Gov. Matt Bevin on Thursday called the Kentucky Supreme Court's pension ruling "an unprecedented power grab by activist judges."

The high court unanimously struck down the pension reform law, known as Senate Bill 151, passed by the 2018 General Assembly.

The court said Republican's speedy process to convert a sewer bill into a 291-page pension reform bill and zip it into law violated a provision within the Kentucky Constitution intended to assure that lawmakers have the "fair opportunity" to consider a bill before voting on it.

Teachers stormed the Capitol and protested in response to the surprise hits to their pensions.

Must-read:What does the Kentucky pension reform ruling mean for teachers?

Bevin held a press conference Thursday to discuss the ruling. Here are five notable highlights:

Pension ruling is a 'sad day'

"This is a sad day for Kentucky," Bevin said. "It's a sad day for anybody who hopes to retire after years of government employment. It's a sad day for the rule of law. It's just a sad day."

Bevin said Thursday that fixing Kentucky's pensions was his main campaign promise. That fell short with the Supreme Court ruling.

The Republican governor said he is concerned that this will set back legislative fixes on the pension system as it continues to accumulate more and more debt.

Bevin points the finger at Beshear and Adkins

So far, Bevin has two challengers for the governor's race in 2019: Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear and Democratic House leader Rocky Adkins. Both Beshear and Adkins have criticized Bevin's pension fix during their campaigns.

On Thursday, Adkins called it a "huge victory" and Beshear said it was a "landmark win."

Bevin wasn't having it, despite the ramifications to his re-election.

"This is how they view this, it is through a political prism," Bevin said. "That is the absolute wrong way to look at this ... I don't give a rip about the consequences politically at this point."

Bevin says pension delay is 'screwing Kentucky'

"The most important thing for people to understand: This problem still exists," Bevin said. "There's no cause for celebration. It may, in someone's estimation, help them politically, but it's screwing Kentucky."

Bevin says bill wouldn't have saved the pensions

"It doesn't fix the problem, it stops the bleeding. It stops the lies ... we would stop giving those false promises and lies to people" Bevin said.

Bevin has said previously that he does not want to turn to gambling and has not suggested a new pension plan. He pointed to the failed Senate Bill 151 as an example of something that can be looked at again.

Bevin on 2019 legislative plans

"I want to see the pension system saved," Bevin said. "It's broken, it's done, it's gone. It will not be fixed based on a continuation of the path we're on."

So far, there have been no new proposals for a pension bill, but both Beshear and Bevin have said it should be the highlight of the next legislative session. The session begins on Jan. 8 with four organizational days, before resuming on Feb. 5.

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Background: Kentucky Supreme Court strikes down pension reform law

More reaction:Pension ruling hands victory to Andy Beshear over Gov. Matt Bevin

Governor's full statement