Lawsuit against KY Governor Andy Beshear underway from former Board of Education members

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Members of the Kentucky Board of Education who were removed from office by an executive order from Gov. Andy Beshear announced a new partnership with the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions in order to take legal action to address their removal from the board.

Attorneys for the board members and the Bluegrass Institute have withdrawn the board members’ original Circuit Court lawsuit against the governor and filed a case in federal court.

Bluegrass Institute president and CEO Jim Waters said the organization supports the board members’ lawsuit because Beshear’s actions set a quote terrible precedent.

Unlike board reorganizations during previous administrations, these members were removed before their terms expired and without cause, both of which violate KRS 63.

Houchens and Waters called on the Kentucky General Assembly to consider statutory changes that would clarify what powers the governor has relative to the Kentucky Board of Education.

Houchens says their term would have ended in April of 2022, and is hoping to reclaim his seat until that date.