House leaders and two republican senators are battling over who will get media coverage of their plans to permit gas saving, 3 wheel vehicles on Kentucky roadways. Senators Gary Tapp and Dan Seum sent out a news release July 2nd, telling reporters they'd be at Integrity Manufacturing on Wednesday July 9th for a news conference. Integrity could manufacture the three wheeled ZAP cars if state law permits.
Today, reporters got a release from the House Speaker's office saying democratic house members will be holding a news conference at Integrity tomorrow, one day before the republicans will be there. Speaker Richards' spokesman Brian Wilkerson says the event was in the planning stages before they knew about the GOP event. Here's the release from Richards' office:
House leaders, others to test drive Zap car in Bullitt Co.
Frankfort - With an eye toward shielding Kentuckians from high gas prices while planning the next phase of an already successful energy policy, Kentucky House members and Economic Cabinet officials will tour a Bullitt County manufacturer tomorrow that may literally hold the keys to both.
The 2:30 p.m. event will take place at Integrity Manufacturing, Kentucky's sole distributor for the Zap electric car. Company officials will join state Rep. Larry Belcher, D-Shepherdsville, in hosting House Speaker Jody Richards, House Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins and two Louisville legislators: Reps. Mary Lou Marzian and Joni Jenkins. The cabinet officials scheduled to attend include George Burgess, the commissioner for the Department for Existing Business Development; and Fran Carrico, who works for the Central Kentucky Economic Development Division.
"This company has understandably drawn a lot of attention in recent days, and we want to take a closer look at what it might have to offer Kentuckians wanting to escape high gas prices," said Speaker Richards, D-Bowling Green. "I'm looking forward to taking the car for a quick spin, and I want to thank Representative Belcher for inviting us."
House Majority Floor Leader Adkins, who has led the way in making Kentucky's energy policy one of the best in the nation, added that "vehicles like this promise to be the next step we will take as a state to make us energy independent. I would much rather see vehicles powered with Kentucky coal than with Middle East oil."
"This should be a true learning event," Rep. Belcher said. "I am extremely proud that a company like this in my district can play a leading role when it comes to energy independence."
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