House Democrats weigh options for energy session

FRANKFORT —The Democratic-controlled House has the option of meeting and adjourning immediately if Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher follows through on his plan to call a special session next week on energy incentives, House Speaker Jody Richards said today.

But Richards, D-Bowling Green, quickly added that he does not know for sure what action the House will take because the governor has not yet officially issued the call and outlined what issues will be on it. He said House leaders are looking at several options.

“We are trying to figure out if the governor sees this as an emergency for his re-election or if there’s a reason here that rises to the level of an extraordinary session,” Richards said.

Robbie Rudolph, Fletcher’s cabinet secretary and running mate, later said the governor will call a special session “very soon” to begin July 5 “for economic development in Kentucky” in trying to attract a $3 billion coal conversion plant to the state. He said no decision has yet been made on what other issues, if any, will be on the call.

Kentucky is competing against Indiana and Illinois to land a Peabody Energy synthetic gas plant, “and it’s important we show our interest in it through the special session,” Rudolph said.

“I’d be very disappointed if the House did not take this up and we would miss a chance at this economic development,” Rudolph said.

Rudolph also dismissed comments that the governor is calling the session to help his fall race for re-election against Democrat Steve Beshear.

Richards and other key House Democrats had harsh words for the governor yesterday during an “informational meeting” called by Richards for House members.

They said the issue of energy incentives can wait until January’s regular session and that a special session would cost taxpayers about $60,000 a day. They also said it is inconsiderate of the governor not to have yet made public his plans for a special session.

--Jack Brammer

Comments

C'mon Robbie, if you weren't 15-20 points behind in the polls, would you really want to call a session?

We stopped buying what your administration is selling long ago. In fact, I want my money back.

Hey, I got my money back!!

[foolio]

Did the legislature pay themselves anything for this "informational meeting"? How much did taxpayers pay for that circus?

These clowns should work the same amount of days as the rest of us.

I could care less "why" the gov wants to call a special session. I'm just glad these lazy loafers are going to work. These elected people don't vote the way their constituents want them to. They all make more $$$ than those of us who work the whole year. I say, make them work too.

Why would any of us tax payers care that our elected officials have to come back from the Rivera and do the job they were elected to do ... WORK.

Why doesn't Steve Beshear use this special session to vote on the Amendment he is writing to change the unconstitutional gaming he is touting as his only means to supply the state with money for health care & education?

Beshear isn't afraid he'd have a tough time convincing his democratic friends to vote on that Amendment in this special session, is he? What a perfect opportunity for Beshear to get the Ky. Constitution changed BEFORE the election so he can stop running on his current fantasy plan.

Umm... or is Beshear just making all this up about gaming? Naw, Beshear wouldn't do that, he wouldn't 'make up' a plan to realize money for the state. Maybe Beshear KNOWS that he doesn't stand a chance in changing the ky. constitution and it's just easier to keep telling the voters how he'll raise all this $$$ and keep it secret to the common man that his plan is UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

Beshear .... what a schemer.

I wish one journalist in this state would ask Beshear how he plans to pay for all his 'plans' IF gaming remains unconstitutional.

That sure would be a logical and legitimate question to ask of a man running for governor whose only method of making money for the state is unconstitutional.

10:50 - Obviously you are real tuned in to how Special Sessions work. First, the Governor sets the whole agenda. The legislature can only pass bills pertaining to what the governor enumerates. Second, any addition of gaming would be ruled not germaine to any bill. Spoken like a true right-winger. Spill out the talking points, and know nothing of the process. No wonder Fletcher is in trouble all the time.

10:50 - You are an idiot. Only issues addressed in the Gov's "call" can be taken up by the legislature.

10:50, asked and answered. Just because you don't like the answer doesn't negate that one has been given.

pardon me , but isn't Ernie the Gov.