Florida Supreme Court Takes Up College Tuition Rates
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – Who has the authority to set tuition rates at Florida's 12 public universities – the Legislature or the Board of Governors?
On Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the matter.
The case going before the justices is the result of a lawsuit filed by former Gov. Bob Graham and others. They contend a 2002 state constitutional amendment creating the board to oversee the universities includes tuition-setting power.
Two lower courts disagreed, ruling that authority belongs to the Legislature.
The board at one point joined the lawsuit but withdrew after reaching a compromise with lawmakers.
They agreed the Legislature could raise tuition across-the-board while the board could approve additional increases for individual universities. The combined increases, though, cannot exceed 15 percent in a given year.
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