Adopted October 7, 2007

        Kentuckians For The Commonwealth is a statewide, grassroots, citizens organization working for a new balance of power and a just society. As we work together we build our strength, individually and as a group, and find solutions to real life problems. We use direct action to challenge—and change—unfair political, economic and social systems. Our membership is open to all people who are committed to equality, democracy and nonviolent change. KFTC’s goals of organizing are: (1) fostering democratic values, (2) changing unjust institutions, (3) empowering people and communities, (4) helping people participate, (5) overcoming racism and other discrimination, (6) communicating a message of what is possible, (7) building organizations, (8) winning issues that affect the common welfare, and (9) having fun. 
        We will work to create a society which focuses on supporting the human rights of all people. We are a social justice organization. We believe that all people must be treated with respect and dignity regardless of ability, age, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual identity or any other defining characteristic.

• We will work for a sustainable forestry products industry [non-timber and wood products] for Kentucky that relies on ecologically sound forest management and the use of Best Management Practices on public and private lands.
• We will work to preserve and protect publicly owned lands and their natural resources
• We oppose on every front the rollback of the authority and funding for agencies and services that protect the environment and the rights of surface owners.

• We will fight to ensure safe, accessible and affordable water for all Kentuckians.
• We demand reasonable regulation of oil and gas drilling including protection and replacement of water and reclamation of damaged land.
• We demand full enforcement of laws and regulations related to the mining, transportation and burning of coal in order to protect water resources, prevent blasting damage, and require the reclamation of land and permitting of secondary roads used for hauling coal.
• We oppose the use of dangerous coal sludge impoundments and call for the development of emergency action plans for communities living near impoundments.
• We oppose the use of the mountain top removal method of surface coal mining and valley fills that bury perennial, intermittent and ephemeral streams.
• We oppose the environmental and economic destruction of industrial farming and its threat to clean air, clean water, rural communities, and small family farmers.
• We oppose importation of all solid, hazardous and special wastes, and promote local control over land-use decisions involving landfills and incinerators and related facilities.
• We will work to protect air quality to ensure the health and safety of Kentuckians.
• We will support reducing the use of harmful pesticides, the right of the public to know the nature of pesticides applied, and the right of a local government to have more stringent control of pesticide use.
• We promote source reduction, recycling, strong procurement policies for recycled products and a bottle bill.
• We will oppose environmental racism and classism, or the practice of locating polluting industries and waste facilities near low-income and minority communities, and in neighborhoods where people are least able to fight back.

 
We will fight to protect surface owners from the abuses by extractive industries. Specifically:

• We demand that the broad form deed amendment be fully enforced by all levels of government.
• We support a change in property laws so that a minority owner of an undivided interest cannot allow the sale, leasing or mining of land or minerals against the wishes of the majority of owners.
• We demand that oil and gas operators have permission of surface owners before they drill.
• We support the property rights of all landowners and will work to ensure these rights are exercised responsibly and equitably so as not to unfairly compromise the interests of the public, the environment, or surrounding property owners.

We will work to make government open, honest and responsive to the needs of the people. Specifically:

• We will fight to protect the local control of solid waste management and siting, and support strong host agreements before permits are issued by the state.
• We will work to strengthen and enforce ethics codes for elected and appointed officials.
• We will work to expose connections between money in political campaigns and governments that are non-responsive to the people.
• We support campaign spending limits and public financing of elections to reduce the amount spent on elections and the power of big money contributors.
• We will work to make state and local economic development authorities accountable to the people.
• We demand easy access and an end to the bureaucratic procedures necessary to obtain open records in Kentucky.
• We oppose the inappropriate use of police powers to address problems, the expansion and privatization of the criminal justice system, and the use of excessive force by police.
• We support equitable access to state funds for roads and public transit.
• We support local communities’ cooperation on common issues.
• We oppose closed-door meetings and decision making not open to the public.
  

We will fight to create a just economy that sustains communities, families and individuals, promotes health and protects resources for the future. Specifically:

• We will work with all interested parties, including recipients, to develop a welfare system that benefits the community as a whole, provides a safety net, helps people move forward, and treats people fairly and with dignity.
• We will work for an economic development process that is open, sustainable, and sees that companies receiving public money for job creation provide training, safe working conditions, health benefits and a living wage.
• We demand an end to utility shutoffs due to inability to pay, a fair and reasonable franchise fee from utilities where applicable. We support energy conservation programs, the implementation of percentage of income payment plans and fair access to utility services including local gas hookups.
• We support the development of energy conservation programs and efficient and renewable energy sources.
• We support effective and efficient community services through an equitable, fair and progressive tax structure, including the continued collection and return of coal severance taxes to the coal regions and fair taxation of unmined minerals.
• We call for a system of high quality public education, including higher education, that is accessible and affordable for all Kentuckians.
• We support economic reform through the use and support of sustainable agriculture.
• We demand quality, affordable and preventative health care for all Kentuckians, and support a single payer health care system.
• We support a comprehensive approach — and investments — that recognize good health is determined by a wide range of social and economic factors such as education, social welfare, housing, income, and environmental conditions, as well as traditional health factors.
• We support the right to a living wage for all Kentuckians.
• We oppose exploitation of labor and unjust international trade programs and demand an end to the use and sale of sweatshop-made products.
  
• We demand an end to the use and sale of sweatshop-made apparel at Kentucky’s colleges and universities, ensured by independent monitoring of factories.
• We call for a new system for the transportation of coal that makes possible better pay for truckers, shared company accountability for safety violations and road damage, safe roads and safe mining communities, and reduced weight limits for coal trucks.
• We support the right of workers to organize and the right to collective bargaining.
  

We will fight to create a fair and just society that respects human and civil rights, uplifts all people to their potential, and values the participation of everyone. Specifically:

• We support affirmative action programs that guarantee equal rights for all people.
• We oppose all forms of racism and work to eliminate it from our society and from within our organization.
• We condemn and oppose oppression and harassment of all people by public or private individuals or institutions based on ability, age, gender, national origin, citizenship, race, religion, sexual identity, socio-economic status, immigration status, or any other defining characteristic.
• We will work toward a more fair justice system not mired in discrimination based on ability, age, gender, national origin, citizenship, race, religion, sexual identity, socio-economic status, immigration status, or any other defining characteristic.

of KFTC Platform