The Democratic attorney general of the state of Kentucky sued its Republican governor due to the ordering of budget cuts for state colleges and universities on Monday. The cuts were said to push through without the attorney general's legislative approval.
Governor Matt Bevin (R) proposed state spending cuts of $650 million for the next two years. Aside from spending cuts, the proposal also included budget reductions for state colleges and universities for three months in the last fiscal year by $41 million or 4.5 percent. The proposal is said to come as a plan to pay the Kentucky's public pension debt, which is estimated at $30 billion.
However, state lawmakers, which include Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear, rejected the proposal. Lawmakers claim that no one approved cuts for college and universities in its budget proposal.
Despite given seven days to rescind the plan, Bevin ignored Beshear. On Monday, Beshear announced that he filed a lawsuit against Beshear saying the order was "unconstitutional and illegal."
Beshear explains in a press conference that the need for a budget to be passed by lawmakers was merely a suggestion to Bevin. His actions violated the state Constitution's separate of powers provision, according to ABC News.
The attorney general went on to say that Bevin's move was a direct challenge to the country's liberty and way of life. Bevin claimed that it's part of his job to fight against people who claim to have that kind of power.
The lawsuit was filed in Franklin County Circuit Court asking a judge to issue an injunction for Bevin to release the funds to every participating university. The attorney general also requested an expedited review by the court, according to Herald Standard.
Jessica Ditto, Bevin's spokesman said that the governor strongly disagrees to the lawsuit filed against him. Bevin's office will respond as needed in court.
Bevin and Beshear share a long-standing political feud even extending to Beshear's father, former Governor Steve Beshear (D). However, Beshear claims that the lawsuit is not political and has nothing to do with the upcoming elections. The attorney general claims that the lawsuit filed against Beshear is about the law and his duty to enforce it.
