FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A Kentucky judge has ruled Republican Gov. Matt Bevin can cut the budgets of public colleges and universities without the approval of the state legislature.
Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate says two state laws allow Bevin to reduce allotments for public colleges and universities. Wingate ruled while the governor's powers are usually confined to the state constitution, the legislature can give the governor additional powers by passing laws. He said Bevin's cuts of nearly $18 million to colleges and universities this year are not improper.
Bevin proposed the cuts in January. The state legislature did not approve them. Bevin ordered the cuts anyway. Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear sued him.
Wingate ordered Bevin to leave the $18 million alone until the case has been resolved.
In a campus-wide email about the ruling, Eastern Kentucky University President Michael Benson said the school’s Board of Regents will meet next week to review options of how EKU can meet the mandated cuts it may face.
