Florida Justices Say Legislature Can Set Tuition

TALLAHASSEE Fla. — The Florida Supreme Court says the Legislature rather than the Board of Governors has the authority to set tuition rates at state universities.

The seven justices were unanimous Thursday in affirming an appellate court ruling that previously reached the same conclusion.

The decision was a defeat for former Gov. Bob Graham and others who filed a lawsuit contending a state constitutional amendment creating the board also gave it tuition-setting authority.

Graham, also a former U.S. senator, led a petition drive that put the amendment on the ballot after the Legislature abolished another panel that previously had overseen the State University System. Voters approved it in 2002.

The justices said nothing in the amendment, though, indicates it was transferring the “quintessentially legislative power” to set tuition rates to the new board.