Kentucky Legislature Gives Governor Power to Replace U. of Louisville’s Board

The new Republican majority in the Kentucky General Assembly gave final passage on Saturday to seven fast-tracked priorities, including a bill that would replace the University of Louisville’s Board of Trustees with a new 10-member panel to be appointed by Gov. Matt Bevin, the Courier-Journal reported.

Democrats argued against the bill, saying it could keep the university’s accreditation in jeopardy. The university’s accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges, placed the institution on probation last month, citing concerns that included undue political interference in the operations of its board. Governor Bevin had sought to reorganize the board through an executive order last summer, but a state judge temporarily blocked that move after the state’s attorney general filed a lawsuit challenging its legality.

Republicans say the new bill will resolve the crisis, clearing the way for Governor Bevin appoint a new board, subject to confirmation by the Kentucky Senate.

The fast-tracked bills include a measure that will place new restrictions on abortion and “right to work” legislation that will ban union membership as a condition of employment and prohibit public employees from going on strike. Mr. Bevin said on Saturday that he would sign all seven bills into law by Monday.