Coffee Break Activism 4/20

Coffee Break Activism
by Naomi Penner

Now that the legislative session is over (until Bevin's TBD special tax reform session), it's time to focus on a few issues in our city.

1. One of these is the upcoming city budget. Thanks to Councilman Bill Hollander (District 9), an ordinance was passed to give Metro Council and the public more time to evaluate the Mayor's budget. The Mayor's budget will be released on April 27th. Metro Council must pass a finalized budget by June 30th. The time in-between can be used by the public to help influence and shape the budget.

Thanks to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, a long-standing grassroots organization that works to address various issues all over the state, a "People's Guide to the Budget" has been created to help understand the local budget, highlight important areas the budget targets (or doesn't), and inform the public on what can be done to improve the budget.

Here's what you can do help create a city budget that works for all Louisvillains:

a) Read KFTC's "People's Guide to the Budget"
http://kftc.org/PeoplesGuideToTheBudget

b) Contact Mayor Fischer (502-574-2003) and your Metro Councilperson (502-574-1100) to share your priorities for the 2017/18 budget.

c) Share the guide with friends, family, and neighbors and encourage them to voice their opinions about the budget.


2. Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities are proposing an increase in rates that would hurt customers, especially those of low-and-fixed income, and potentially damage our health and air quality.

LG&E and KU want to double their flat monthly service charge, making a fee that would be paid no matter how much energy is used. KU's base rate for electric service would jump from $10.75 to $22 per month. LG&E's monthly fee for electric would also jump from $10.75 to $22, while their fee for natural gas service would increase from $13.50 to $24. Meaning a customer would owe a minimum $46 a month even if they use little-to-no gas or electricity.

It's up the KY Public Service Commission to approve, reject, or edit these proposals. Public comments must be made soon!

Send your comments to:
Kentucky Public Service Commission
Public Information Officer
P.O. Box 615
Frankfort, KY 40602

or

Learn more and send an email through this form:
http://kftc.org/take-action?tdburl=https://www.congressweb.com/kfc/6#/6/

It is required to include the rate case in the subject or your email or letter and your full name and address

• LG&E customers: Case #2016-00371
• KU customers: Case #2016-00370

3. Support Louisville Sex Education Now! 

It's almost the end of the school year and JCPS still has not decided upon providing a comprehensive sex education program in schools. Board Member Stephanie Horne (District 3) is a NO vote on this issue. 

Help encourage her to support Louisville Sex Education Now by signing this letter:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhLGj43VhT5fv5USmCVkkxM2WRMT59j10BjBgutfzzx7pWMw/viewform

4. Sign-up to attend a webinar on Kentuckians for the Commonwealth's newly released, Empower Kentucky Plan. Learn about their findings and recommendations on how KY can develop a clean energy future.
Webinar is on Wed. April 19th, at 1 pm.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/fedea74a490f7ea24ac87b605f06faf5


5. Learn about Louisville's history of redlining. Redlining, which dates back to 1933, is a form of discrimination in which lending agencies decline financial services to people living in specific neighborhoods, or businesses charge higher service rates.

Louisville Forward, the city's economic development branch, has created an interactive map showcasing redlining in Louisville.
https://lojic.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e4d29907953c4094a17cb9ea8f8f89de


6. Support Kentucky Health Justice Network. With one abortion clinic, EMW, facing possible closure, KHJN is more vital than ever. With a firm belief in reproductive justice, KHJN helps provide women with the funds and services needed to achieve abortion access.
Donate to their current fundraiser: https://bowl.nnaf.org/campaign/kentucky-health-justice-network/c115761


7. Donate furniture and household goods or make a financial contribution to Kentucky Refugee Ministries. KRM is a non-profit with a mission to provide resettlement services to refugees, as well as community resources and opportunities to achieve successful integration into our community. Find out how to donate here: https://kyrm.org/give/