Bevin's Fuck You to Higher Education

Because all kids learn in real colleges and universities is critical thinking, which leads to liberalism and voting Democratic.  Can't have that.

Adam Beam, AP:

As Kentucky inches toward a budget crisis over college funding, Republican Gov. Matt Bevin on Thursday ordered immediate 4.5 percent cuts for all public colleges and universities.

In a letter to Finance Secretary William Landrum and Budget Director John Chilton, Bevin ordered the allotments for Kentucky's eight public universities and its community and technical college system to be reduced by 4.5 percent "before the close of business" Thursday. The cuts would impact state funding for the colleges and universities in the current budget year that ends June 30.

Bevin's order comes as state lawmakers are locked in a stalemate over a two-year state spending plan. Senate Republicans have insisted on taking money from colleges and universities and spending it on the state's public pension debt, estimated at more than $30 billion. House Democrats have refused to agree to any cuts in education.

The two sides broke off negotiations Thursday, making it less likely the legislature will pass a budget by April 12. That could lead to a partial shutdown of state government.

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Brian Wilkerson, spokesman for Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo, said House Democrats were just made aware of the letter Thursday afternoon.

"Our legal team is reviewing the order at this point," he said.

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University of Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton said university officials have not been officially notified of the cuts. University President Eli Capilouto has been one of the most vocal critics of Bevin's proposed cuts, calling them "draconian."

"Gov. Bevin announced this measure in January, so we anticipated it," Blanton said. "We will be working over the next few months to implement this reduction with the context of our current-year budget. It is too early to speculate on the specific measures we will take."

University of Louisville spokesman John Karmen said the school is still examining the impact any budget cuts would have on the school.

Other schools have already taken action to address the cuts. Morehead State University officials announced a mandatory, unpaid five-day furlough for all employees in response to the cuts.

 Bevin's conservatard austerity already killing jobs.