Western Kentucky | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Chapter: Western Kentucky

We share a vision of a Kentucky where people and communities matter above profits, taxes are fairly assessed, we empower voters and protect their rights, we defend our environment, basic needs are met for all, and we value our most vulnerable populations. We engage with these issues because it is our goal to achieve a more equitable and just society. Our chapter is dedicated to addressing these issues with our government and leaders and holding them accountable.

If you also share this vision, please join us for one of our upcoming chapter meetings or events. We’d love to see you there!

Recent Activities

RECLAIM Act is approved by U.S. House committee

Appalachian Citizens Law Center on May 2, 2019 in Coal and Water, New Energy and Transition, Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, Big Sandy, , Cumberland, , Harlan County, , Perry County, , Western Kentucky, Congress, , RECLAIM Act

After reintroduction in April, the bipartisan RECLAIM Act was debated and voted on during the May 1 House

ORSANCO hearing in Erlanger

Robin Gee on April 10, 2019 in Coal and Water, Northern Kentucky, , Western Kentucky, Leadership Development, , Water Quality

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) held the last of three hearings on Monday, April 8, to gather public input on its latest proposal to change its mandate to monitor and enforce clean water standards on the river. The previous two had been in Pittsburgh on April 1, and Evansville, IN on April 4.

Monitoring would continue under the new proposal, but states could decide whether or not to adopt or enforce the standards. This opened a new front in the fight to protect water in the Ohio River that provides drinking water for more than five million people. Over 75 people gathered at the meeting in Erlanger to voice opposition to the organization’s proposal. KFTC members attended the public hearing along with a broad coalition of individuals, environmental, social justice, religious, public health and civic groups.

ORSANCO work continues, hearings in early April

Joe Gallenstein on March 29, 2019 in Coal and Water, Big Sandy, , Jefferson County, , Northern Kentucky, , Rolling Bluegrass, , Rowan County, , Western Kentucky, Water Quality

For more than a year, KFTC has worked with allies to protect the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission’s (ORSANCO) mission to clean and protect the Ohio River through monitoring and enforcement. This commission, made up of representatives of the federal government and 8 members states (New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois) of ORSANCO maintains pollution control standards that are higher than the EPA or state enforcement agencies.

While these standards have not solved the Ohio River’s pollution issues, it has made considerable progress since the founding in 1948. Yet some political appointees in ORSANCO want to make these essential standards optional for states to enforce, giving states the ability to ignore damage to our water systems that disproportionately impacts lower income people and people of color across the region.

Southern Kentucky and Western Kentucky members see representatives sworn in despite new limitations on access to the Capitol

Alexa Hatcher on January 17, 2019 in , Southern Kentucky, , Western Kentucky, General Assembly

On Tuesday, January 8, Kentuckians gathered at their Capitol for the first day of the 2019 legislative session.

Fixing What's Broke: why Congress must support a Just Transition for miners with black lung and communities

Lisa Abbott on October 21, 2018 in Coal and Water, Economic Justice, New Energy and Transition, Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Big Sandy, , Cumberland, , Harlan County, , Perry County, , Rowan County, , Western Kentucky, Black Lung, , Climate Justice, , Congress, , Empower Kentucky, , Federal tax policy, , I Love Mountains Day, , Knott County, , Mine Safety, , OSM - Office of Surface Mining, , Power Plants, , RECLAIM Act

A new report from KFTC describes ways Kentuckians are organizing to demand action from Congress – and especially from Senator Mitch McConnell – in support of a Just Transition for miners with black lung disease, retired and laid off miners, and their communities.

To build a new economy in coal communities, the report says Congress should start by "fixing what's broke," including strengthening funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, passing the RECLAIM Act, and protecting miners' pensions.

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Chapter Feature:

Members organize, create new chapter in Western Kentucky from Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on Vimeo.

Some recent media hits

Senators Take Heat On Health Care During Summer Break

Western Kentucky KFTC members stand for tax justice outside Bevin’s bill signing

Western Kentucky residents meet to form a KFTC chapter

KFTC members and allies hold a Stand For Kentucky solidarity rally in Paducah, as others take action in Frankfort

Regular Meetings:

Faculty Hall Murray, KY

We meet every third Sunday of the month at 3:30 p.m. in Faculty Hall on Murray State University's campus.  Call Organizer Laura Harper Knight (502)216-6642 or join our Facebook group to connect with the chapter and find meeting details.

Chapter Organizer:

Laura Harper Knight
KY 42001
270-282-4553

Other Pages

Upcoming Events:

June 6

ORSANCO Commission Meeting

668 West 5th Street
Covington, KY 41011

The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) will be discussing and potentially voting on proposed changes to their Pollution Control Standards.