Since 2008, Kentucky’s public funding has been in steady decline, threatening the institutions and programs that make life better for all Kentuckians. As a result, fewer children are receiving immunizations, state police are losing their jobs, fewer women are receiving prenatal care, and teachers’ retirement accounts are in jeopardy. The consequences seem to be endless. A simple, feasible solution was identified to restore our state’s funding to a level that would ensure a bright future for Kentuckians: tax reform.

he Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) partnered with other grassroots organizations to create a campaign around the need for tax reform. Taxes are a divisive subject, so clear and delicate communication was going to be key. MACED partnered with us to develop a complete campaign identity, from name development to website creation, and everything in between. “Kentucky Together” launched in January 2016 with messaging designed to appeal to all Kentuckians. We captured the frustrations of Kentuckians who were affected by the funding cuts, but we extended the conversation to emphasize the positive outcomes that would result from tax reform. We also created animations to break down the complexities of the issue. Our goal was to bring awareness to the issues and give folks tools when engaging with their political representatives.