U.S. | Thu Sep 22, 2016 | 6:19pm EDT

Kentucky Supreme Court blocks governor's college funding cuts

By Steve Bittenbender | LOUISVILLE, KY.

Kentucky's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that the state's Republican governor does not have the authority to cut public universities' budgets.

The 5-2 decision reinstates more than $18 million in funds to eight of Kentucky's nine public universities and its community college system, and handed a victory to the state's Democratic attorney general who has opposed the governor on several issues.

Governor Matt Bevin sought the reduction, which amounted to a 2 percent cut for each affected institution for the last quarter of fiscal 2016, to fund the state's cash-strapped pension program. He initially had sought cuts totaling $41 million, or 4.5 percent, but reduced the amount after schools complained.

However, Attorney General Andy Beshear questioned whether the governor was empowered to order the reductions unilaterally, suing in April to block them. He argued the cuts violated budget laws and the separation of powers enshrined in the state's constitution.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]