Immigrant tuition break rejected by Senate panel


March 23, 2009 6:44 PM ET

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Despite an endorsement by the head of Arkansas' flagship university, a bill to grant the children of illegal immigrants in-state tuition has been rejected by a Senate committee.

University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Chancellor David Gearhart told the Senate Education Committee on Monday that he supports a bill by Sen. Joyce Elliot, D-Little Rock.

The Senate panel later rejected Elliott's proposal on a voice vote. The bill would grant in-state tuition to any student who attended high school in the state for at least three years and has a high school diploma.

Opponents of the measure told the panel that they were concerned the measure would encourage illegal immigration.

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