By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-921056.mp3
FRANKFORT, Ky. – A ruling is expected this week in a lawsuit seeking to block state employee furloughs in Kentucky. Our Tony McVeigh has been poring over the most recent legal filings in the case.
Attorneys for six state employees are pursuing a temporary injunction blocking upcoming furloughs and want the case declared a class action lawsuit. They argue the state has other options for cutting costs, like trimming spending on capital projects.
But attorneys for the state say the workers who filed suit have failed to specifically show how furloughs will result in irreparable harm, or what specific class will be harmed.
The first furlough day is Friday, September 3. In total, Gov. Beshear is ordering six furlough days this fiscal year, for a savings of $24 million.
Last week, the administration announced corrections officers, state police and some mental health employees will be exempt from the furloughs because of the vital services they provide.
Arguments in the case are being heard by Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd.