02:57 PM EDT on Sunday, October 3, 2004

By Tony Hyatt/ WHAS 11 News

Frankfort -- On Monday, Governor Ernie Fletcher is expected to formally call a special session in an effort to resolve concerns over the increased costs of health care for state employees.

This past week, leaders of the Democratic House and the Republican Senate have pledged to put aside partisan politics in an effort to get control of the problem.

Closely watching what the Governor and lawmakers do, are teachers and state employees.

Last Monday, a series of protest rallies held in Frankfort, Louisville, Elizabethtown and Northern Kentucky saw large turnouts of not only teachers but others who say the Governor's proposed plan for health care next year is too costly.

The Kentucky Education Association has called for a teacher strike October 27th if nothing is done.

While teachers have been at the forefront of concerns over the plan other groups have been deciding how to act in the event the plan goes into effect.

On Saturday, about 75 delegates from the Kentucky Association of State Employees and Groups representing state employees and the American Federation of Teachers met in Lexington. The delegates at that meeting voted to authorize their leaders to take whatever action is necessary in response to the health insurance problem.

The head of the KASE, Charles Wells says he does no tbelieve state employees will strike but some have indicated they may take personal days to back teacher sup if they should happen to go on strike.

After the Governor makes the call the Special Session is set to start on Tuesday.