Judge: Kentucky governor can cut college, university budgets

(AP) — Kentucky's governor cannot take money from colleges and universities, but he can order them not to spend all of it, a state judge ruled Wednesday.

Wingate ruled two state laws give Bevin the authority to reduce the allotments to public colleges and universities without the approval of the state legislature.

[...] Northern Kentucky University on Wednesday announced it would eliminate 105 jobs, including 35 faculty positions, to compensate for declining revenue.

Wingate said his ruling is "narrowly limited to the facts of this case," a key phrase since Beshear is considering suing Bevin again about budget cuts to other state agencies.

[...] John Chilton, Bevin's budget director, sent a letter to Beshear on Tuesday telling him that every other constitutionally elected officer — including Democratic Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes — have submitted plans to cut spending by 4.5 percent.

Beshear responded by pointing out his office has generated $17.5 million in settlement funds for the state since January and has returned $8 million to the state's Medicaid program.