Thread: CO - Romer pulls reins on immigrant-tuition bill

Romer pulls reins on immigrant-tuition bill
By Tim Hoover
The Denver Post
Posted: 03/11/2009 01:46:50 PM MDT
Updated: 03/11/2009 02:11:57 PM MDT


The sponsor of a bill to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition says the legislation won't move forward until it becomes clear whether Congress is taking similar action nationally.

Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, said he wanted to see the latest draft of the so-called DREAM Act, which would give illegal immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children and who graduated from an American high school the opportunity to become permanent residents if they go to college or serve in the military.

Romer's bill, SB 170, would allow illegal immigrants who have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years and who have graduated to receive the in-state tuition rate at public colleges and universities. Out-of-state tuition can often be two to four times as much as the in-state rate.

A Senate education committee approved the bill after a contentious hearing, but Romer's bill hasn't hit the floor of the Senate chamber yet. He only got a House sponsor for the bill this week.

But Romer said the bill will remain in a holding pattern until Congress introduces the latest version of the DREAM Act. Similar measures have failed in Congress in the past.

"It's critical we make sure our legislation conforms to the federal legislation," he said.

Romer expected the measure to be introduced in Congress by the end of the month.

Romer said he was confident he had 20 Democratic votes in the Senate, one less than the full Democratic majority.

"I've only had one Democrat tell me they're a no vote," he said, declining to name the senator.

Tim Hoover: thoover@denverpost.com

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11888274

"I've only had one Democrat tell me they're a no vote," he said, declining to name the senator.........

I sure hope Coleman can hold on in Minnesota.