Opinions

To the Editor: After 14 years working at Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center, it is my honor and privilege to step into the role of Director. Throughout my time at ACLC, it has been meaningful to work in an area of law so closely linked to my family and community. I come from a family of coalminers, and I grew up […]

“Liberal.” “Activist.” The Supreme Court of Kentucky? Nothing could be more ridiculous than calling an elected court in a state that voted overwhelmingly for the past three Republican presidential candidates “liberal” and “activist.” It would be even more ludicrous if those statements were made by the governor and the majority leader of the state Senate. Wait a minute — they […]

Called back into session after a stinging loss at the Supreme Court, Kentucky’s Republicandominated legislature decided to go home on Tuesday without passing a replacement pension law despite warnings of financial ruin by the state’s GOP governor. Kentucky has one of the worst-funded pension systems in the country, as state officials are at least $38 billion short of the money […]

1948, Lackland Air Base, Texas I was 19 years old, had four years service, I was put in charge of the base printing department. Others were there longer than I. Our boss was a non printer. The Office of Special Investigations called me to report to their office. They were like secret police and wore civilian clothes. I knew all […]

With the incidence of black lung disease among coal miners again on the rise, now is not the time to put benefits that help miners with the disease in jeopardy. But if Congress doesn’t act by the end of the year, which is fast approaching, the extent of those benefits could drop sharply. The issue has to do with the […]