FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - The Latest on a Kentucky Supreme Court hearing pitting the Republic governor against the state’s Democratic attorney general (all times local):
11:55 a.m.
Kentucky’s Democratic Attorney General says public universities could have problems with their accreditation if the state’s highest court does not rule in his favor.
Andy Beshear argued before the state Supreme Court on Friday that it was illegal for Republican Gov. Matt Bevin to abolish and replace the University of Louisville’s board of trustees with an executive order last year. If the court upholds the order, Beshear said the state’s public universities won’t be free from the type of political influence that most accrediting bodies require.
Bevin’s attorney Steve Pitt called that argument “poppycock.” He asked the court to dismiss the case because the state legislature has passed a law replacing the university’s board. He said the governor’s order is not in effect and there is no need for the court to issue a ruling.
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4:19 a.m.
A ruling from Kentucky’s Supreme Court isn’t likely to change the University of Louisville’s new board of trustees, but it could affect the future of the state’s top political rivals.
Kentucky’s highest court is scheduled to hear arguments Friday about whether it was legal for Republican Gov. Matt Bevin to abolish and replace the University of Louisville’s board of trustees by executive order last summer.
Since Bevin’s order, voters elected a Republican majority in the state legislature, which then quickly passed a law to replace the university’s board.
Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear wants the court to declare Bevin’s actions illegal. If he wins, it could bolster his potential candidacy for governor. If Bevin wins, it could strengthen his argument that Beshear has filed frivolous lawsuits against him.
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