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Ultimate Ruling on Higher Ed Funding Could Be Months Away

Kentucky Office of the Attorney General

Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear admits Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate’s decision on higher education funding did surprise him somewhat. But the AG said Thursday afternoon it’s always been a case that was headed to the Kentucky Supreme Court.

The Frankfort judge ruled Wednesday that Gov. Matt Bevin had proper authority when he reduced current year state funding for colleges and universities. Beshear says it may be a while before the case gets to the state’s highest court.

“We’re probably talking about several months," Beshear said. "My hope is that we could get it in within that period. In the past, large cases with constitutional implications have moved more quickly.”

Bevin earlier this year first ordered a 4.5 percent funding reduction for public universities. Later, after consulting with school presidents, he reduced it to a 2 percent adjustment. Attorney General Beshear has argued the governor overstepped his authority in withholding funds without legislative approval and in the absence of a revenue shortfall.

Stu Johnson is a reporter/producer at WEKU in Lexington, Kentucky.
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