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Battle over tuition authority heads to appeals court

Bob Graham
Bob Graham

By Lynn Hatter

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-985265.mp3

Tallahassee, FL – The case over who can set tuition for Florida's public universities is now before a state appeals court. Lynn Hatter reports the case dates back more than four years, when a former state senator sued the legislature over tuition setting authority.

The first district court of appeal heard oral arguments Wednesday in Tallahassee. A lawyer for former Governor Bob Graham says the Florida Board of Governors, which oversees the state's public universities, should have the sole ability to set tuition rates. But last year a lower court ruled in favor of the state legislature.

In the original filing Graham, joined by former Florida State University President Sandy D'Alemberte and U.S. Republican Representative Lou Frey said the constitutional amendment that created the Board of Governors, also gave it the ability to set tuition.

The Board itself was once a part of the lawsuit but dropped its challenge after reaching a deal with the legislature last year to split tuition authority.