KFTC40: Broad Form Deeds, Water Monitoring, and a Name Change

#KFTC40: Broad Form Deeds, Water Monitoring, and a Name Change KFTC IN THE 1980s

On August 17, KFTC turned 40. In the coming months and issues of Balancing the Scales, we’ll be sharing stories from our four decades of action for justice.

THE BEGINNING

In the late 1970s, residents in six Appalachian states conducted a land study. When it was released, the study documented what many people suspected – out of state companies owned most of the valuable coal property, but paid almost no taxes to the communities that provided them with land and labor.

The study pointed to why one of the richest regions in natural resources was so poor in services for its people. People started meeting about the laws that allowed that to continue and ways to change them.

In 1981, some of these folks formed the Kentucky Fair Tax Coalition. They vowed to reverse a recent law exempting coal companies from property tax on their coal holdings and to change other unfair tax laws.

More importantly, they agreed their approach to change would be direct action organizing. 1981-1982: Initial work focused on tax reform, with an eye toward involvement in the General Assembly. Members started work to stop strip mining without landowners’ permission under broad form deeds. KFTC held its first Annual Membership Meeting.

1983-1985: KFTC started a water monitoring project. Coal companies were forced to monitor groundwater quality. Residents in several counties won fights to protect water quality or replace polluted systems. 1984: KFTC legislation to end abuses of broad form deeds became law. The next year, members forced the state to comply, but the Kentucky Supreme Court struck down the law in 1987 – leaving no choice but to amend the state constitution.

1987: KFTC changed its name to Kentuckians For The Commonwealth to reflect a statewide, multiissue approach.

1988: 82 percent of Kentucky voters say “YES” to the Broad Form Deed constitutional amendment to protect landowners and residents from strip miners. KFTC members help pass a hazardous waste local control bill. : KFTC legislation to end abuses of broad form deeds became law. The next year, members forced the

Decades later, the belief that people working together across our differences can make change in Kentucky is still at the heart of everything we do at KFTC. 1989: Louisville members won an incinerator fight and worked with People Outraged With Energy Rates (POWER) to stop utility rate hikes and shutoffs.

After fighting the abuses of broad form deeds for more than 20 years, member Joe Begley said, “This victory showed that if people get together and stay together long enough, they can get the job done.”

KFTC celebrates 40 years with a special anniversary logo

Recognize anyone in KFTC’s 40th anniversary logo?

To celebrate 40 years of action for justice, we worked with Seun Erinle and the talented team at GRID Principles to launch an anniversary logo and website. Learn more about how they use design to connect people at gridprinciples.com.

You can check out our new website at kftc.org. We’re building a site for beyond 2021 that provides the information and opportunities you need to get involved and build grassroots power with us. Stay tuned for more updates.