AG celebrates pension victory, Gov. observes “sad day” in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ)- Less than a month before it would’ve gone into effect, the Kentucky Supreme Court has struck down the controversial pension reform law teachers and other public employees protested last spring.

It’s a win for the Attorney General, one the Governor thinks is a loss for Kentucky.

The justices ruled unanimously, saying lawmakers didn’t follow the constitution when passing pension reform. The justices say the bill didn’t get three readings, as the state constitution requires, before legislators voted.

Remember, as the session came to an end, lawmakers put pension language into SB 151, formerly a sewer bill, and passed it about six hours later.

“From this day forward, the legislature has to act in the light of day and never again under the cover of night,” Attorney General Andy Beshear said.

Beshear says this is a promise kept to those who serve the state. The Kentucky Education Association and the Fraternal Order of Police sued with Beshear.

Their representatives say it’s harder to hire high quality people when those candidates worry about benefits.

“Hopefully, with this decision today, we will retain our most valuable asset, those employees,” Jerry Powell, from the FOP, said.

“We just did the right thing. It’s not any different than what we try to teach or show our students every day,” Stephanie Winkler, President of the KEA, said.

Beshear, who is running for Governor, says this isn’t about politics.

Governor Matt Bevin says it shouldn’t be, but it is for Beshear and his father, former Governor Steve Beshear.

“This problem still exists. It’s now worse than it was a few hours ago. It hasn’t gotten better. There’s no cause for celebration. It may, in someone’s estimation, help them politically, but it’s screwing Kentucky,” Bevin said.

The Governor says SB 151 would’ve been a mere band aid, but a chance to save the pension system.

“That has now been thrown out by people who were not elected to pass laws for the state, but have chosen to assume that responsibility for themselves,” Bevin said.

“Every time, the legislature says that western civilization will fall if the Supreme Court makes them follow the constitution. Well, western civilization might fall if our governments and our democracies didn’t have to follow the constitution,” Beshear said.

The Attorney General says next session he’d urge lawmakers to follow the law, while considering expanded gaming in the future as a way to ensure dedicated funding for pensions.

Bevin says he wants lawmakers to save the system with at least as much of a solution as offered last session.