FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear confirmed Thursday he is considering a special session in December if Harley-Davidson decides to move a York, Pa., motorcyble facility to Shelbyville.
The story was first reported by The Kentucky Gazette which quoted Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, and Minority Leader Ed Worley, D-Richmond, saying Beshear had told them to clear their calendars for a possible session in the second week of December.
Worley confirmed to CNHI News Service Thursday afternoon the possibility of a special session if the motorcycle facility moves to Kentucky. He and Beshear both said a special session isn’t connected with Beshear’s call to pass legislation authorizing video lottery terminals at horse tracks.
Williams’ spokeswoman, Lourdes Baez-Schrader confirmed Williams said Beshear told him he could call the December session. House Speaker Greg Stumbo, D-Prestonsburg, is in China on a trade mission trip with the Association of State Legislative Leaders. His spokesman, Brian Wilkerson, said he could not say if Stumbo knew of the possible special session.
The timing places the session less than a week after a special
election in the 14th Senate Disrict, which will probably turn on the question of allowing video lottery terminals at horse tracks, Beshear’s signature issue. The governor appointed Republican Dan Kelly to a vacant circuit judge’s position to create the vacancy and Democrat Jody Haydon of Bardstown and Republican Jimmie Higdon of Lebanon are running for the Senate seat.
There will also be a special election in Carter and Lewis counties to fill the 96th District House seat vacated when Robin Webb, D-Grayson, was elected to the 18th District Senate seat.
Beshear seemed to rule out placing the gambling issue on the agenda of the special session — if it occurs at all.
“We are very excited about the potential opportunity for Harley-Davidson to locate a facility in the commonwealth,” Beshear said. “We are making plans related to this project and don’t know if there will be a need for a special session at this juncture. However, if there is a need for any kind of economic development project to be addressed by a special session, it would certainly be the only item on the agenda.”
When asked if that specifically excluded placing gambling on the agenda of a special session, his spokeswoman Kerri Richardson said, “Yes.”
Beshear last week said the approval of four casinos in neighboring Ohio intensifies the need for lawmakers to pass his proposal for slots at the race tracks “this winter.”
The slots proposal is vigorously opposed by Williams — which might explain why he divulged the possible special session on an economic development issue to the Gazette.
Harley-Davidson has said it is considering Shelbyville as a location for its manufacturing operation, presently based in York, Pa., and a retail outlet. The Kentucky Gazette story quoted Worley as saying the Harley-Davidson board could make a decision on whether to re-locate in early December.
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