FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 22, 2016) — After controversy over Gov. Matt Bevin’s decision to cut funding to the state’s colleges and universities by 4.5% through the end of the fiscal year in June, it was announced Wednesday that those cuts will be rolled back slightly.
Bevin released more than $23 million in state funding, which he had previously taken through cuts, to the state’s higher education institutions Wednesday just one day before the Democratic Attorney General planned to take him to court over his authority to cut spending without legislative approval, according to Associated Press reporter Adam Beam.
The decision to roll back the 4.5% cuts, which totaled a cut in state spending of $41 million for colleges and universities through June 30, came as a result of a compromise between the governor, legislative leaders and university presidents according to Bevin spokeswoman Jessica Ditto.
With the restored funding, the state’s postsecondary institutions will now experience what amounts to a 2% cut through the end of the fiscal year in June.
Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear sued Bevin over the cuts when they were originally ordered, arguing that the cuts were illegal. A hearing on the case is still scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday.
Because of the agreements made by legislative leaders on the state’s next two-year budget, colleges and universities will see a 4.5% cut again beginning July 1.
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