Beshear may call special session to approve Harley incentives

By Beth Musgrave - bmusgrave@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Gov. Steve Beshear is leaving open the possibility of a special legislative session in coming weeks to approve economic incentives for a possible Harley-Davidson plant in Shelbyville.

Harley-Davidson officials said last week that the Shelbyville location is the only one it's considering if it relocates its York, Pa. plant.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development has remained mum on what type of incentives the state is considering to lure the plant to Kentucky. The York plant employs 2,500. Harley-Davidson has also said it might stay in Pennsylvania.

The Kentucky Gazette, a Frankfort political publication, said on its Web site Thursday that Senate leaders have been told by Beshear that he might call a special legislative session the week of Dec. 13, just a few weeks before a regular legislative session begins Jan. 5.

Beshear's office would not confirm whether Beshear would call a special session, but Beshear said Thursday that economic incentives for Harley-Davidson would be the only item on the agenda if a special session is called.

"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."