invited to the Somerset Medicaid Waiver Hearing, where she was able to share her testimony in person and participate in the livestream debrief hosted by KFTC. Advocating for issues she is passionate about is not something new to Tina. “I have been an activist for a very long time. In my youth I made trips to DC to advocate for equal rights for all. I wanted to add my voice along with other Kentuckians to tell Governor Bevin that his proposed changes to Medicaid were unfair and hurtful to many people.”

While continuing her work around health care

Tina Jackson teaching a sign language class

reform at the state and federal levels, Tina is currently working on hosting a tax justice training in Louisa.

Asked about the connection between her work on issues around health care and tax justice, Tina said, “As with health care changes, the lower income and elderly or disabled would be most hurt. Again, I want to add my voice to the conversation because it is with one united voice that we will be heard. Together we are stronger.”

Long-time Lawrence County and KFTC leader Ruth Colvin passes away When Ruth Colvin and Patty Wallace fought to keep hazardous waste out of their community in the 1980s, Audubon magazine dubbed them “Housewives from Hell.”

Colvin, a longtime KFTC member, died August 8 at the age of 84.

Colvin and Wallace, who passed away in 2016, started organizing when a company called Pyrochem wanted to build a hazardous waste incinerator in Lawrence County. Working with other KFTC members, they helped pass a Hazardous Waste Local Control Bill in the Kentucky General Assembly in 1988.

“It was quite a pleasure to go in Governor Wilkinson’s office – all of us, Jefferson Countians, Lawrence Countians, and our friends from other chapters,” Colvin recalled years later. “We got that bill signed, and it’s legal today. It’s there for every county

in Kentucky to be able to turn away a hazardous waste incinerator if they do not want it.

“I rejoiced all the way home. I thought, ‘What have we done? We have made a bill for the state of Kentucky.’ It really hit me the next day. I thought, ‘I can’t believe me, a little old housewife from eastern Kentucky. I’ve been working down here for four years, lobbying. My children think I’m nuts. I’m on the road all the time. I have a good husband that understands.

But I have worked in the Kentucky legislature, I have worked lobbying, and I have helped get a bill passed.’

It was the most gratifying moment that I have had in years.”

Colvin and Wallace attracted national media

attention when they fought asbestos disposal at Roe Creek. When the local sheriff suggested they not enter Roe Creek without a gun, Colvin got deputized and started carrying one.

In addition to Audubon, the television show Expose featured them in a program about the influence of organized crime in the garbage business. Dr. Richard Leakey’s Earth Journal television program and AARP’s Modern Maturity magazine also told their story.

According to an obituary in The Levisa Lazer, Colvin had also served as chair of the Lawrence County Democratic Party and on the Louisa Housing Board and Louisa Area Fire and Rescue Board. She was a Kentucky Colonel.

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Coal and Water

A Day in the Belly of the Beast President Trump has stopped a federal study looking at the relationship between strip mining and human health. Despite that, a planned hearing took place in Hazard on August 21 and in Lexington on August 22. Jeff Chapman-Crane read the following that he and Sharman, his wife, had written together.

By Jeff and Sharman Chapman-Crane

6:45

a.m. You wake up. The first sounds you hear are the machines… the dozers, the end loaders, the massive dump trucks … Black Mountain being ravaged … The first shift change at the mine begins.

You take your asthma medicine, maybe your inhaler if the stress triggers an attack. You wake your son, who gets up coughing from the dust, or the smell of the water, or who knows what. You try not to think about long-term consequences.

You dress, start your routine … breakfast, vitamins, exercise. You wash the dishes, then brush your teeth, trying not to think about why the water is so cloudy and smells so bad.

You sit down to plan the day … a trip to town, work in the studio, mowing the grass. A college group to tour the gallery later.

You’re startled by the first explosion, which you feel before you hear it. The house shakes, the windows rattle … then the roar of the explosives and the cloud of dust. You remember the four-year old in Virginia, killed by a boulder crashing through his bedroom, or the people injured in Hazard when fly rock came through the roof of the Walmart. You try not to think about it.

You work in the studio, and later you and your son begin the mowing. This time you hear the explosion before you feel it. You run toward the house as the valley fills with dust. Your eyes sting and your mouth and nose fill with grit. You make it inside, close all the doors and windows. You’re scared and angry, you want to file some kind of complaint. Then you remember the government official telling victims of a sludge spill, “Don’t worry, there’s nothing in the sludge that’s not on the periodic table of elements.” Or the elected representative saying to you, “Might as well let them get all the coal they can, they’re just going to build a big dam and flood all of eastern Kentucky anyway.” Deaf ears … You wait for the dust to settle. The second shift change begins.

Y

ou start to town, passing your best friend’s house, and try not to think of how strained that friendship has become. You start across Pine Mountain, dreading the encounter with trucks loaded with 200,000 pounds of coal, and you hope

Balancing the Scales | 11

the driver is not high on oxycontin, or driving too fast, or both. By grace you arrive safely and stop at the courthouse to get car tags. “Would you like a Friends of Coal tag, or maybe a Friends of Coal teeshirt?” No thanks.

Next stop, the bank, where the tellers all wear Coal Mining Our Future teeshirts. You muse for a moment about the unintended irony but keep it to yourself. As you head to Food City you read the sticker on the truck in front of you… “Save a Nation, Kill a President.” In the parking lot a dozen cars with Friends of Coal, Coal Keeps the Lights On, Coal Mining Our Future tags and stickers … then the pick-up with the fully equipped gun rack, and you hope the owner is not crazy enough to enact the message on his bumper: “Save a Coal Miner, Shoot a Tree Hugger.”

You cook supper, eat, take a bath, trying not to think about the water. You go to the gallery. Dave Cooper brings a group of 20 students from Ohio and Harvard. You give a tour and tell your story. The students are inspired and think you’re courageous and heroic, but you know better. You do what you can. It’s not enough.

On the way back to the house you glance up at the devastation on Black Mountain, confronted once again with your failures … as if you could forget them. You settle in for the evening, a good book or maybe a video, nothing too serious, because you’re up to your neck in serious.

T

he night descends. You brush your teeth, trying not to think about why the water is so cloudy and smells so bad. You get into bed. The third shift change begins, miners working the only jobs available, putting their lives on the line to provide for their families. Told by the bosses that the “tree huggers” want to put them out of work and don’t care if their children starve. Miners going to and from work, one way in, one way out. They know who you are, they know where you stand, they know where you live. You try not to think about it. But you do. You think about those miners … desperate, misinformed, scared, angry. You think about the threats, veiled or explicit, real or perceived, about the poisoned water and the contaminated air, your family’s health.

You think about friends … estranged, injured, sick or dead. You think about Black Mountain, the highest in Kentucky, its beauty and vibrancy lost forever.

Forever.

W

hen the traffic diminishes a quietness settles over the valley. You begin to drift to sleep, and the last sounds you hear are the machines … the dozers, the end loaders, the massive dump trucks.

Jeff read this statement at the August 21 hearing in Hazard with the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. In 2016, Jeff and Sharman received KFTC’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

12 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC Annual Meeting

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Sharing Our Stories in Art, Culture and Organizing More than 250 KFTC members and friends gathered for the annual meeting August 25-27 at General Butler State Park in Carrollton.

In workshops and conversations, we explored how our identities as Kentuckians inform our organizing and can be part of making social change possible. And we had lots of fun!

Vicki Lauderdale (Pulaski County) and Serena Owen (Northern Kentucky)

Laura Greenfeild (Central Kentucky) and Robby Olivam (Jefferson County) led the Friday night cultural activity.

Jeanie and Alan Smith (Southern Kentucky) interviewed one another at the KFTC Story Booth.

Matthew Frederick (Madison County) shared his ideas about Kentucky culture.

Connor Allen and Cassia Herron celebrated the Jefferson County Chapter winning the Evelyn Williams Award.

Rebecca Tucker (Madison County) contributed to the collaborative art-build banners.

Members from across the state celebrated KFTC’s 36th birthday earlier in the month at the Friday night after party.

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 13

“A room that looks like this, that is a multi-racial room that represents the diversity of Kentucky, has to be at the forefront of saying we all do better when we all do better.” – Heather McGhee

“That’s what cultural organizing is – connecting through our culture, finding our similarities, talking about our problems and working together.” Judi Jennings, Saturday plenary.

During the panel discussion, Mizari Suarez and Milton Meza spoke about cultural similarities found in Appalachian and Latino communities.

Members connected through a “string exercise” in the Resisting White Supremacy workshop.

Desman Davis led a discussion in the Nonviolent Direct Ac- Members practiced standing up to bigotry in the Upstander / tion workshop.

Bystander 101 workshop.

During the business meeting on Sunday morning, members discussed the KFTC Platform and elected new executive committee members.

Keynote speaker Heather McGhee explored the idea of a ‘zero-sum competition’– the false notion that what is good for one social group is necessarily bad for another.

Members enjoyed an afternoon hike led by Outdoor Afro.

14 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

KFTC Annual Meeting

Members explore art, culture & organizing at annual meeting About 250 members enjoyed KFTC’s Annual “I have this conviction that we Membership Meeting the last weekend in August, have been sold a bill of goods in this During the annual business meeting, members exploring the theme of arts and culture in organizing. country. That we have as part of our discussed and adopted a 2017-18 Platform for “We can work together through our culture,” said story a paradigm, a mental model Judi Jennings, who introduced the theme during the through which we filter so many KFTC. You can read it at www.kftc.org/platform.

Saturday morning plenary. “As Kentuckians, we can conversations about who we are and connect through our culture. Because that’s what we who belongs and who’s in and who’s have in common: we’re all Kentuckians. out and who deserves what. Which is this idea of a zero- McGhee explored the idea that “there has been

“That’s what cultural organizing is – it’s connecting sum competition between groups of people, that what is a political strategy since the civil rights movement to through our culture, finding our good for one group is necessarily bad degrade the very idea of ‘the public’ – the public that is similarities, talking about our problems for the other. That there is a pie that an integrated public shall be no public at all. That is our and working together. we’re all trying to make sure that our story today, that we can’t have a bigger pie, that progress “Cultural organizing is a way. It’s group gets a bigger piece of it, and if for some comes at the expense of others. a way of being, it’s a way of doing your we get a bigger piece the other groups “Why is it that anti-government sentiment has become so much a gospel of the white story about organizing, it’s a way of talking to people will get a smaller one. and listening to people and finding out

“I’ve been really trying to think America? That zero-sum mentality that wants to be about the person before you try to change about how it is that those of us that suspicious of anything that brings us all together in their mind about the issue,” Jennings want to see a better, more just, more one place for fear that progress for some will mean continued. “Find out why they think inclusive and equitable America can that it comes at the expense of others is the core story what they think … find out what they possibly get to that promised land in American culture that I think we have to attack and believe, what you have in common. Have if we keep believing and letting our uproot.

Heather McGhee that conversation.” country’s story be that it’s all a zero- “A room that looks like this, that is a multi-racial

Jennings pointed out that “our culture is used against sum game – one group wins at the expense of another. room that represents the diversity of Kentucky, has to us in vicious stereotypes about our people.” She also “That idea of a zero-sum competition is at the core be at the forefront of saying we all do better when we reminded us that “our culture can give us hope. Culture of the story Donald Trump tells about America. When all do better.”

Members had opportunities to reflect on and discuss can bring us together.” he says make America great again, he is saying make Keynote speaker Heather McGhee followed the America great again for my group. And the reason why McGhee’s insights throughout the rest of the weekend. cultural organizing discussion and helped explain why America isn’t great is because the other groups have risen Also offered were 10 skill and issue workshops, facilitated lunch table discussions, time for cultural sharing, an people, especially white people, think the way they do. and taken some of what we deserve.

Her general theme (and the subject of a forthcoming “This idea of a zero-sum competition – that progress annual awards banquet (recipients listed on page 16), book) was that racism is bad for white people, too. for people of color necessarily means regress for white an afternoon hike led by Outdoor Afro, and after-parties people, a loss for white people, that progress for women with music and socializing. comes at the expense of men, that progress for LGBTQ During the business meeting on Sunday morning, people comes at the expense of heteronormative families members elected new executive committee members: – that is just at the core of common sense in the story Meta Mendel-Reyes (Madison County) as chairperson, we tell ourselves in America. And it is certainly at the Randy Wilson (Knott County) as vice-chairperson, core of the right-wing story about what’s going on right Christian Torp (Fayette County) as secretary-treasurer, and Cassia Herron (Jefferson County) as the at-large now.

“And yet, these stories that we tell ourselves are very representative. They are joined by Dana Beasley as the immediate past chair. powerful and it is hard to avoid them.”

Everyone is encouraged to listen to Heather McGhee’s complete speech. You can do so at: https://vimeo.com/231922658

Like our new KFTC T-shirt?

You can get one for free when you become a Sustaining Giver! See the form on the back cover.

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 15

KFTC Annual Meeting During the annual meeting members created and contributed to the first-ever Annual Meeting Zine. We’re sharing a couple of pages

below, but you can view the entire Zine at https://issuu. com/kftc/docs/online, or download and print a copy at: www.kftc.org/AM2017-Zine

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

16 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC 2017 Annual Awards At each annual meeting, KFTC recognizes the remarkable work and commitment to KFTC and social justice shown by some outstanding individuals and groups. Here are this year’s award winners.

The Gladys Maynard Start of Something Big Award

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

2017 Recipient

Ally of the Year WKU Student Coalition for Renters’ Rights

The Daniel Thompson Bridge Builder Award Presented to the member who diligently and faithfully worked to bring together diverse groups of people within KFTC. 2017 Recipient

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

2017 Recipient

The Wilderness Trace Chapter

Presented to the KFTC member who has committed his or her life in the service of others by working for social justice.

The Alice O. Martin Award

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

The Western Kentucky

The Hazel King Lifetime Achievement Award

2017 Recipient

Stanley Sturgill

2017 Recipient

Matthew Gidcomb

The Joyce Wise Award

The Joe Begley and Everett Akers Award Presented to the member who is jailed, loses a job, or faces some other major adversity because of their work for social justice.

2017 Recipient

Wendy Warren Special Friend Awards Kentucky Solar Energy Society • Josh Bills at the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development • Pat Knight at Synapse Energy Economics • Laura Greenfield • Kertis Creative

2017 Recipients

Osvaldo Flores Gary Bentley

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

Osvaldo Flores

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

2017 Recipients

The Jefferson County Chapter and Take Back Cheapside

Funder of the Year WE ACT – West Harlem Environmental Action Membership Recruitment Award Jefferson County Chapter Southern Kentucky Chapter Grassroots Fundraising Award Jefferson County Chapter

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 17

Building Grassroots Power

Eastern Kentucky members educate elected leaders on issues Members in eastern Kentucky were busy in July and August meeting with Rep. Chris Harris and Rep. Toby Herald while legislators are home from Frankfort during the summer.

In-district meetings are a great way for folks who aren’t able to travel to Frankfort during the General Assembly to engage with elected officials. These meetings also pave the way for members to build stronger relationships with their elected officials and to educate them about important KFTC issues.

In late July, members of the Big Sandy chapter worked with local representatives from the Kentucky Education Association to organize a joint meeting with Rep. Harris, who represents Martin County and portions of Pike County.

Beverly May, Rep. Chris Harris, Becky Skaggs (KEA), and Sherry Castle

With the potential of a special session on tax reform and pensions looming at that time, members spoke with Harris about what Governor Matt Bevin's proposed changes could mean for their families and communities.

Becky Skaggs, the KEA Uniserv Director in the region, was grateful for the opportunity to explain the teachers’ defined benefit pension plan versus the governor’s proposed defined contribution plan.

“I think if more of our legislators met with their constituents to listen to our concerns and to gain a greater understanding of how the legislation that is proposed affects us, we’d be in a better position than we are right now,” Skaggs said.

Beverly May, a Big Sandy chapter member from Floyd County and a registered nurse, spoke about her experiences and the importance of access to quality, affordable health care for folks in the region.

“It is vital to have conversations with our elected leaders right now. They need to know where we stand on a range of issues, and we need to inform their decision making,” May said. “And it’s good to be reminded that even on the darkest days, just and reasonable folks will always have allies.”

Members in Breathitt County met in early August with Rep. Toby Herald, who represents Breathitt, Estill, Lee and Owsley counties and part of Madison County, to discuss tax justice and build a relationship with him.

Virginia Meagher and Bess Douthitt educated

Breathitt County members Virginia Meagher and Bess Douthitt with Rep. Toby Herald

Herald on our current tax structure, the potential proposed tax structure, and put the Kentucky Forward Plan on his radar. They also created a very intentional space for Herald to voice his concerns about Kentucky’s tax structure and got a better sense of the issues that he cares about.

In the end, it was clear that Herald was not on the same page with members, but rich conversation was still had and a strong relationship between constituents and an elected leader was built.

“I enjoyed getting to know Rep. Herald more. Now he seems like a three-dimensional person instead of a picture in a poster,” Meagher reflected afterwards. “I understand much more about where he is coming from, what we agree on, and how to argue more effectively on those issues on which we disagree.”

SOKY members talk up KFTC at Hot Rods baseball game The Southern Kentucky KFTC Chapter hosted a grassroots fundraiser at the Bowling Green ballpark in early August, raising funds, talking to new folks about the work and having fun. Besides watching the Hot Rods game, members tabled and passed out KFTC stickers, did interviews about KFTC’s work, and even threw out the first pitch!

Right, Megan Gammon gives an on-field interview about KFTC at the baseball game fundraiser.

Left, Kate McElroy and Aeryn Darst tabled at the Hot Rods game.

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

18 | Balancing the Scales

Building Grassroots Power

Northern Kentucky chapter raises awareness using office This summer the Northern Kentucky chapter utilized the bookstore below the KFTC office in Covington for fundraising and informative events.

Partnering with ally organizations, they held a series of successful events to build on the energy from earlier in the year.

In July chapter members sponsored a “Resistance Cookout” that included a potluck, information on the ongoing work of KFTC members and a panel discussion.

The panel included Indivisible Northern Kentucky District 4, Greater Cincinnati Socialist Alternative, Northern Kentucky Justice and Peace Committee, Northern Kentucky Fairness and KFTC. Discussion of issues, strategy and more helped people learn what organizations were doing and what good next steps would be. The event was moderated by member Michelle Slaughter.

In August the chapter partnered with the Creative Writing and Vision program from Thomas More College and the Community and Restorative Justice initiative for Covington to bring the chapter’s second annual Save The Rent fundraiser. Sherry Stanforth, Julia Allegrini and Pam Mullins from these organizations joined KFTC members Gloria San Miguel, Christy Walker and Jade Young in discussing the work around a variety of issues through speeches, music and poetry.

The diverse set of guests at each event illustrated that the strength of the local chapter comes from connections to others working in the community, and the ability to take action on a broad range of issues. From tax reform to health care, clean energy, criminal justice reform, and racial justice, understanding and embracing the intersectionality of justice issues allows all to do and achieve more.

Northern Kentucky members (above) Clare Hackman, Amy Copelin, Jade Young, Matt Collier and Terrell Copelin at Roebling Point Books & Coffee relax after the Resistance Cookout. Right: Gloria San Miguel plays for attendees at the second annual Save The Rent Party. Below right: Pam Mullins speaks about the progress and process that Community and Restorative Justice – Covington has seen in targeted neighborhoods in Covington.

Follow the Northern Kentucky chapter's ongoing work on social media – Instagram at northernky_KFTC, Twitter: @NKY_KFTC, Facebook.com/nky.kftc.

Social justice radio shows produced by KFTC Central Kentucky chapter members Recent shows: Our Lives are on the Line The Health of our Commonwealth On The Table • To Be Fair

Thanks

Listen to the recordings at: soundcloud.com/ user-611665944

for being a member or supporter of KFTC. You make the work you read about in Balancing the Scales possible – now 36 years of it!

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 19

Building Grassroots Power

Scott County chapter hosts community conversation on taxes The Scott County chapter hosted a community conversation around tax reform, allowing for members and others to discuss what they envision for Georgetown and Kentucky, and the role of state government in helping to bring that about.

With the backdrop of an upcoming possible special legislative session, concerns around pensions

Lauren Gabbard and Amelia Cloud get to know each other during an ice breaker at the event.

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

for public workers and the budget shortfall facing the Kentucky General Assembly, attendees felt it important to talk about these critical issues in a new way.

The conversation was facilitated by several KFTC leaders and allies. Byron Moran of the Georgetown-Scott County NAACP, northern Kentucky KFTC member Lauren Gabbard, and local leaders Amy Farrar, Sharon Roggenkamp and others focused on the challenges that Scott Conversation table with KFTC member Lauren Gabbard (forefront), County and the commonwealth Georgetown City Councilperson Millie Butcher Conway, KFTC member face going forward.

Homer White, and Scott County NAACP President Byron Moran Folks in attendance left committed to take action to protect the promises and to follow the news coming out of state government.

Kentucky has made to public workers, and to fight for The event had more than 20 people come out, a more fair and just tax structure. Attendees planned including Georgetown City Councilwoman Millie to write letters to the editor, talk with elected officials, Butcher Conway and State Senator Reggie Thomas of discuss the importance of just tax reform in Kentucky Lexington.

Georgetown residents plan second local Pride event for October 28

Everyday ways to support KFTC! Kroger Community Rewards We are organization #10888 (Kentucky Coalition) Krogercommunityrewards.com Kroger donates a percentage of your purchases

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

At last year’s first-ever Pride event in Georgetown, KFTC member and Georgetown native Danny Woolums shared what a fairness ordinance in his hometown would mean to him.

Scott County members and allies have continued the push for a fairness ordinance in Georgetown, and hope to build upon the success of the campaign over the past year.

With Coming Out Day taking place on October 11, many groups working to pass local fairness ordinances are holding fall picnics to raise community awareness around this issue.

Georgetown Fairness will be holding its second Georgetown Pride picnic on October 28.

Last year, more than 300 people came out, and this year planners expect another great turnout.

There will a variety of local speakers to talk about the need to pass a local non-discrimination ordinance to protect members of the LGBTQ community from discrimination.

The Scott County chapter invites all KFTC members to join them from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 601 E. Main Street in Georgetown (at the home of Harold Dean Jessie and Steven Wiglesworth) to celebrate the work of Georgetown Fairness, and to push forward for equality.

20 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Building Grassroots Power

Community Backyard Brisket ‘N Badminton in London

KFTC hosted a community social event for members, friends and local residents interested in learning more about KFTC at the London office on August 18.

The potluck event, called the Backyard Brisket ‘N Badminton (BBnB), was well attended with a mix of returning members and prospects from Laurel, Pulaski, Whitley and Knox counties.

It was a great success. Folks had a great time playing badminton and corn hole while enjoying the varied potluck options. Briskets were donated by KFTC Organizer Apprentice Angel Hill and her mother, Chrystal Hill, a resident of Corbin. Soda was donated by UKFansAllDay, a UK sports fan site owned by local London member Daniel Meece (https://ukfansallday.com/). The rest of the potluck table was filled with great food provided by attendees. According to Troy Carman, “The brisket was dope.”

“This was a great idea – nice to meet other members in the area,” said Carissa Helton, member from Laurel County.

“What a fun evening with yummy eats and like-minded folks,” added Tiffany Heim, a prospective member from Laurel County.

The event went on until late in the evening with many folks meeting each other for the first time.

“This is an excellent idea for meeting like-minded members of the community,” said Cheryl McFadden, also a member from Laurel County.

Looking ahead, new and prospective members in the Cumberland Valley region are excited to have more events in the community. There is new energy in the Cumberland Valley region, and members hope to have more updates from the area soon.

“It was very enjoyable, and I’d love to attend similar events in the future,” said Crystal Frasher, a member from London living in Fayette County.

Members from the Southern Kentucky chapter met this summer with elected representatives to voice the need for strong leadership in Frankfort and in Washington, DC. They talked taxes, health care, sustainability, climate and more, including at this meeting with U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie.

This group of Western Kentucky chapter members held an anti-oppression training on August 19 with the Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition. The title of the training was Everyday Acts of Anti-Oppression.

Kay Tillow of Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare spoke at the Western Kentucky KFTC Chapter meeting in August at Murray State University, with MSU students, faculty and the public in attendance.

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 21

Building Grassroots Power

How our food system is designed to make us unhealthy

By Alexa Hatcher

felt. Which led to my mother becoming morbidly obese.

Even after I was born we always had a large garden One very important way that KFTC works to that supplemented what we bought from the grocery build people power is through community organizing. store, but the vegetables we grew nearly always got fried Community organizers make it their job to connect in bacon fat. Plus, to be able to buy potato chips, sodas diverse groups of people, often by helping individuals to and other junk foods was a privilege for them because share their stories so that others can relate. In the process they could never do that before. of sharing stories, seemingly personal problems become In fact, my Mamaw told me a story about her first public issues. We begin to realize that we are not alone time eating an ice cream cone when she was 12 years and that larger systems outside of us are responsible for old. She said that she ate the ice cream, then threw the creating the injustices that hurt us. cone away because she didn’t know that it was edible.

I became a KFTC member after [KFTC Organizer] See, eating these foods that you buy at a store meant Molly Kaviar and [chapter leader] Dana Beasley Brown that they were no longer poor. They wanted my mom came to my college classroom and helped my classmates to be able to eat all of those foods. They did it out of and me tell our personal food stories. The class was called love, not because they wanted her to be overweight Food, Community and Social Change and taught by and unhealthy. They never would have dreamed that another KFTC member, Dr. Nicole Breazeale. the foods that they bought at the store would cause her We were learning about how the earth, people and harm. Or themselves harm, for that matter. They just animals are exploited by the industrial food system. simply didn't know any better.

Huge farms and corporations that produce and process Now my Mamaw, Papaw and mom all have diabetes the foods that we buy at the supermarket have it in their and high blood pressure, not to mention other medical interest to make profits, not to sell us healthy food for problems associated with a poor diet. Growing up, this our bodies. Highly processed foods can cause damage has really affected me. My mother could never come to our bodies and make us sick. to my school events or watch my baseball games. She

Before the industrialization of food there were more couldn’t play with me, because it was just too hard for her farms and the farms were smaller, making it easier to to move around. I constantly worry about my family's maintain healthy plants and animals with less chemicals health and well-being. Especially now, with the threat and water. Mega farms that produce most of the food in of them losing their health care coverage. our supermarkets use unsustainable amounts of water I have had the ability to grow at least half of my and chemicals, and have pushed own food for most of my adulthood. many smaller farms out of business.

We try to stay away from foods that The practices of industrial Lots of our Mamaws and harm us, and we get great pleasure Papaws are suffering the farming might be very profitable for from experimenting in the kitchen consequences of an unjust some, but the Earth and consumers with our harvests. food system that seeks (particularly people living in

But that is not the way it has profit over consumer poverty) suffer the consequences of always been. I know what it is like health and well-being. those profits. And that is not fair. to be hungry as well. I know what it Some of the food stories that is like to live off of the McDonald's came from my classroom were dollar menu and gas station food. uncomfortable to think about; they made us sad and And I know what it is like to rely on the food pantry angry. Some of our food stories are joyful and made us for the non-perishable, processed foods that they are feel gratitude. My food story involves a little of both. graciously able to give people in need.

I was raised by a family who had a history of growing Unlike how my grandparents saw eating junk food food and living in Central Appalachia. As children, as a privilege for those who can afford it, today people both my Papaw’s family and my Mamaw’s family grew who live in poverty find it hard to have access to fresh up eating only what they could grow in their modest foods and find themselves living off of cheap, unhealthy gardens, because they were very poor. junk food.

But when my grandparents became adults and KFTC helped me realize that my story is a common started a family, they swore to never have their children one. Lots of our Mamaws and Papaws are suffering the or grandchildren feel the pain of hunger that they had consequences of an unjust food system that seeks profit

Alexa’s class cooked a meal at the soup kitchen in Glasgow with food from the jail garden and then led a workshop on access to fresh food. Project Breaking Ground is a collaborative project between the Barren County Detention Center and Western Kentucky University. This workshop was hosted at the Bunche Community Center in Glasgow.

over consumer health and well-being. Lots of us have been hungry and relied on food pantries and government assistance.

This is not just how life is or how life has to be.

We have the ability to shift power into the hands of the people who are harmed by these injustices and use that power to create a system that reflects our values and morals.

We have more than enough food on this earth to feed every person living on it. But we have to demand that our resources be used for the common good and not for corporate profit. Together we can organize to empower ourselves and our communities and ultimately help to shape the decisions made by our elected officials that affect our lives. We have no other choice.

Alexa lives in Bowling Green and is a member of the Southern Kentucky chapter.

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

22 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC NEWS

Laura Greenfield receives Shriver Youth Warriors Award Laura Greenfield of Paris has been awarded the Sargent Shriver Youth Warriors Against Poverty Leadership Award by the Marguerite Casey Foundation.

As the member-leader of KFTC’s Environmental Justice Analysis Work Team for the Empower Kentucky project, Greenfield collaborated with other KFTC members to strengthen and deepen an environmental justice analysis for Kentucky, helping to document the

relationships between pollution, health, race and poverty.

Greenfield worked diligently on this project for almost a year, helping all members of the work team understand and shape the analysis, including contributing to the goals, process, data, key choices and decisions, and interpretation of results.

She led monthly conference calls, facilitated meetings and helped to frame up choices for the work team

MEMBER LETTERS Amazing KFTC members inspire others who are watching Hello, good people of KFTC! My name is Ryan Coffey, and I am a new member of KFTC in Barren County. If you haven’t heard about the good stuff happening here, then prepare to be as intrigued and excited as I am.

Before I was introduced to KFTC, I didn’t know that there was an entire group of people across the state who love their community and want to see the world be a happy, safe place for all people. Now I am a part of this group, and I am honored to work alongside strong, passionate people who give 100 percent of themselves to making real, positive change happen.

Together, we have established a functional homeless shelter board to address the homelessness issue in our community while still diligently pushing for URLTA [Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act] to protect the renters. We have worked alongside the Fresh

Our tax contributions provide very real benefits Dear editor,

In the July issue of Balancing the Scales, most of the writing is devoted to opposing the governor’s regressive so-called tax reform package, particularly in opposition to a tax on groceries and prescription medications. The articles also advocate closing tax loopholes. Nothing is said about increasing tax rates and no specific loopholes are mentioned.

We all want more and better services, and those services cost money. I paid half as much in Maryland in property taxes on three acres with a modest house and barn as I did in Kentucky for 200 acres, two more expensive houses and four barns. For that increased taxes I got better services, particularly schools ,which meant my children got quality jobs and make more money than I.

I have owned property in 10 Kentucky counties. In

Food For All Campaign to ensure that ALL people have equal access to fresh food for free, and we have made our voices heard by protesting Sen. Mitch McConnell’s ACA repeal and participating in the Hear Our Health campaign, and even had the opportunity to meet Gov. Matt Bevin and tell him that we don’t support his unfair proposed tax change.

KFTC has empowered me to take action and educate my friends on very real issues that affect them. Most importantly, KFTC is giving me the tools to effectively challenge and change things that are hurting my community. Thank you KFTC, and all of the members across the state for being social justice warriors and setting a positive example for the new folks coming up!

Keep up the amazing work because more people are watching than you know.

Ryan Coffey Glasgow, Kentucky most rural, but not urban, counties in Kentucky, what I paid for a property 20 years ago is what it is taxed at today, although the law says all properties must be reassessed every four years.

It is human for me to advocate closing your loophole but not mine. But to reform taxes meaningfully, taxes must be increased and everyone will have to make their case.

In my opinion, the place to look for revenue is in that part of our economy which is growing, services: lawn care, car repair, building, accounting and attorney fees, etc. No mention of that was mentioned as an option in the article. Kentucky is behind in almost every field and this, in my opinion, is because we hate to face paying for the government services we need. The well-to-do should pay more, and most of us should, also.

Gordon Liddle Winchester, Kentucky

in ways that made it possible for people not well versed in statistical analysis to participate in a meaningful way.

And she used her skills and education to help illuminate people’s experiences, create tools and products that communicate relevant data in powerful and accessible ways, and shine a light on racial and economic injustice.

The results Greenfield and the work team produced illuminate some complicated but important relationships between pollution, health, race and poverty in Kentucky.

Their analysis finds that pollution from Kentucky’s energy sector is “directly, strongly and positively correlated with health problems in Kentucky.”

It also finds important differences in the types of pollution that affect Kentucky’s poorest counties, compared to the types of pollution affecting counties with a high percentage of people of color.

Throughout the process, Greenfield showed her strong commitment to protecting and uplifting vulnerable people and communities. Her work to generate an Environmental Justice Analysis for Kentucky is evidence of her commitment and ability to contribute to meaningful social change.

“I cannot even express how honored I am for the nomination and for receiving this award, how excited I am for the continued work ahead, and thankful for organizations like KFTC which work daily to fight poverty and all injustice,” said Greenfield.

The Sargent Shriver Youth Warriors Against Poverty Award is given by the Marguerite Casey Foundation (a Kentucky Coalition funder) to recognize and honor the vision, passion and dedication of young people to improving the lives of families and their communities.

Greenfield and the other honorees (including Julie Jent of Berea, who works with Opportunity Youth United) received $5,000 in recognition of their leadership.

Luz Vega-Marquis, CEO and president of Marguerite Casey Foundation, said, “These young people are inspirations to us all. Their activism, rooted in their own personal experiences, reminds us that each of us can make a difference by simply standing up for what is right and what is needed in our communities. By stepping up … each of them is carrying on the legacy of Sargent Shriver.”

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

Balancing the Scales | 23

calendar of events September 11, October 9 Chapter meeting – Jefferson County 6:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church 809 S. 4th St., Louisville Info: Alicia@kftc.org or 502-589-3188

October 2, November 6 – Chapter meeting Wilderness Trace, 7 p.m.

InterCounty Energy Community Room 1009 Hustonville Rd., Danville Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713

September 19, October 17 Chapter meeting – Northern Kentucky 7 p.m. – Center for Great Neighborhoods 321 W. 12th Street, Covington Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103

October 3, November 7 – Chapter meeting Big Sandy, 6 p.m. at the KFTC office 152 North Lake Drive, Prestonsburg Info: Jacob@kftc.org or 606-878-2161

September 21 – Chapter meeting Shelby County, 6 p.m., Stratton Community Center 215 W Washington St., Shelbyville Info: Carissa@kftc.org or 502-589-3188 September 21, October 19 Chapter meeting – Rowan County 6 p.m., St. Albans Church 145 E. 5th St., Morehead Info: Jonah@kftc.org or 502-488-3830 September 21, October 19 Chapter meeting – Central Kentucky 7 p.m. at the Episcopal Mission House 203 E. 4th Street, Lexington Info: BethHoward@kftc.org or 859-276-0563 September 21 – Tax Justice webinar focusing on the Kentucky Forward Plan (progressive tax reform); 7 p.m. EDT Register at http://bit.ly/2xXdTV2 September 25, October 23 Chapter meeting – Madison County 7 p.m. at Berea Friends Meeting House 300 Harrison Street, Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 September 26, October 24 Chapter meeting – Southern Kentucky 6 p.m. at The Foundry 531 W. 11th Ave. in Bowling Green (October location TBA) Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989

October 5, November 2 Chapter meeting and potluck Scott County, 6:30 p.m.

Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane, Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 October 7 – Southern Kentucky Yard Sale 7-11 a.m., 704 Nutwood St. in Bowling Green Info: Molly@kftc.org or 502-599-3989 October 15 – Fall Mixer / Bourbon Social at the Silent Brigade Distillery 426 Broadway in Paducah; sponsored by the Western Kentucky chapter and includes KFTC presentation on voter engagement October 16 – Chapter meeting Perry County, 6 p.m.

Location TBD Info: Jacob@kftc.org or 606-878-2161 October 16 – Get Out Movie Night!

Scott County chapter; 6 p.m.

Scott County Public Library 104 S. Bradford Lane, Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103 October 22 – Madison County KFTC Halloween Spooktacular, 6 - 8:30 p.m.

Union Church (200 Prospect St.) in Berea Info: Sasha@kftc.org or 859-358-9713 October 28 – Georgetown Pride Picnic 11 a.m. at 601 E. Main Street in Georgetown Info: Joe@kftc.org or 859-380-6103

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

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

859-756-4027

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

www.kftc.org | September 14, 2017

24 | Balancing the Scales

You can help build GRaSSRooTS poweR

We’re in a challenging moment in our history, with many Kentuckians facing real peril. But KFTC members continue to believe our vision for Kentucky is possible, and work for it every day.

We have a vision. We are working for a day when Kentuckians – and all people – enjoy a better quality of life. When the lives of people and communities matter before profits.

When our communities have good jobs that support our families without doing damage to the water, air, and land. When companies and the wealthy pay their share of taxes and can’t buy elections. When all people have health care, shelter, food, education, and other basic needs. When children are listened to and valued. When discrimination is wiped out of our laws, habits, and hearts. And when the voices of ordinary people are heard and respected in our democracy.

Here’s what you can do today: Become a Sustaining Giver

With an automatic, recurring gift, you can help ensure that KFTC’s work to build grassroots power keeps happening every day, all year long. Your membership will always be current, and we’ll send you our new logo T-shirt.

We’re building grassroots power to achieve this vision. Lifting up the voices of Kentuckians.

Holding elected leaders accountable. Resisting with vision.

Your membership makes it possible. During our fall campaign, we’ll be inviting KFTC members to renew your membership and bring others into the work.

Renew your membership today

You’ll be a member for another year, and you won’t get a call from us this fall.

Invite a friend or family member to join KFTC One great way to do that is by hosting a PowerBuilder page. PowerBuilders help recruit members and raise funds for KFTC by hosting their own online pages. To sign up, contact the Development Team: amy@kftc.org or ebeth@kftc.org

Join or renew online: www.KFTC.org/donate Name: _________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ City: ___________________ State & Zip: _____________ Home Phone: ________________ Cell Phone: ______________ Email: _________________________________________

Make me a Sustaining Giver!

I will contribute $ _____ every: Month Quarter Year To update an existing Sustaining Gift, contact Ashley at ashley@kftc.org or (606) 878-2161.

Choose your T-shirt size:

XS S M L XL 2X Or skip the premium and put more of your donation straight to work.

I would rather make a one-time gift of: $250

$100

$50

$25

$15

$5 Other Amount: $_______

Suggested membership dues are $15-$50 annually, based on ability to pay. We welcome you to give whatever amount you are able.

Select what organization you would like to donate to:

KFTC: Membership dues and donations are used for lobbying and not tax-deductible.

Kentucky Coalition: Membership dues and donations are tax-deductible.

Payment Method:

Check or money order enclosed.

Bank withdrawal: Please return this form with a voided check. (Best option for Sustaining Givers) Credit card: Complete card information: Visa Mastercard Am. Express Discover Card Number: __ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ Expiration Date ___ ___ / ___ ___

Bank Withdrawal/Credit Card Payment Authorization I authorize KFTC/KY Coalition and their authorized third-party processing vendor(s) to debit my account or charge my credit card in accordance with the information provided. I understand that this authority will remain in effect until cancelled or changed by reasonable notification to KFTC/KY Coalition.

Authorized Signature: _________________________________ Date: _____________________