FRANKFORT, Ky. ― Kentucky’s governor cannot take money from colleges and universities, but he can order them not to spend all of it, a state judge ruled Wednesday.
The ruling from Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate is the latest development in a monthslong feud between Republican Gov. Matt Bevin and Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear, son of Bevin’s predecessor, Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.
Wingate ruled two state laws give Bevin the authority to reduce the allotments to public colleges and universities without the approval of the state legislature. Andy Beshear had sued to stop Bevin’s cuts, arguing only the state legislature has the power to appropriate money.
But Wingate disagreed, saying Bevin did not change how much money colleges received; he just ordered them not to spend all of it.
“The Court simply cannot endorse the position advanced by the Attorney General and the Intervening State Representatives that all appropriated funds must be spent,” Wingate wrote. “This position is both an irresponsible one and an unsustainable one for a government to take.”
Beshear said he would appeal the ruling immediately, saying it “confers dangerous levels of power on the governor.” Bevin said he was grateful for the ruling, calling Beshear’s lawsuit a “politically motivated” attack.
Meanwhile, Northern Kentucky University on Wednesday announced it would eliminate 105 jobs, including 35 faculty positions, to compensate for declining revenue. It attributed the decline to the rising pension costs, declining enrollment and Bevin’s cuts.
