July 2020 – Balancing the Scales

VOLUME 39 NUMBER 3

JULY 15, 2020

INSIDE … » KFTC’s new Organizational Change Initiative » A wrap-up of work in the primary election and a look ahead to » Victories in the U.S. House and Scott County » Racial justice statements

» Updates on chapter annual meetings and KFTC leadership nominations … and much more!

Giving voice to today’s work for justice.

Story on page 19

Change Service Requested

scales

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

BALANCING THE

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

2 | Balancing the Scales

is a statewide grassroots social justice orga­­ni­ zation 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 Cassia Herron, chairperson Alan Smith, vice chairperson Rebecca Tucker, secretary-treasurer Fannie Madden-Grider, at-large member Meta Mendel-Reyes, immediate past chair Chapter Representatives Emily Baldridge, Big Sandy Tiffany Duncan, Central Kentucky David Miller, Cumberland Carl Shoupe, Harlan County Connor Allen, Jefferson County John Wade, Madison County Greta Elenbaas, Northern Kentucky Courtney Combs, Perry County Amelia Cloud, Rolling Bluegrass Alvin Madden-Grider, Rowan County Joy Fitzgerald, Shelby County Summer Bolton, Southern Kentucky Jim Gearhart, Western Kentucky Shannon Scott, Wilderness Trace Alternates: Mikaela Curry, Big Sandy; Rachel Norton, Central Kentucky; Stephanie Kingsley, Cumberland; Chase Gladson, Harlan County; Courtney Kearney, Jefferson County; Susan Haddix, Madison County; Paul Schwartz, Northern Kentucky; Bobby Duff, Perry County; Kali Reagan, Rolling Bluegrass; Allie Secor, Rowan County; Tammy Barrett, Shelby County; Teresa Christmas, Southern Kentucky; Shannon Davis-Roberts, Western Kentucky; Eric Mount, Wilderness Trace

Table of Contents

KFTC News KFTC leaders commit to Organizational Change Initiative ..................................................... 3 Steering Committee approves alternative to mass gathering for annual meeting....... 14 Chapter annual meetings will take place online this year in August.................................. 14 KFTC & Kentucky Coalition leadership nominations .......................................................... 15-17 Statewide issue and governance committees ............................................................................ 18 KFTC Live features conversations among members ............................................................... 19 Staff updates ........................................................................................................................................... 19

Voter Empowerment Reflections on KFTC’s work in the 2020 primary election ......................................................

KFTC members show up in big ways for primary election .....................................................

KFTC members get lots of media requests ..................................................................................

Debbie Graner casts her vote! ............................................................................................................

How do I know if Beshear’s executive order applies to me? ..................................................

4 5 5 5 6

Economic Justice HEROES Act and Moving Forward Act are needed now........................................................... 7 Why federal relief is needed to help Kentucky and the nation .............................................. 7 New Energy and Just Transition RECLAIM, AML pass the House in The Moving Forward Act ................................................. 8 Troubling Kentucky Power rate case could set bad precedent.............................................. 9 Comments demonstrate strong support for state control of solar policies .................... 9 Five-month update for KFTC’s London office solar usage ................................................... 10 Building Grassroots Power Rolling Bluegrass members celebrate Scott landfill victory .................................................. 11 Racial Justice Taking action for Black lives and a moral agenda .................................................................... 12 Everything is on the table: K.A. Owens remarks on policing in Louisville ....................... 12 Coal and Water Blackjewel has environmental debts, bankruptcy court told ............................................... 13

Balancing the Scales is published by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth and sent as third class mail from Louisville. Reader contri­butions and letters to the editor should be sent to P.O. Box 864, Prestonsburg, KY 41653 or jhardt@kftc.org. Subscriptions are $20/yr.

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 3

KFTC News

KFTC leaders commit to Organizational Change Initiative

As KFTC quickly approaches our 40th anniversary Throughout much of 2019 and early 2020, KFTC next summer, there’s much to consider celebrating. went through a racial justice assessment. One of the The organization – with origins in tax reform and primary recommendations from the assessment was a deep history and brand of Appalachian environmen- for KFTC to pursue “structural reimagining” to create talists – has grown to become the commonwealth’s a structure that could be more diverse, equitable and premier group of grassroots social justice lobbyists and inclusive. voting rights advocates. Across the country, KFTC is That objective sits at the forefront of the OCI. held in high esteem among our peers.

Another component of organizational change in We certainly have grown quite a bit, to the degree process is our staff team. that we need a temperature check and a recalibration.

Last fall the majority of our non-management staff On May 28, Executive Director Burt Lauderdale, petitioned KFTC to be represented by the Chicago Chairperson Cassia Herron and Organizational Devel- and Midwest Regional Joint Board, Workers United. opment Consultant Pamela Chiang made a presenta- Four days later the Steering Committee recognized tion to the Steering Committee laying out the case to the union and the process of negotiating a contract orient and organize ourselves toward an Organizational began in March. It has been slowed by COVID, but Change Initiative (OCI). The Steering Committee ap- continues with video conferencing. We expect a conproved the proposal. tract will be finalized in the next few months and will “People are protesting the police murders of un- help shape how the staff team is integrated into our armed Black men and women, not only in Louisville, overall structure. but in small towns across the state. Something’s rising A third area of organizational redesign and change in Kentucky and the nation, and the Organizational work opened up with the announcement to the SteerChange Initiative will help KFTC to meet this historic ing Committee last fall from long-time KFTC Execumoment,” said Meta Mendel-Reyes, KFTC’s immedi- tive Director Burt Lauderdale that he will transition ate past chair and Executive Committee member. off the KFTC staff in August of 2021.

“As a statewide, grassroots organization, KFTC is When announcing his decision last November, well-positioned to play a critical role, but only if we Lauderdale told the Steering Committee, “There’s a organize ourselves to meet the moment. That's where lot of reasons why this is the right time for this step OCI comes in.” for KFTC – and mostly it’s just time. As we take on

The Steering Committee has discussed the need for the task of transforming KFTC – again – it’s the right a comprehensive strategic planning process for more time to imagine a staff team and staff function with a than two years, but postponed the project in favor of different form of, and person in, staff leadership.” more urgent work including our integrated voter en- Reimagining the executive staff leadership and gagement as well as other organizational development bringing new personnel into the role will be an impriorities such as the racial justice assessment carried portant component of a redesigned staff team and out in 2019-20. organization.

It’s been almost 20 years since our last comprehen- There are many more elements of the OCI includsive strategic planning ing affirming and updat“Our membership has changed, our program of process. In that time, ing our transformational KFTC has evolved and work has exploded, and Kentucky has changed. It’s vision for Kentucky and grown. time for us to examine our goals, assess our role in defining what’s the best Why “Organizationrole for KFTC in pursuit advancing social justice, and reshape the strategies al Change?” of that vision. We expect and structures we use to pursue our vision.”

While we plan to to examine the focus of step back and look at the – Cassia Herron our core strategies and whole picture of KFTC, their relationship to each some key elements of organizational change are promi- other: how we organize and how we can enhance our nent in the discussion. strategies.

Chief among these is the deepening understanding Finally, as Chiang noted, we expect to put in place of and commitment to racial justice as a core compo- new policies, practices and processes that keep the nent of our theory and practice of change. organization fresh and relevant, focused and able to

realize the internal and external change we imagine in this process.

“Our country, communities and commonwealth are facing an overwhelming set of crises and opportunities for transformative change. As a leading progressive organization in Kentucky and key player in the broader social justice movement, KFTC has the obligation and commitment to continually reflect and reimagine ourselves,” said Lisa Abbott, a long-time staff member and organizer.

“This organizational change initiative is our next time to inquire, listen, reflect and make choices that will shape the next 20 years in Kentucky. How will we equip ourselves and our organization to fight for a healthy, multi-racial democracy, address structural racism and climate change, and win big structural changes needed for a Just Transition to a healthy and just economy?”

That’s the work before us.

Meet KFTC’s Support Squad Our Organizational Change Initiative will require much from us individually and as a unit. We will need support from each other and our friends. Meet the folks who have stepped in thus far.

Pamela Chiang has been a consultant with KFTC for more than 10 years, working as an executive coach to Burt Lauderdale and facilitator for staff development. She specializes in organizational change.

Tony Bennae Richard is an Organizational Development and Change Practitioner, Trainer, Educator. He has considerable experience working with executive level nonprofits and unions in their organizational change and improvement efforts.

Aja Barber is a public health professional and has worked with KFTC as a mediator and trainer. She has a passion for facilitating the understanding that we can build something different by transforming our structures and institutions in ways that work for all of us.

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

4 | Balancing the Scales

Voter Empowerment

Reflections on KFTC’s work in the 2020 primary election In so many ways, the primary election of 2020 heard.

Kentucky still has a ways to go to make the genwas unprecedented.

Voting during a pandemic meant delaying the eral election as inclusive as possible. Voting by mail primary by a month and offering new and untested and early voting are still unknowns for the November options. election.

An uprising in support of Black lives and in op- The planning process should start now and inposition to the unjust killings of Black Kentuckians clude input from Kentuckians. Voting options – inat the hands of police during the final weeks added cluding absentee ballots and early voting – should be new gravity and highlighted stark differences among expanded. candidates.

Election day was officially June 23, but Kentuck- More than a candidate ians waited a full week for results. When those results came, many were devastated – an inspiring candidate Since KFTC established the New Power PAC who had given us hope and united us from the hood and started endorsing candidates in 2010, rarely has to the holler had not won. a candidate aligned with KFTC’s values like Charles But November 3 is perhaps the most important Booker, a candidate for the Democratic nominaelection of our lives. So much is at stake. It’s critical tion for U.S. Senate. Booker built a movement by that we elect a new U.S. senator and a new president. unashamedly speaking truth about issues that affect And that we fire Kentucky legislators who, for exam- Kentuckians and naming his support for Medicare ple, have politicized the for All, a universal basic “There are times in movements when you pandemic and furthered income and a Green can feel the momentum, the values we hold voter suppressions.

New Deal. He called come alive in mass, in community, and you As KFTC members out structural racism as can feel it in your body, in your heart, in your analyze and reflect on the foundation of gensoul. And when Charles Booker came out and the primary, we’re comerational poverty and walked around the several hundred gathered, mitted to helping elect united rural and urban tapping elbows, taking pictures, and people Kentuckians. better leaders this fall. were cheering, raising their fists, dancing,

Booker raised the you could feel it. bar for candidates in How (and whether) folks voted Kentucky, helping creWhen Booker spoke from the stage and ate the opportunity to shared his heart, his values and political Despite converging ask more of the folks platform, about his experience of marching crises, long lines and who seek to represent and protesting all over Kentucky for Breonna locked doors, KentuckKentuckians, to demand Taylor, for David McAtee, for Black Lives Matter, ians showed up in numbold solutions to the and his love for Kentucky, I looked around at bers not seen for many issues Kentuckians face. the movement, felt the energy, and as Bookyears for a primary. Iner said, “Kentucky is going to shake up the spiring candidates, hard Voting rights world,” we knew it was already true. work from the grassroots, and winning the

Some Kentucki— KFTC Democracy Leader Chris Crass option to vote by mail ans with a felony in their and vote early for the first time all increased turnout. past were able to vote for the first time in this primary But many voters hadn’t heard about changes to election, thanks to Gov. Andy Beshear’s executive voting or needed more information about voting by order last December. But because many of these folks mail. Neighborhood polling locations were closed, still don’t know they might be eligible, and because and transportation options were limited. Larger ven- the process is obscure and confusing, tens of thouues and longer lines made in-person voting hard for sands more still have not registered to vote. some folks. And Kentucky’s polling hours of 6 a.m. Reaching these folks this summer and fall – onto 6 p.m. remain insufficient for every voice to be line, on the phone and in our communities – will be

a priority for KFTC. A new narrative For a candidate like Charles Booker to win in Kentucky, folks need to see that Kentucky can be more and better than it is now. And we have to break down the myth that rural and urban Kentuckians don’t share many of the same challenges and aspirations. In fact, 231,000 rural and urban folks responded to Booker’s message because he spoke to their needs, values and desires for a brighter future.

Shifting the narrative about what’s possible and needed in Kentucky is a key strategy for KFTC in the fall election, and future years. We are Kentuckians.

We choose each other. And we deserve candidates who will show up with us and for us.

The Big We In this primary election, despite the pandemic, more folks had more options to engage, and they did.

And Kentuckians got the chance to glimpse a better future with visionary, inspiring leaders.

That momentum, energy and engagement can help us build a healthy democracy. Folks want more and expect more. And there’s a movement of hundreds of thousands of folks who – together – can topple the power structure that has held us back and move us toward the Kentucky we know is possible.

Zach, 15, volunteered for the first time at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville with his parent, Lisa Gunterman, who said, “I didn’t know if he’d volunteer with me, and once there, he was hooked!”

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 5

Voter Empowerment

KFTC members show up in big ways for primary election KFTC members stepped up in remarkable ways this spring to participate in a unique election and support a true, grassroots progressive candidate – while looking out for each other.

KFTC started early in the year with ambitious plans to register new voters and talk about the issues that matter to Kentuckians, and excitement about the candidacy of Charles Booker for the U.S. Senate.

Then the pandemic hit, and it became clear that both the election and usual voter empowerment work would be much different.

With so much at stake, KFTC and allies pushed for and won:

• •

located at police stations; a postcard mailing to all voters and a pretty significant awareness campaign from the state; two weeks of in-person early voting in every county, open to all Kentuckians without the usual complex absentee ballot process.

Secretary of State Michael Adams reported 889,679 registered voters requested a mail-in absentee ballot by the June 15 deadline, with a high number of those returned. However, at least 15,000 of those ballots were rejected because they were not properly sealed, signatures were missing and other various reasons.

Tens of thousands more voted in-person, either In Louisville, KFTC printed signs and posted them at • a mail-in on or before Election Day. In total, more than one more than 100 closed voting locations, letting peooption for all million votes were cast, with about 80 percent of ple know of the one location in the county to vote.

Kentucky voters those absentee, representing a turnout rate of about And volunteers stationed at these closed precincts for the first time 29 percent. ever; directed more than 100 voters to the correct location.

Much of the turnout was due to the excitement Members in several chapters provided wheelchairs, • free postage generated by Charles Booker’s campaign. on those ballots umbrellas, encouragement and thanks to voters KFTC’s New Power PAC endorsed Booker in waiting in long lines. and drop-off locations in every February, and numerous phone banks, texting campaigns, literature drops, peer outreach, car caravans county; and social media efforts supported his candidacy.

• a successful ians to let them know their voting rights had KFTC and the New Power PAC reached out to challenge to a been restored by Gov. Beshear’s December 2019 push for all those tens of thousands of voters or potential voters, foExecutive Order; KFTC Voter Empowerment Or- drop-off locacusing on communities of folks often ignored by big • creating awareness of the vote-by-mail absentee ganizer Donovan Taylor. tions to be campaigns and mainstream candidates. ballot option and helping voters understand that In addition, process; KFTC members • getting out the vote, by mail and in person. focused on: • reaching out to Those efforts will continue for the November 3 172,000 Kentuck- General Election.

KFTC's work in the Primary Election was recognized and reported by several state and national media outlets, including an extended interview by Trymaine Lee with KFTC Chairperson Cassia Herron on the Into America podcast (www. nbcnews.com/podcast/into-america/kentucky-primary-n1231783).

KFTC leader Debbie Graner of Frankfort Members also talked with The Courier-Journal, WFPL-FM, Washington Post, voted for the first time after getting her Reuters News Service, Kentucky News Connection, Bowling Green Daily News, right to vote back! Debbie fought hard WVXU, Al Jazeera TV, New York Magazine and several other media outlets. to restore voting rights, and because of In a Huffington Post interview, Herron said about the mail-in voting effort: her work and others, 152,000 people with “There wasn’t enough intention to be sure that we weren’t suppressing the vote,” felonies in their past were eligible to vote adding that she would give election officials a “solid C” grade for their efforts. “It who could not vote last election. would have been a B-plus if they would have started the process sooner and provided [a way] for voters to have some input into the process.”

People with felonies in their past who want Post election, Shirlisa Arnold was on a national online panel discussion “Disto know if they got their right to vote back patch from the Frontlines: Safe, Free and Fair Elections in a Pandemic” organized can visit civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov to by @WeBuildProgress (www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=271300523944088). check. Then they can register normally if Arnold is about 36 minutes in. included in the executive order.

KFTC members get lots of media requests

Debbie Graner casts her vote!

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

6 | Balancing the Scales

Economic Justice

How do I know if Beshear’s executive order applies to me?

After Gov. Andy Beshear signed an executive order restoring the right to vote to an estimated 152,000 Kentuckians with felonies in their past, the Campaign Legal Center put together a great tool at www.RestoreYourVote.org to help people figure out whether Beshear's executive order applies to them.

It asks a series of questions to determine if someone can register to vote, and, if so, connects to an online voter registration portal. For people excluded from the executive order but who have served their time, there's still the option of requesting voting rights through an individual partial pardon from the governor.

In addition, one does not yet have the right to vote if they are still on probation or parole, have any pending felony charges or arrests against them, or if the felony was an out-of-state or federal conviction.

Exclusions in the executive order are people convicted of: • Any capital offense; • Any Class A felony; • Any Class B felony involving death of the victim or serious physical injury to a victim; • Any Class B felony involving attempted murder if the victim of the offense is a clearly identifiable peace officer or firefighter acting in the line of duty, regardless of whether an injury results (KRS 506.010); • Any attempted felony sexual offense (KRS Chapter 510); • Any Felony Sexual Offense (KRS 510);

• • • • •

• •

If one determines that the executive order includes them, they can simply register to vote by going to the local county clerk’s office and filling out a voter registration card, or register online at GoVoteKY.com.

A lot of exclusions were included in the executive order, which can make trying to register voters with felonies in their past tricky. KFTC will be putting together some resources and workshops in the coming weeks to equip people to register voters who just got back their right to vote.

KFTC believes that every adult deserves the right to vote, which is why we continue to push for passage of a proposed constitutional amendment that’s much simpler and much more permanent to restore voting rights to everyone once one has completed a sentence (House Bill 6 in the 2020 General Assembly).

Assault 1st or 2nd (KRS 508.020) Assault under extreme emotional disturbance (KRS 508.040(a)); Bribery in an election (KRS 521); Burglary 1st accompanied by commission or attempted commission of kidnapping (KRS 509.040); Burglary 1st accompanied by commission or attempted commission of an assault described in KRS 508.010, 508.020, 508.032, or 508.060; Criminal abuse 1st (KRS 508.100); Fetal Homicide 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th (KRS 507A)

• • • • • • • • • •

Human Trafficking (KRS 529.100); Manslaughter 1st or 2nd (KRS 507.030.040); Murder (KRS 507.020); Promoting a sexual performance by a minor (KRS 531.320); Unlawful transaction with a minor 1st (KRS 530.064(1)(a)); Use of a minor in a sexual performance (KRS 531.310); Reckless Homicide (KRS 507.050); Robbery 1st (KRS 515.020); Strangulation 1st (KRS 508.170) Treason

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www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 7

Economic Justice

HEROES Act and Why federal relief is needed to Moving Forward Act help Kentucky and the nation are needed now From the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy

The U.S. House has taken the lead on several bills that would provide immediate and long-term aid and jobs for people and communities hit hard by the pandemic and economic downturn. But unless Sen. Mitch McConnell allows the Senate to act soon, Kentucky communities will face devastating budget cuts to schools, health care, human services, infrastructure, public safety, unemployment insurance and more.

Specifically, the House has taken the initiative to pass: • •

the HEROES Act the Moving Forward Act or infrastructure bill (H.R. 2)

The HEROES Act The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act is a response specifically to the pandemic. It includes provisions to help Kentucky avoid additional layoffs and devastating cuts to services. Specifically, it would: •

• •

Allocate $7.1 billion to the government of Kentucky and $4.4 billion to local governments over the span of two years, in order to save thousands of jobs and help maintain the uninterrupted delivery of public services like health care, first responders, and safe drinking water.

Increase Kentucky’s Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) and provide an additional $1.7 billion in Medicaid dollars to Kentucky over an 18-month period.

Provide $1.3 billion for education in Kentucky, including $857 million for public K-12 schools and $395 million to public colleges and universities, which would save 12,000 jobs supporting K-12 education and 2,100 supporting higher education. This funding would help strengthen distance learning and teaching strategies to keep students and teachers healthy.

The HEROES Act passed the U.S. House on May 15, mostly along party lines. Kentucky Rep. John Yarmuth voted for the measure while Reps. James Comer, Brett Guthrie, Thomas Massie, Hal Rogers and Andy Barr opposed the relief legislation. continued on next page, bottom

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting recession are wreaking havoc on Kentucky; the state is facing a massive revenue shortfall, which will significantly affect its budget and its ability to provide crucial services. Federal funding is needed to help Kentucky, along with the local governments within it, in ensuring that health care, education, transportation, first responders, and other services continue uninterrupted.

The picture is already bleak; since the pandemic started, the state has lost 29,500 public sector jobs. The economic gravity of the shortfall cannot be stressed enough; without further federal aid to state and local governments, Kentucky is projected to lose 69,400 private and public jobs by the end of 2021. The recent resurgence of the virus only compounds the urgency and should dispel all complacency.

The coronavirus pandemic has decimated Kentucky’s economy: •

•

In May, Kentucky had an unemployment rate of 11.0 percent, one of the highest rates ever recorded, with roughly 130,000 more state residents out of work compared to February.

As of early July, approximately 1,000,000 Kentuckians, representing 49.2 percent of the state’s February labor force, have filed unemployment insurance claims since the beginning of March. Some estimates are projecting a double-digit unemployment rate well into 2021.

Kentucky’s tax revenues are plummeting – creating a severe funding crisis for schools, health care, and other critical services.

The Kentucky state government has projected a budget shortfall of $624 million in FY 2020 and $1.1 billion in FY 2021, declines of 5 percent and 17 percent, respectively.

Cities in Kentucky are facing serious revenue shortfalls as well. Louisville alone recently projected a budget shortfall of $115 million, according to local sources. The National League of Cities estimates that cities will experience $360 billion in revenue loss through fiscal year 2022, which will force them to significantly cut spending on crucial services or raise taxes on already recession-battered residents.

Studies on the Great Recession found that forcing states to deal with severe budget constraints through austerity dampen long-term gross domestic product (GDP), prolong spells of high unemployment, and extend recessions.

Between February and May, 29,500 public sector workers were laid off in Kentucky. The National Education Association has estimated that Kentucky could lose roughly 38,100 education jobs by the end of FY 2022 as a result of the decline in the state general revenues that fund education.

Absent federal action, these job losses could get much worse. A recent analysis conducted by the Economic Policy Institute estimates that without it, Kentucky will lose a combined total of 69,400 public and private jobs by the end of 2021.

Health care in Kentucky is also in jeopardy.

The Urban Institute has projected that Medicaid caseloads could increase by as much as 271,000, or 24.9 percent, through FY 2021 – a massive and unprecedented spike. Kentucky desperately needs help to cover those who are newly unemployed and expected to enroll in Medicaid and offset extra Medicaid costs related to coronavirus.

Without proper funding, the state will be unable to treat at-risk patients, keep families healthy or provide life-saving care. Funding Medicaid is critical to ensuring that Kentucky can respond effectively to the coronavirus public health crisis and the current economic recession.

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

8 | Balancing the Scales

New Energy and Transition

RECLAIM, AML pass the House in The Moving Forward Act Kentucky will have a better chance at seeing its $400 million backlog of mine reclamation projects move forward thanks to legislation passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on July 1.

Both the RECLAIM Act and reauthorization of the Abandoned Mine Lands Program were included in the INVEST in America Act (a.k.a The Moving Forward Act), a broad bill addressing the country’s infrastructure needs.

“I am overjoyed that Congress is finally helping to clean up abandoned mines and polluted waterways,” said Joanne Hill, a retired nurse originally from Harlan County now living in Pulaski County.

“For too long, Kentuckians have been pleading for action with no response.”

“Today our creeks run every shade of gray and orange due to pollution from abandoned mine sites,” said Teri Blanton, a past chairperson of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth. “The 1977 federal Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act requires coal companies to pay into a fund to reclaim their old mines and clean up polluted creeks. But over the years, Congress has held back billions of dollars that were supposed to be used creating jobs and reclaiming land in our communities.”

The RECLAIM Act accelerates the release of an additional $1 billion over five years (across 20 states) for reclamation projects that are tied to economic and community development projects on or near the mine site. The legislation does not cost taxpayers a dime, but simply releases funds already collected for the purpose of cleaning up old mines.

The legislation prioritizes projects that return unsafe mine lands and waterways to productive use, including agriculture (including aquaponics, greenhouses and orchards), solar energy or wind produc-

tion, recreation and adventure tourism, community services, affordable housing, and local businesses.

The bill passed the House 233-188. Only Rep. John Yarmuth voted for the bill, with other Kentucky Reps. James Comer, Brett Guthrie, Thomas Massie, Hal Rogers and Andy Barr voting against the measure.

Thousands of good new jobs in U.S. mining communities would be created or supported by the release of these funds, jobs that fit the skills and work experiences of many laid-off miners.

Kentucky has a backlog of 1,089 sites in eastern and western Kentucky that qualify for support from the Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) fund. The federal Office of Surface Mining estimates completing all the remaining AML projects in Kentucky would require more than $400 million to repair.

The AML program, from which RECLAIM

A C T I O N

funds would come, is set to expire at the end of 2021 unless Congress acts to extend it.

To realize these benefits, the legislation also has to pass the Senate. Whether it does is largely up to Sen. Mitch McConnell.

“We’ve knocked on Senator McConnell's door time and time again seeking his support for the RECLAIM Act and funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. Up to this point we’ve been left out in the cold. It’s time for that to change,” said Hill.

McConnell called H.R. 2 “absurd.”

This legislation is a critical step for coal community recovery after the decline of the coal industry and the economic effects of COVID-19. The RECLAIM Act and reauthorization of the abandoned mine reclamation fee was recently endorsed by more than 100 organizations across the United States in a letter to congressional leadership.

Contact Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and tell them to pass the RECLAIM Act & AML Reauthorization.

1. Use contact information below or dial 888-454-0483 to hear a recording and get connected.

2. Send a letter using the action page at: theallianceforappalachia.org/tell-your-senators-to-pass-the-reclaim-act Sen. Mitch McConnell 502-582-6304 – Louisville office Online: www.mcconnell.senate.gov/ public/index.cfm/contactform

Sen. Rand Paul 202-224-4343 – Washington Online: www.paul.senate.gov/contact

HEROES Act and Moving Forward Act are needed now … continued from previous page McConnell, who has kept the Senate from passing its own version of an additional pandemic relief bill or considering the House bill, called the HEROES Act a “wish list.”

“As the recession stretches into the second half of 2020, it is becoming increasingly clear that states and localities are at the forefront of combating the pandemic and its economic fallout,” said information from the Center for Economic Policy. “From keeping students enrolled in remote learning programs to equipping

community health centers with the protective gear needed to safely treat COVID-19 patients, state and local involvement can be seen and felt everywhere.

Learn more about the HEROES Act at: kypolicy. org/whats-in-the-heroes-act-for-kentucky The Moving Forward Act The Moving Forward Act (officially titled the Invest in America Act), is a more than $1.5 trillion plan to rebuild U.S. infrastructure – roads, bridges, transit

systems, schools, housing, broadband and much more.

The approach taken by the U.S. House also supports the goals of getting the country on a path toward zero carbon emissions, making communities and roads safer, and addressing long-standing disparities. Supporters say it’s “about investing in infrastructure that is smarter, safer and made to last.”

Important to Kentuckians, H.R. 2 includes the RECLAIM Act and re-authorization of the Abandoned Mine Lands Program (see story above).

McConnell has called H.R. 2 “absurd.”

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 9

New Energy and Transition

Troubling Kentucky Power rate case could set bad precedent Kentucky Power, which services much of southeastern Kentucky, has informed the Kentucky Public Service Commission that it intends to file for a rate change, including proposing a new and destructive net metering tariff.

The proposal calls for a large rate increase and a rate design that is harmful to energy efficiency and rooftop solar customers.

The rate increase, if approved, would hurt customers already struggling to pay high bills, and mean that Kentucky could no longer boast of having among the lowest electricity rates in the nation, hurting economic development. However, their rate structure or rate design proposed is equally troubling.

Kentucky Power wants a “declining block rate structure.” During three winter months, the high charge of $.12 per kilowatt hour (kWh) will apply only to the first chunk of electricity used by a household. Above that level of use, the rate drops to $.06 / kWh. Declining block rates discourage investment in energy efficiency and rooftop solar, since customers are going to pay the highest rate anyway for the smaller amount of electricity used.

Kentucky Power also is proposing complex and harmful new rules for how power generated from rooftop solar and added to the grid will be credited.

•

It divides the 24 hour clock into two blocks: 8

•

•

a.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.

A customer with a grid-tied solar system will get credited for energy their system generates and their home or business uses during the 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. time block. But energy generated during the daylight hours cannot be used to offset energy used in the second block of time (at night).

This punishes residential customers, assuming that their system generates excess electricity when they are out at school or work and they use more electricity in the evening.

If the household or business generates more solar energy during the daytime block than it uses during the daytime block, Kentucky Power proposes to credit the bill at a value of $.036 for each kWh contributed to the grid, about a quarter of the $.122 / kWh retail rate they would charge when one needs to use that electricity.

The attack on net metering is made possible by controversial legislation (Senate Bill 100) passed by state legislators during the 2019 General Assembly.

“Kentucky Power's net metering proposal is horrible, as well as is proposing rates that discourage energy efficiency – not only the declining block plan, but a new increase in the fixed monthly charge,” said Cathy Clement, a member of KFTC’s New Energy and Transition Committee.

“This is the first rate case that considers net meter-

ing since SB 100 was passed. Whatever decisions are made in this case work, at least informally, as precedents for rate cases brought by other utilities.”

The proposal does have a provision for bill forgiveness for accounts that are more than 30 days delinquent as of May 28. While that is good news, Kentucky Power has been successful at getting media to focus attention on that rather than the more troubling rate changes.

This rate case will mark the PSC’s first decision on what a new net metering rate – the credit rooftop solar customers get for contributing power to the grid – could be in the utility’s territory, and might set a precedent for the methodology the commission uses in other utility net metering rate cases.

As with all rate cases, there will likely be a public comment period and the opportunity for important stakeholders to legally intervene in the process. KFTC is talking with allies and other stakeholders to determine the best strategy to assure eastern Kentucky residents can obtain the rate structures they need and deserve to ensure all people have access to affordable, clean energy.

Kentucky Power is a subsidiary of American Electric Power, one of the largest utilities in the nation.

It owns or operates about 60 generating stations and 40,000 miles of transmission lines, with capacity to supply 26 million customers in 11 states with power.

Kentucky Power serves about 170,000 customers.

Comments demonstrate strong support for state control of solar policies National solar advocates Solar United Neighbors and Vote Solar submitted more than 20,000 public comments in support of states’ rights to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

The New England Ratepayers Association, a secretive group with strong ties to monopoly utilities, has asked FERC to take away states’ ability to administer net metering. Net metering ensures solar owners receive fair credit for the solar energy they produce, but do not use themselves.

“We've seen tremendous grassroots support for solar net metering over the years here in Kentucky,” said Cara Cooper of the Kentucky Solar Advocacy Network. “Decisions around the future of solar in our state need to be made at the local level where local people can be a part of the process, not at the federal level where decision makers don't have our best interests in mind.”

Solar United Neighbors and Vote Solar collected and submitted comments from almost 350 Kentuckians.

They were joined by Louisville Gas and Electric/ Kentucky Utilities, East Kentucky Power Cooperative, the Public Service Commission of Kentucky and the Kentucky Solar Industries Association, all of which intervened in the case.

In total, Solar United Neighbors and Vote Solar submitted nearly 9,000 comments from solar owners, more than 2,000 from workers and 331 from solar business owners.

The federal petition currently on FERC’s desk would override all states’ rights to set net metering policy, and if passed could do great harm to independent solar installers, as well as future and existing solar customers, by slashing the return on investment they expect to receive through net metering.

This is, incredibly, even more damaging than the

Kentucky state legislature’s Senate Bill 100, the 2019 anti-net metering bill whose full impact is still being determined.

SB 100 didn’t impact existing solar customers.

And all attempts to reverse SB 100 in future legislative sessions will be fruitless if the Trump administration approves this petition.

“Two years ago my husband and I purchased solar panels for our home. Although this required a significant chunk of our savings, we knew that with net metering, this was a sound investment for people on a fixed income,” wrote KFTC member Cathy Clement in her comments.

“Distributed solar is profoundly important for personal energy budgeting, community energy resilience and the reduction of greenhouse gases and fossil fuel co-pollutants. I urge you to ... deny this continued on next page, bottom

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

10 | Balancing the Scales

New Energy and Transition

Five-month update for KFTC’s London office solar usage In the February edition of balancing the scales, we shared that our London office had recently completed a series of energy upgrades in the last few years, including spray foam insulation, a new heat pump and new LED light bulbs – all of which culminated in the installation of solar panels on the roof of the building at the end of January.

Before the solar panels went online, KFTC was already seeing a significant decrease in energy usage as a result of the energy efficiency upgrades.

Now, with the solar panels contributing, energy usage is down even more. And KFTC has accumulated credit to offset future electricity charges.

The first chart to the right, which was recreated from the June electric bill, shows the average monthly temperature and average kilowatt per hour electricity usage over the last 12 months.

The second chart below shows the average monthly temperature and average kilowatt per hour electricity usage over the last three years. The average electricity usage has gone down significantly during the coldest months of the year as a result of the energy efficiency upgrades made to the building.

And with the addition of the solar panels, the London building is still on track to be completely solar powered!

CHART 1: average monthly temperature and average kilowatt per hour electricity usage over the last 12 months

Solar panels went online in February

AVERAGE

-687

-642

105

490

748

863

703 357

436

JUN

460

297

MAY

557

286

ELECTRIC (kWh)

JUL AUG

SEP OCT NOV

DEC JAN FEB MAR 2019 2020

APR MAY

64° 72° 77° 75° 2.08 2.37 3.23 2.88

75° 66° 47° 2.90 2.49 3.72

42° 45° 4.28 3.68

54° 57° 1.37 1.40

42° 45° 3.16 1.61

CHART 2: average monthly temperature and average kilowatt per hour electricity usage over the last three years 4k

74°

75° 67°

74°

77°

72°

65°

65°

65°

3k ELECTRIC (kWh)

77° 76°

75° 75°

75° 70°

66°

64° 55°

50° 41°

2k

48° 49°

54°

47° 40° 40°

40°

40°

46°

43°

45°

57°

46° 42°

30°

Negative usage: produced excess energy.

1k

0 SEP 2017

JAN 2018

MAY2018

SEP 2018

JAN 2019

MAY 2019

SEP 2019

JAN 2020

MAY 2020

Comments demonstrate strong support for state control of solar policies continued from the previous page petition and let states make their own energy choices.”

“I have severe asthma and it matters to me how we get our energy. Please do not make it harder to have solar make sense economically,” wrote Megan Naseman of Berea. “My asthma treatment costs my insurance company around $28,000 a

year. Externalities like air pollution from coalfired power just make people like me pay more.”

There are approximately 2.2 million residential net metering customers and 100,000 net metering businesses across the country. Together, they have invested billions of dollars in solar, with the expectation of recovering those costs through net metering.

In addition to the return-on-investment of solar owners, all grid participants are at risk of higher electricity bills if the program disappears. Without continued investment in local solar, there will be fewer local clean energy jobs, increased reliability issues, grid maintenance costs and a less resilient system that is more vulnerable to extreme weather events.

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 11

Building Grassroots Power

Rolling Bluegrass members celebrate Scott landfill victory This piece was written by member Beth Emery of Scott County. She and other members of the community led a fight against the Central Kentucky Landfill after it was proven there was illegal dumping in the landfill by the company that owns it. Members in the Rolling Bluegrass KFTC Chapter joined the work in raising awareness about this issue, promoting and attending fiscal court meetings, zoning board meetings and more. Chapter members are thrilled to share what residents have won in Scott County and celebrate their victory with them.

By Beth Emery In 2015, Waste Services of the Bluegrass (WSB) was found to be improperly disposing of 22,000 tons of electronic waste in the Central Kentucky Landfill.

The state Division of Waste Management issued WSB the following notices of violations: • • • • • •

allowing nonconforming waste in the CDD (construction and demolition debris) landfill; failing to comply with permit conditions; failing to implement a program for detecting and preventing hazardous waste; failing to record daily work cell maps; failing to restrict the working face to the smallest area practical; failing to place minimum daily cover over exposed solid waste.

Hundreds of Scott County residents turned out for a public hearing about the landfill in 2018.

to the deadline for the CDD landfill closure. State officials amended the Agreed Order to give WSB a nine-month extension, changing the deadline to close the CDD landfill to October 30, 2018. The state also fined them $20,000 for failure to comply with the Agreed Order and added an additional penalty of $3,000 a day for every day the CDD portion remained open past the October 30 deadline.

In September, a month before the arrival of their new extended deadline, WSB got approval from state officials for a “minor modification.” The modification included an extension of an additional 2-3 years to close the CDD landfill and outlined two different options for closing it:

In October 2016, WSB entered into an Agreed Order with the state. The Agreed Order included a fine, an order to fix all the problems listed above, an order to stop accepting waste in the CDD landfill, and Option A: WSB wanted to expand the landfill to accept more out-of-county and an order to close the CDD Follow the Rolling Bluegrass out-of-state waste. If the Dilandfill by February 2, 2018. chapter’s work on social media – vision of Waste Management In Januar y 2018, a Twitter: @RBG_KFTC, approved the expansion, WSB month before the deadline, Facebook: www.facebook.com/rbg.kftc would cover 11.94 acres of the WSB requested an extension

14 acre CDD landfill with an MSW (municipal solid waste) liner, which would act as both a cover for the CDD landfill and a liner for new trash that they could pile on top of it.

Option B: If the state didn’t approve the expansion, WSB would cover the CDD landfill with dirt.

In response to the state approving the minor modification, a group of local citizens filed a Petition for Review and Hearing. It was our hope that the state would be forced to revoke the minor modification permit and that WSB would be ordered to close the CDD portion of the landfill immediately.

Our efforts were eventually rewarded and on June 22, 2020 the Kentucky Energy and Environment Secretary ordered WSB to begin construction to close all 14 acres of the CDD landfill within 30 days. We will continue to monitor the situation as we advocate for environmental justice in Scott County.

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

12 | Balancing the Scales

Racial Justice

Taking action for Black lives and a moral agenda Part of a longer statement from KFTC on June 18.

We are Kentuckians. We choose each other.

And right now Kentuckians across our Commonwealth are in motion and taking sustained actions in defense of Black Lives, in support of a shared vision and moral agenda. We cannot, will not, let up.

KFTC supports and stands with Black-led racial justice movements and organizations in Kentucky and beyond our borders who are envisioning, demanding and building a just and liberated world.

We celebrate recent Supreme Court decisions affirming the humanity and constitutional rights of LGBTQ+ people and upholding DACA protections for hundreds of thousands of immigrant young people. And on the eve of Juneteenth, a holiday commemorating the emancipation of Black people from slavery in the U.S., we call on our 12,000 members to continue to commit time and

resources in urgent and intentional ways to advance racial justice.

The struggle for justice extends across generations. And yet there are moments in history when time seems compressed and transformational change is within reach. Now is one of those times. Here are urgent ways to take action now:

• Honor the lives and demand justice for Breonna Taylor, a beloved community member and Black woman murdered by Louisville police in her own bed and for David “YaYa” McAtee, a Black man killed by National Guard and Louisville police outside the barbeque restaurant he owned, and far too many others.

• Learn and support demands from Breonna Taylor’s family at www.justiceforbreonna.org.

• Read a 6.17.2020 press release (https://bit. ly/30a1jBM) from lawyers representing Breon-

na’s family. Then call on Mayor Greg Fischer (502-574-2003) to release information sought by the family and meet their broader demands.

•

Learn about and support demands from Black Lives Matter Louisville (www.instagram.com/ blmlouisville), including: • Fire, charge and convict the officers who murdered Breonna Taylor.

• Defund the Louisville police, whose annual budget is now $190 million, and re-invest in community services and resources.

•

Donate to Louisville Community Bail Fund (actionnetwork.org/fundraising/louisville-community-bail-fund) and #FeedTheWest (change-today.org/feedthewest), a mutual aid effort that formed when one of just two grocery stores in Louisville’s West End closed after the murder of David McAtee.

Everything is on the table: K.A. Owens remarks on policing These are comments by K.A. Owens at press conferences on June 14 and June 21 concerning police issues held by the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. Owens is a long-time KFTC member.

Everything Is On The Table

By K.A. Owens Defund the police? Reform? Rebuild? Reconstruct? Everything is on the table. It has to be. We can’t be afraid of change.

In the 1950s most police officers in America did not go to police academy; they learned from a manual and on thejob training. Now all police officers go to police academy and many have a high school diploma and two years of college.

Changes were made.

The police are better trained now than they ever have been.

Still we have tremendous problems in our K.A. Owens at the 2016 KFTC police departments annual meeting. in the United States.

Do all police departments in America need to be shut down and reconstructed? Probably not. Are there some that do? Probably yes.

Does the Louisville Metro Police Department need to be shut down and rebuilt? That is for the people of Louisville, the Metro Council and the mayor to decide. Change is a part of life.

Not too long ago we had city/county merger. The old Louisville City Police Department (723 sworn officers) and the old Jefferson County Police Department (450 sworn officers) were merged to make the new Louisville Metro Police Department. That was a significant change. We survived it.

Now it is clear more significant changes need to be made. There is no need to be afraid to discuss the possibilities. We can handle it. We need to live up to all the energy being created by people young and old out here in streets all across the country. We don’t want to let them down. Everything is on the table. Everything.

------- The redefinition of public safety in Louisville is long overdue. Now is the time. Everything is on the table.

Thanks to Councilperson Brandon Coan for not being afraid of starting the discussion at Metro Council with his suggestion of transferring $9 million from

the police budget. Perhaps important tasks should be transferred to non-sworn personnel. This discussion is not anti-police, but pro-citizen, pro-community. How can we spend our dollars wisely and make our community safer? Change must occur.

We need to start talking about a six month period where we not only look at Louisville Metro Police Department personnel, perhaps everyone reapplying for their jobs, perhaps the Jefferson County Sheriff supervising LMPD, but also looking at the mission of LMPD. What missions and assignments are putting our police officers in situations that end up harming our community? For instance, has it occurred to anyone at LMPD that since we are in a pandemic with thousands of our citizens out of work and out of school, the War On Drugs is perhaps not our first priority, that perhaps serving a no-knock warrant in the middle of the night in the hope of securing a bag of weed is not the first priority of our city. Change must occur.

What about the mission leads to the decision making of sending police and national guardsmen to 26th and Broadway to break up what? There was no riot, rebellion or disturbance at 26th and Broadway on the night Mr. McAtee was killed. It was just normal activity. Something is wrong with the mission, the tasking, the assignments and the decision making at LMPD. Something is wrong, and change must occur.

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 13

Coal and water

Blackjewel has environmental debts, bankruptcy court told KFTC and allies have asked a federal bankruptcy judge to consider the environmental liabilities created

by Blackjewel LLC and its affiliate mining companies in settling the company’s bankruptcy case.

Blackjewel – the company that gained notoriety last year when it shut down while owing its workers unpaid wages – has unreclaimed mines throughout eastern Kentucky, as well as in Virginia and West Virginia.

In filings earlier this year, Blackjewel assured the court that the majority of its permits and reclamation obligations had been assumed by other operations, which would be responsible for maintaining and reclaiming the sites.

However, there has been no activity to transfer 149 of the 213 permits the company holds in Kentucky, research has revealed. In the meantime, environmental violations continue to grow at many of the sites.

“We’re alarmed by the fact that so few permit K

transfers have even been initiated, let alone completed. We’re also alarmed by high, and increasing, number of permit violations at the non-transferred permits,” stated the letter written by Mary Cromer with the Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, based in Whitesburg.

The June 17 letter further stated: “We ask that the Court … require the parties to address whether and how … these mines will be brought into compliance and that reclamation obligations will be achieved. In addition, we ask this Court not allow Blackjewel to abandon any of its eastern mining permits until all ongoing environmental violations on those sites are abated.”

The number of environmental and safety violations has more than doubled over the past year at the sites still held by Blackjewel.

The letter reflects the position of the Beshear administration.

“Filings in federal bankruptcy court show that

www.KFTC.org/MeetOnline

In early March KFTC suspended all in-person activities until people can gather safely. Chapters are now meeting through online video conferencing, and we’ve added trainings, cultural events, phone banks and more where members can learn, take action and be in solidarity with one another.

We list them at: www.KFTC.org/MeetOnline. New activities are continually being added.

We make space at every online event for people to get to know each other, really interact and make connections.

Anyone can connect by computer if you have a webcam, mic and speakers. Or you can join by phone. We use Zoom video conferencing.

However, you need to register so that we can send you the appropriate Zoom link or phone number (or event location when we are able to safely meet in person again).

Visit www.KFTC.org/MeetOnline and register for the events you want to join in order to receive an invitation to the Zoom video conference.

Thanks

Blackjewel’s violations alone account for 30 percent of all outstanding non-compliance notices sent by the Kentucky Department of Natural Resources as of Dec. 31. The state warned the court that the company has made little or no progress in addressing those violations,” reported Bill Estep in the Lexington Herald-Leader.

“In addition, bonds posted by the company to cover reclamation costs may be woefully inadequate.

Kentucky has had longstanding problems with coal companies posting inadequate bonds to cover reclamation.”

Because of the complexity of Blackjewel’s holdings, ownership history and disputed assets, the case is likely to grind on for months or years.

The allies’ letter represents an effort to get the bankruptcy court to recognize and consider Blackjewel’s environmental and community liabilities with equal weight with liabilities claimed by other creditors. This is usually not the case in bankruptcy proceedings.

“We believe that the information presented in this letter is relevant to the Court’s consideration,” the letter stated. “The information presented in this letter goes to central questions about Blackjewel’s ability to comply with both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy law.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in these proceedings to give voice to the concerns of our members who live near these mines, and whose communities will bear the burden of the non-reclamation of these disturbed mine sites.”

The letter was written on behalf of the Citizens Coal Council, Appalachian Voices, Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, Kentucky Resources Council, the Sierra Club, the Powder River Basin Resource Council, Kanawha Forest Coalition and KFTC. Blackjewel and its affiliates have mines in Bell, Breathitt, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Letcher, Martin, McCreary, Perry and Pike counties in Kentucky, as well as Virginia and West Virginia, and in the western U.S.

for being a member or supporter of KFTC. You make the work you read about in Balancing the Scales possible – 38 years of it!

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

14 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC Annual membership Meeting

CHAPTER ANNUAL MEETINGS

Steering Committee approves alternative to mass gathering for annual meeting

All meetings will be conducted online using video conferencing.

Big Sandy: Tuesday, August 4, 6-8 p.m.

KFTC’s Steering Committee is excited to announce a revision to the 2020 Annual Membership Meeting – one that they hope continues to offer space for reflecting, celebrating, learning and strategizing together while keeping ourselves and our communities safe.

The in-person annual meeting had been planned for July 24-26 in Berea, but has been canceled.

This year’s annual meeting workshops will take place online throughout the weeks leading up to getting out the vote for the November election, likely September 14 to October 12.

Plans are being put together for online panel conversations and virtual weekly workshops to help us innovate and strategize about choosing each other in this moment, with an election that has already transformed Kentucky’s political landscape and all of us working within it.

Then, after the election, we’ll convene for the Annual Business Meeting on November 21. At that online gathering, we’ll have elections for KFTC leadership (see the following pages).

Members are excited to explore this different way of being together this year. Stay tuned for more information about panelists, dates, times and workshops.

Central Kentucky: Thursday, August 20, 7-9 p.m.

KFTC chapter Annual Meetings

Northern Kentucky: Tuesday, August 18 at 7-9 p.m.

Cumberland: Sunday, August 9, 2-4 p.m.

Harlan County: Thursday, August 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Jefferson County: Monday, August 10, 6:30-8 p.m.

Madison County: Monday, August 24, 7-8:30 p.m.

Chapter annual meetings will take place online this year in August

Perry County: Monday, August 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

As usual – only on a different timeline – in preparation for the statewide annual membership meeting, all KFTC chapters will hold their own annual meeting (see list to the right).

The online gatherings will give chapter members the chance to:

Nominate statewide committee members: KFTC governance committees are: Finance, Personnel and Leadership Development. KFTC issue committees are: Racial Justice, Land Reform, Economic Justice, Voting Rights, Litigation and New Energy & Transition. A short description of each is on page 18.

Any member may nominate themselves or others to serve on one or more of these committees. The nominations go to the Leadership Development Committee, which will recommend committee memberships for approval by the Steering Committee in September.

Rowan County: Thursday, August 20, 6 p.m.

Chapter status: members will decide if they wish to remain a KFTC chapter. Chapter petitions will be approved by the Steering Committee at its September meeting.

Wilderness Trace: Monday, August 3, 7-8:30 p.m.

• • • •

Elect chapter leadership.

Nominate members to serve on KFTC’s statewide committees.

Decide whether to remain a KFTC chapter.

Review local work and set chapter goals.

Chapter leadership positions: All chapters are expected to select a representative and an alternate to the KFTC Steering Committee, a chapter fundraising coordinator, membership coordinator and communications coordinator. These last three positions can be shared by a team of members.

Some chapters will have additional leadership positions, reflecting chapter committees or work teams, division of responsibilities and other positions agreed to by local members.

The chapter annual meetings are an important part of KFTC’s democratic process. All chapter members are encouraged to participate in these meetings.

Members who are not part of a chapter may make committee nominations using the form on page 18.

Rolling Bluegrass: Thursday, August 6, 6:30 p.m.

Shelby County: Thursday, August 20, 6:30-8 p.m.

Southern Kentucky: Tuesday, August 25, 6-7:30 p.m.

Western Kentucky: Sunday, August 19, 6-7:30 p.m.

To receive Zoom conference login information, register for your chapter’s annual meeting at:

kftc.org/chapter-meetings

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 15

Nominations Check List

KFTC 2020 LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS for selecting organization leaders

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

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

Nominations for the 2020/2021 Executive Committee and Kentucky Coalition Board are open until July 31, 2020.

The timing for this process this year is two months later than usual, pushed back due to COVID-19. KFTC’s Statewide Annual Business Meeting will be held in November instead of late July/early August this year because of COVID.

KFTC Executive Committee R description below R nominations form on page 17 Kentucky Coalition board R description on page 16 R nominations form on page 17 Statewide issue and governance committees R description on page 18 R nominations form on page 18 Nominations also can be made at: www.kftc.org/nominations – by mail using the form printed on page 17 in this edition

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS: Due July 31, 2020

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

These five officers make up the Executive Committee. This group makes necessary decisions between Steering Committee meetings and provides leadership for the organization. Four members of the Executive This is KFTC’s Committee are elected. The fifth position is the immediate past chairperson. The following is a description of the elected positions: current Executive Committee Chairperson The chairperson is a voting member of the KFTC Steering Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the chairperson of the KFTC Steering Committee and the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors. They preside at all annual meetings, Steering Committee meetings, Executive Committee meetings and Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors meetings.

Vice Chairperson The vice chairperson is a voting member of the KFTC Steering Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the vice chairperson of the KFTC Steering Committee and the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors. They preside in the absence of the chairperson at all annual meetings, Steering Committee meetings, Executive Committee meetings and Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors meetings.

Secretary-Treasurer This officer serves as secretary-treasurer for KFTC and the Kentucky Coalition. They also serve as a voting member of the KFTC Steering Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors. The secretary-treasurer serves as the chair of the Finance Committee.

At-Large Representative The at-large representative is a member elected from anywhere in the state. They serve as a voting member of the KFTC Steering Committee and Executive Committee, as well as the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors.

• • • •

The chair is Cassia Herron. She has served one year and is eligible for another term in that position.

The vice-chair is Alan Smith. He has served one year and is eligible for another term in that position.

The secretary-treasurer is Rebecca Tucker. She has served one year and is eligible for another term in that position.

The at-large representative is Fannie Madden-Grider. She has served one year and is eligible for another term in that position.

The fifth position on the Executive Committee is an unelected position filled by the immediate past chair. This position is currently filled by former chair Meta Mendel-Reyes.

Executive Committee members also may be nominated for positions other than the one in which they currently serve.

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

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

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

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

16 | Balancing the Scales

KFTC 2020 LEADERSHIP NOMINATIONS

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

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

KENTUCKY COALITION BOARD NOMINATIONS: Due July 31, 2020 The Kentucky Coalition is the affiliate organization of KFTC. It is a 501(c)(3) organization, meaning that it is allowed to accept tax-deductible donations from members and can access foundation grants not available to KFTC as a 501(c)(4).

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

Its reach stretches beyond KFTC and beyond Kentucky, as it provides support and acts as fiscal agent for groups working in Appalachia and the South.

For instance, Kentucky Coalition currently is the fiscal agent for the Alliance for Appalachia, a group of 15 organizations from Central Appalachia working to stop mountaintop removal mining and create a sustainable, just Appalachia.

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

The Kentucky Coalition board is composed of the five members of the KFTC Executive Committee

plus three additional members who are elected by the KFTC membership at its Annual Business Meeting.

Kentucky Coalition board members serve oneyear terms. The Kentucky Coalition board members who also are members of the Executive Committee follow the term limits placed on them as KFTC Executive Committee members. The three additional Kentucky Coalition Board members may serve four consecutive one-year terms.

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

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

• The KFTC Leadership Development Committee will consider all nominees and recommend a diverse slate of qualified candidates, taking into account a diversity of characteristics including gen-

der, age, race, income, educational background, place of residence, level of involvement in the local chapter and statewide organization, issue interests and other desired qualities.

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

•

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

Ezra Dike is in his first term.

Mary Love is in her first term.

Adam Funck is in his first term.

Funck recently moved out of state and will not be re-nominated.

Become a Sustaining Giver or increase your Sustaining Gift today Your automatic, recurring gift provides steady income to support KFTC’s work. Become a Sustaining Giver or increase your existing Sustaining Gift today and help build grassroots power.

Make me a Sustaining Giver!

NAME: __________________________________________________

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

I will contribute $ _____ every:

□ Month

□ Quarter

□ Year

ADDRESS: _______________________________________________ CITY: ___________________________________________________ STATE & ZIP: ____________________________

_______________

PHONE: ___________________ EMAIL: ________________________

Select what organization you would like to donate to: □ KFTC: Donations are not tax-deductible and may be used for electoral work. □ Kentucky Coalition: Donations are tax-deductible and will be used to

support leadership development and organizing work.

Sign up online: www.KFTC.org/support

Payment Method: □ Electronic Funds Transfer (best option for Sustaining Givers): Please return this form with a voided check.

□ Credit card: □ Visa □ Mastercard □ Am. Express □ Discover Card Number: __ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ -__ __ __ __ Expiration Date ___ ___ / ___ ___ Authorized Signature: _____________________Date: _________ Mail this form to: KFTC • P.O. Box 1450 • London, Ky. 40743

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 17

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: KFTC Executive Committee and Kentucky Coalition Board. Due July 31, 2020.

You may nominate yourself or any other member for KFTC’s Executive Committee and the Kentucky Coalition Board of Directors. All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. EDT on July 31, 2020. You may make your nominations by returning this form to KFTC at P.O. Box 1450, London, KY 40743. You also may email your nominations to nominations@kftc.org, or use an online form at www.kftc.org/nominations.

Your Name: Phone: Email:

KFTC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Due July 31, 2020

KENTUCKY COALITION BOARD: Due July 31, 2020

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

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

I would like to nominate: _____________________________

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

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

I believe this person is a good choice because: _____________

Chairperson Vice Chairperson

_________________________________________________

Secretary-Treasurer

_________________________________________________

Any of the positions

At-large Rep

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

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

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

I would like to nominate: _____________________________

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

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

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

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

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

_________________________________________________

Chairperson Vice Chairperson

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

Secretary-Treasurer

Any of the positions

At-large Rep

I believe this person is a good choice because: _____________

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

_________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

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

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

Return this form to: KFTC

P.O. Box 1450

London, KY 40743

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

18 | Balancing the Scales

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: by August 31, 2020 KFTC statewide committees KFTC ISSUE AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEES KFTC is accepting nominations for members to serve on statewide issue and governance committees (descriptions below). Any member may nominate themselves or another member to serve on one or more of these committees. All committee nominations will be considered by the Leadership Development Committee. New committee assignments will be finalized in September by the Steering Committee.

ISSUE COMMITTEES Land Reform – Develops the strategy for KFTC’s campaigns on issues connected to natural resources, especially coal, energy and water issues. Meets 3-6 times as needed.

Economic Justice – Develops the strategy and priorities for KFTC’s economic justice campaigns, especially around tax reform, wages and housing. Meets as needed, in person or by conference call.

New Energy and Transition (NET) – Develops strategy and priorities for work promoting clean, sustainable energy and a just transition for Appalachia and beyond. Meets face-to-face at least once a year, and monthly by phone about NET campaigns and opportunities and to develop shared strategies.

Voting Rights Strategy – Develops strategy for KFTC’s work on restoring voting rights for people with a felony in their past and coordinating the five-year plan for winning at the ballot box on this issue.

Litigation – Helps KFTC engage in strategic litigation that supports organizing goals. The team evaluates requests to join litigation and makes recommendations to the Steering Committee about new litigation. The team has conference calls as needed. If there is no active litigation, this team does not meet.

Racial Justice – Helps ensure KFTC is incorporating racial justice and anti-oppression into our work and strategies; includes educating members on racial justice issues, coordinating education and skill-building opportunities and ensuring that racial justice principles are applied to all of KFTC’s program. Meets in-person quarterly with some conference calls. All committee members must attend an anti-oppression training day in September.

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

Nominations will be accepted until August 31. ****** Terms are for one year, and members may serve an unlimited number of terms and serve on more than one committee at a time.

GOVERNANCE COMMITTEES Leadership Development – Develops, evaluates and helps implement KFTC’s leadership programs, including workshops and leadership schools. Nominates members to serve on statewide committees and offices. Meets several times a year as needed.

Personnel – Participates on staff hiring teams, staff performance evaluations, and manages the annual evaluation of the executive director. Provides guidance and makes recommendations about personnel policies and issues. Meets as needed (primarily calls).

Finance – Recommends budget and quarterly financial reports, financial management policies and major financial decisions; reviews and reports on KFTC’s audit. Meets by conference call every other month.

STATEWIDE COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS: Due August 31, 2019 You may nominate yourself or other KFTC members for the committees described on this page. Nominations will be reviewed by the Leadership Development Committee and appointed by the Steering Committee in September 2020.

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

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

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

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020

Balancing the Scales | 19

KFTC Live features conversations among members working on the front lines In fall 2019 KFTC started to explore the idea of a member-driven podcast series. Each episode would center women/Trans/Femme and voices of color and would be integrated with organizing and the work of KFTC members.

These stories would lift up what’s happening in Kentucky, uncover our part in larger national stories, and help audiences imagine an equitable future and what’s possible when we organize.

From the beginning we imagined each episode would be led by a host convening a group of people to have these discussions and allowing space for the audience to get involved.

Since March we’ve leaned into this difficult moment and pivoted where we could. We turned to technology that would allow us to work safely from home, and the podcast became a live video broadcast.

Using Zoom to broadcast live on Facebook, KFTC LIVE debuted on June 10, 2020, featuring co-hosts Cassia Herron, Tiffany Pyette and Shirlisa Arnold.

Once a month on select Wednesdays at 1 p.m. eastern time, Herron, Pyette and Arnold talk with an invited panel of Kentuckians about timely news and grassroots organizing across the state.

Each episode has been enriched with music, centering meditations, and questions for the audience to consider and respond to.

In addition to Herron, Pyette and Arnold, the first episode included guests Donovan Taylor and Lisa Garrison, all collectively representing voices from Louisville, Bowling Green, Corbin and Jenkins. The group discussed how their communities were showing up for the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting that our statewide response to racial injustice was emboldened by decades of visionary grassroots organizing.

S T A F F

U P D A T E S

The second episode aired on July 1 featuring Herron, Pyette and Arnold plus LaToya Drake, Joy Girgis and Heather Kinney. Guiding questions included: “What would life be like if more people voted? What work did you do in this election that you are proud of?”

The group discussed the creative and courageous ways Kentuckians showed up in response to an inspiring candidate and growing movement. And they invited folks to take action for voting rights.

Stay tuned for the Cassia Herron third episode featuring guests who have recently had their voting rights restored because of Gov. Beshear’s executive order, and learn about how you can get involved with the Kentucky Voting Rights Coalition.

Check on KFTC’s Facebook page for our Tiffany Pyette episode schedule and to watch recordings of the first two episodes.

Each episode is about an hour long.

Contact Caitlin Sparks at caitlin@kftc. org if you have feedback or an idea for the Shirlisa Arnold broadcast.

Two members of the KFTC staff team have left to pursue other projects.

Chandra Cruz-Thomson, who joined the staff in May 2019 as Jefferson County Chapter Organizer, has left to pursue movement work in Louisville.

Taylor Adams, who joined the staff as an Organizer Apprentice in June 2018 and became an Eastern Kentucky Organizer in January 2020, has left to pursue graduate studies.

Renew your KFTC membership today: kftc.org/support

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KFTC OFFICES AND STAFF MAIN OFFICE Morgan Brown, Burt Lauderdale, Ashley Frasher and Kevin Short P.O. Box 1450 London, KY 40743 606-878-2161 | Fax: 606-878-5714 info@kftc.org

FIELD OFFICES Louisville E’Beth Adami, Alicia Hurle, Carissa Lenfert, Corey Dutton and Jessie Skaggs 735 Lampton Street #202 Louisville, KY 40203 502-589-3188 Bowling Green Laura Harper Knight and Alexa Hatcher 958 Collett Ave., Suite 500 Bowling Green, KY 42101 270-282-4553 Northern Kentucky Joe Gallenstein, Caitlin Sparks and Dave Newton 640 Main Street Covington, KY 41005 859-380-6103 Central Kentucky Jessica Hays Lucas, Heather Mahoney, Laura Greenfield, Erik Hungerbuhler, Meredith Wadlington, Tayna Fogle and Nikita Perumal 250 Plaza Drive, Suite 4 Lexington, KY 40503 859-276-0563 Floyd County Jerry Hardt and Jacob Mack-Boll 152 North Lake Drive P.O. Box 864 Prestonsburg, KY 41653 606-263-4982 Berea Lisa Abbott, Amy Hogg, Michael Harrington and Julia Basil 210 N. Broadway #3 Berea, KY 40403

859-868-1179

Email any staff member at firstname@ kftc.org except for Laura Greenfield use lauragreenfield@kftc.org

20 | Balancing the Scales

www.kftc.org | July 15, 2020