Supreme Court to hear case on higher ed cuts
Three lawmakers who are suing Governor Matt Bevin to block cuts to higher education today expressed relief that the Kentucky Supreme Court granted emergency review of the case.
The lawmakers – Rep Jim Wayne, Mary Lou Marzian and Darryl Owens, all of Louisville – have joined with Attorney General Andy Beshear to contend that the Governor violated the Kentucky Constitution by reducing education funding that was approved by the General Assembly in the state budget.
“Our Constitution assigns us the duty to use tax dollars where they are most needed,” Rep. Wayne said. “The stroke of one man’s pen can’t change this. I am pleased that the Court is taking this case up.”
Rep Owens agreed: “We hold hearings for citizens to speak out on the wise use of tax dollars. The Governor owes respect to the budget process,” he said.
Rep Marzian added: “As representatives, we are closer to the people we serve than any other state official. The people’s voice is heard in the budget, and I am proud to defend it. We look forward to presenting our case to the Supreme Court.
The Kentucky Supreme Court has ordered oral arguments on the case for August 18th.
Kenton County lease with Davey Golf
At the June 27th Kenton County Fiscal Court Meeting, the Fiscal Court voted to approve the lease agreement with Davey Golf with an effective start date of July 1.
“I am encouraged by the changes that Davey Golf has implemented thus far under the consulting agreement and I am looking forward to seeing more changes and a better golf and customer experience as we move forward,” said Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann.
Fiscal Court had previously agreed to enter into a consulting agreement with Davey Golf while final details of the contract were being discussed and decided.
As part of their investment to the Golf Courses, Davey Golf has brought over $1 million in maintenance equipment and golf carts. With a background in landscaping, the company is making improvements and focusing on the natural elements of the courses.
Davey Golf is a branch of the Davey Tree Expert Company, which was founded in 1880. They are headquartered in Kent, Ohio and have over 8,500 employees in the U.S. and Canada with a wide range of skills and knowledge.
Volkswagen settlement may reach $100m for Kentuckians
Attorney General Andy Beshear announced his office agreed to settle a lawsuit brought against Volkswagen, potentially resulting in $100 million for impacted Kentuckians and the Commonwealth.
In March, Beshear filed a lawsuit claiming Volkswagen, and its connected brands Audi and Porsche, willfully violated Kentucky’s Consumer Protection Act.
Beshear’s suit alleged the automaker deliberately mislead Kentucky consumers by installing rigged software on their Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI®) diesel-engine automobiles in order to cheat emissions tests and claimed the cars had “clean diesel” technology.
Under the terms of the consumer restitution package, nearly 3,200 TDI owners in Kentucky will receive payments of at least $5,100 and a choice between a buyback of the vehicle, based on the pre-scandal value, or a modification to reduce emissions. Regulators must approve the modification, which Volkswagen is currently working to develop.
Beshear says the Commonwealth is eligible for more than $19 million in environmental damages from an Environmental Mitigation Trust funded by Volkswagen.
Volkswagen has agreed to pay the Commonwealth nearly $3.5 million in civil penalties for violating the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act.
Final approval of the settlement is expected in October.
Full details of the consumer restitution program will be available online at https://www.vwcourtsettlement.com. The program is available to nearly 580,000 customers who bought or leased vehicles in the United States.