Judge rules state road plan invalid

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville

FRANKFORT – The state’s six-year road plan from the 2008 General Assembly is invalid because the Kentucky General Assembly did not enact it within the constitutional time limit, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd, in his 16-page ruling, also said the legislature’s enactment of a six-year-road plan separate from the state budget violates state law.

The judge said Gov. Steve Beshear must follow the road construction plan he submitted to lawmakers in last year’s session and cannot make any changes to it.

Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, filed a lawsuit last May, asking the court to declare the six-year-road plan included in House Bill 79 was valid.

Williams had no immediate comment on Shepherd’s ruling.

Jill Midkiff, a spokeswoman for Beshear, said the administration is reviewing the judge’s ruling and might have a comment later.

–Jack Brammer