Kentucky attorney general sues governor over education cuts

Source: Associated Press

Kentucky attorney general sues governor over education cuts

Bruce Schreiner and Adam Beam, Associated Press

Updated 4:55 pm, Monday, April 11, 2016

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky's Democratic attorney general sued the state's Republican governor on Monday, arguing he overstepped his authority when he ordered budget cuts for state colleges and universities without the approval of the state legislature.

Attorney General Andy Beshear, the son of a former governor, followed through on his threat to file a lawsuit challenging Bevin's "blatant violations" of law by unilaterally cutting 4.5 percent, or $41 million, from the state's colleges and universities in the last three months of the fiscal year.

"I do not take any joy or satisfaction out of this action," Beshear said at a state Capitol news conference. "Over the last seven days, it was my hope that the governor would listen to reason, comply with the law and rescind his order. He did not."

Beshear said his suit filed in Franklin County Circuit Court was an answer to Bevin's "unconstitutional and illegal order." He wants a judge to force the governor to release the funds to the schools. Beshear is requesting expedited court review.



Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Kentucky-attorney-general-sues-governor-over-7241645.php