Kentucky’s highest court is preparing to weigh in on the governor’s power to abolish and replace boards of trustees at public universities.
The Kentucky Supreme Court has set an August 18th hearing date in the suit filed last year by Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear.
Beshear launched the legal challenge after Gov. Matt Bevin dismantled and reformed the University of Louisville Board of Trustees, telling reporters he saw a theme developing in Bevin’s executive orders.
"They continue an unmistakable pattern of reorganizations that occur right before major decisions need to be made," the top law enforcement official said, "so apparently the governor can control those decisions, not the board."
But Bevin has pushed back, pointing out that Beshear’s father, former Gov. Steve Beshear, issued more than 100 executive orders dealing with state boards. In response, the governor told a news conference, "I have absolute authority — both constitutionally and legislatively, statutorily — to disband any board in this state."
The Supreme Court signal comes despite a General Assembly-approved law adding more legal weight to Bevin's order in January.
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