In-state tuition repeal stalls in House

By David Montero

The Salt Lake Tribune

First published 3 hours ago
Updated 7 minutes ago Updated Feb 24, 2011 08:22PM


Rep. Carl Wimmer said he expected his bill aimed at repealing in-state tuition for undocumented students to get a vote on the House floor without being changed.

So when Rep. Bill Wright offered a substitute for it Thursday and that change passed 38-36, the Herriman Republican then postponed further action on the bill — leaving its fate uncertain.

The substitute bill for HB191 would allow parents of undocumented students to show income tax returns for three years during the child’s tenure in high school and, by doing that, qualify them for in-state tuition at colleges and universities in Utah.

Wright’s change fueled more debate, required a call for division and the sergeant at arms to call in all House members to participate in the vote on the substitute. All but Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, voted.

Wright said if parents are paying taxes into the system, it made no sense to keep them from getting the in-state tuition rate.

“They should be able to obtain the fruits of their labors,â€