KFTC members and staff waiting for a meeting with legislators

On Wednesday around twenty KFTC members came together in Frankfort to for our first lobby day and training of the 2012 legislative session. As is usually the case when we lobby, yesterday's group of members came from many different parts of the state and represented a range of issues, but they were all there to work for the common purpose of bringing the voices of everyday Kentuckians to the capitol.

We have four pieces of priority legislation that we will be advocating for this year: the Clean Energy Opportunity Act, a bill that will expand affordable, clean energy access for Kentuckians while creating homegrown clean energy jobs; the Restoration of Voting Rights Amendment, which will return the right to vote to over 123,000 former felons who have served their debt to society; the Kentucky Forward bill, which seeks to adequately fund essential state services while making our tax system more fair for low and middle income Kentuckians; and the Stream Saver Bill, which seeks to protect our headwater steams from the ravages of mountaintop removal and other forms of surface mining. Beyond our own priority bills, there will be many other big pieces of legislation (the budget and redistricting to name two) that will need input from people like you.

In order to make our voices heard in Frankfort we need a visible and regular grassroots presence at the state capitol. We ask all members who are able to consider spending one or more days lobbying with other KFTC members in Frankfort. It’s a great experience. Besides the big rallies and lobby days (see calendar below) we’ll have a KFTC presence at the General Assembly most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Our lobby day usually starts by 9 a.m. and ends shortly after lawmakers go into session at 2 p.m.

If you are interested in lobbying with KFTC, check with your chapter organizer for days when a group will be going from your community. If coming from other areas or on your own, please let Lisa Abbott know you are coming so we can expect you — lisa@kftc.org or 859-200-5159. Bring others with you.

If you can’t make it to Frankfort, there is lots you can do at home to support the legislative efforts. You’ll get action alerts from KFTC when phone calls and emails to legislators are needed. There’ll be at-home meetings with legislators and other ways to be involved. Use the Legislative Message Line — 800-372-7181 — any time you want to leave a message for your representative or senator. The toll-free service is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, and until 6 p.m. on Fridays while the legislature is in session.

If you want to email a legislator, go to this page to find the legislator you want to contact.

Important dates for the 2012 General Assembly.

January 9 - Citizen lobbyist training in Lexington

January 16 - Legislative holiday: Martin Luther King Day

January 18 — Economic Justice Lobby Day

January 19 - Clean Energy Opportunity Act Webinar (at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.)

January 31 — Candidate filing deadline for 2012 legislative and other races

February 14 — I Love Mountains Day (click to register)

February 20 — Legislative holiday: Presidents Day

February 28 - Clean Energy Lobby Day, sponsored by KFTC and allies

March 8 (Tentative) — Voting Rights Lobby Day, sponsored by KFTC and allies

March 23 — Last regular legislative day before two-week recess

April 9 — Legislators consider any vetoes, address unfinished business and adjourn