A state judge ruled in favor of the University’s Board of Supervisors Tuesday in the lawsuit brought against the Board by University law student Donald Hodge.
District Judge William Morvant rejected Hodge’s claim that the Board of Supervisors violated the Louisiana constitution by approving a football ticket increase without the approval of the state Legislature.
On Monday, Morvant combined Hodge’s lawsuit with a lawsuit filed by the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority against all Louisiana taxpayers seeking to validate the funding methods for the proposed expansion of Tiger Stadium.
Morvant approved the funding plan Tuesday.
Ray Lamonica, general counsel for the University, said the Board was pleased with the ruling.
Lamonica had no other comment on the case.
In his petition, Hodge argued that the board contradicted the state constitution and “exceeded its authority in approving a new fee for the privilege to purchase tickets.”
In an e-mail, Hodge said he would continue with his argument.
“While I am disappointed in the ruling by the district court, I am hopeful that the First Circuit Court of Appeal will correct the district court’s misinterpretation of our state’s constitution,” Hodge said.