The Kentucky Supreme Court will decide whether Republican Gov. Matt Bevin can cut the budgets of state colleges and universities.
The court has agreed to hear the case, bypassing the state Court of Appeals, and set a hearing date for Aug. 18.
Bevin reduced allotments to state colleges and universities by nearly $18 million without the approval of the state legislature. Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear sued him, saying Bevin overstepped his authority. A state judge sided with Bevin last month.
Beshear appealed that decision. Normally the case would first go to the state Court of Appeals. But Beshear asked the Supreme Court to hear the case and skip the appeals court process. Bevin opposed Beshear's request, saying the case was not of "great and immediate public importance."
Monday, the court granted Beshear's request. On Monday afternoon AG Beshear's office released the following statement:
“Today’s ruling will ensure Kentucky’s students and their families a quick and final decision concerning what I believe to be illegal and unconstitutional cuts to higher education. It is my hope that, if we prevail, the funds will be used to offset the increases in tuition that schools are passing to deal with Gov. Bevin’s massive education cuts.”
