DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Gov. Terry Branstad that challenged his decision to close two state mental health centers this year. Polk County District Judge Douglas Staskal issued a ruling Tuesday that approved a request by state attorneys to throw out the lawsuit.

The suit was filed by the head of Iowa’s largest public employees union and 20 Democratic lawmakers. It claimed that closing the centers in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant was illegal because Iowa law requires the state to operate them.

Tuesday’s ruling says Branstad had the authority to veto financial support for such centers. Mark Hedberg, an attorney representing the lawmakers and the president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, says he will appeal the ruling to the Iowa Supreme Court.