Page "Ernie Fletcher" Paragraph 43

In the midst of the primary campaign, the 2007 General Assembly convened.

Among the accomplishments of the session were raising the state's minimum wage to $ 7. 25 per hour, increasing the speed limit on major state highways to, and implementing new safety requirements for social workers and coal miners.

Additional legislation stalled after negotiations over how to make the state's retirement system solvent reached an impasse.

Fletcher indicated that he would consider calling the Assembly into special session later in the year.

In July, Fletcher called the session and included 67 items on its agenda.

Democrats in the state House of Representatives maintained that none of the items were urgent enough to warrant a special session.

They claimed the call was an attempt by Fletcher to boost his sagging poll numbers against Beshear, and the House adjourned after only 90 minutes without acting on any of Fletcher's agenda.

Fletcher denied the claims and insisted that a tax incentive program was needed immediately to keep the state in the running for a proposed coal gasification plant to be built by Peabody Energy.

After negotiating with legislators, Fletcher called another session for August ; the session included only the tax incentive program, which the Assembly passed.