Madison County members talk taxes, moving Kentucky Forward!

"The people who are going through this are the ones who need to be a part of the solutions," Madison County KFTC member Toby Wilcher laid out Saturday morning during a KFTC tax and budget workshop in Berea.  The workshop, "As If People Mattered: Bringing Justice to Kentucky’s Taxes," was designed to give participants a better understanding of how the state’s deficit is affecting our community (where the rubber meets the road), learn about a fair tax system that values lower and middle-income families struggling during today’s hard times, and develop strong, simple talking points to have conversations with others in our community.

"It was very informative," said KFTC member Elwood Sturtevant who traveled from Louisville for the workhop.

Part of the workshop was to get a handle on how to talk about this issue with other folks in the community in a way that makes it meaningful and helps people feel connected.

"Language is important," said Richmond KFTC member John Wernegreen during the workshop. "When the press pick up on the phrase 'tax burden' -- that is counter-productive.  Government is not the evil we think it is."

Participants left with a better understanding of this issue and its importance, but also a set of concrete next steps to take action.  First up, the Madison County Chapter of KFTC will be meeting with one of their local legislators, Rep. Harry Moberly, on August 24th to talk about this and other KFTC related issues.