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Clinton Joins The Fray In Kentucky Education Fight

Associated Press

The increasingly heated debate over Gov. Matt Bevin’s mid-year education cuts has a new, high-profile player: Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton.

It’s the second time in as many months that the former Secretary of State has zeroed in on topics on Kentucky’s radar. During a CNN town hall in March, Clinton struck a nerve when discussing her plans for investing in renewable energy in coal country, adding, "...because we're going to put a lot of coal companies and coal miners out of business... and we're going to make it clear that we don't want to forget those people."

The Democratic frontrunner ended the answer by touting her strategies for investing in poor communities, but Republicans quickly seized on the first half of the statement – promising not to let Clinton continue the “war on coal.”

Monday, the presidential candidate’s campaign released a statement likely to play much better with conservative Democrats in the commonwealth. In it, the campaign attacked Gov. Bevin’s 4.5 percent current year cuts to universities as “shortsighted,” “wrong,” and possibly “illegal.” The comments echo sentiments expressed by Attorney General Andy Beshear Monday, when he announced his decision to file suit against the administration.

Bevin is adamant the cuts are needed to rescue a struggling pension system in danger of collapse, but Beshear maintains the action is beyond the scope of the governor's powers.

Kentucky Democrats go to the polls to select a presidential nominee on May 7.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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