The high court on Thursday ruled the Legislature can restrain the Board of Governors or even set tuition rates itself. The case, Graham versus Haridopolos, had posed a key question about the board's power.
Former U.S. Senator Bob Graham had argued the board could set tuition rates without interference from lawmakers.Justice Barbara Pariente wrote the majority opinion - that the Legislature's right to control how state money is spent is tied to its right to raise money to pay for those expenses.
That includes tuition. The ruling comes amid a renewed focus on tuition, as Governor Rick Scott tries to lower the cost of higher education.