TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The Florida Supreme Court has heard oral argument in a dispute over whether the Board of Governors or the Legislature can set tuition rates at the state’s 12 public universities.

Former Gov. Bob Graham was on hand for the hearing Thursday.

Graham, also a former U.S. senator, and other plaintiffs contend a 2002 state constitutional amendment creating the board to oversee Florida’s public 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.