July 5, 2010. Any decision on Bob Graham-led challenge to state legislature will likely be appealed.

By BILL KACZOR

The Associated Press

Posted: 10:54 a.m. Friday, July 2, 2010

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After three years of legal wrangling, it’s now up to a judge to decide whether the Florida Legislature or Board of Governors has the final say over setting tuition and other governance issues at the state’s 11 public universities.

Lawyers for the Legislature and a group led by former Gov. and ex-U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, who led a citizen initiative that created the board, filed their final written arguments Friday with Chief Circuit Judge Charles Francis in Tallahassee.

Robin Gibson, a lawyer for the Graham group, said Francis has promised a prompt decision. Gibson, though, acknowledged the issue likely will be appealed no matter how the judge rules and eventually will reach the Florida Supreme Court.

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