Thread: Immigrant-Tuition Bill Falling Short In House

http://www.lowellsun.com/ci_2779183

Immigrant-tuition bill falling short in House

June 4, 2005
By JULIE MEHEGAN, Sun Statehouse Bureau

BOSTON -- Legislation granting undocumented immigrants the discounted in-state tuition rate at state colleges and universities is failing to make the grade in the House.

Several House lawmakers said this week there aren't enough favorable votes in the House to withstand a promised veto of the bill by Gov. Mitt Romney, and some suggested support may even fall short of the 81-vote majority needed to pass it.

“There is not sufficient support for it. I don't think there are enough people who support the concept of it in the House,� said Rep. Thomas Golden, D-Lowell, who chairs the
committee that signs off on bills before they go to the floor for debate. Golden opposes the legislation, which was approved by the powerful House Ways and Means Committee a month ago.

But supporters insist the bill isn't dead, and continuing to lobby House lawmakers to get behind it. They estimate the legislation would affect about 400 high-performing high-school students for whom the lower in-state tuition rate offers the only chance to attend college.

A spokesman for Rep. Marie St. Fleur, D-Boston, the chief sponsor of the bill in the House, acknowledged it does not yet have the two-thirds majority to override a Romney veto, but “she's very confident that on a majority vote, this bill would pass no problem.

“Unfortunately, the bar has been raised on this bill because it's facing a veto,� said Doug Pizzi, St. Fleur's spokesman. “What's happening now is working to shore up a veto-proof majority.�

Two-thirds would have to vote in favor to override a gubernatorial veto.

Lawmakers have spent more than two years discussing whether to grant the lower in-state tuition rate to undocumented immigrants. Under the legislation now before the House, students would qualify if they have attended high school in Massachusetts for at least three years and earned their diploma from one of the state's accredited high schools.

The students must also have begun proceedings to legalize their immigration status, or, if they are under 18, sign an affidavit pledging to do so.

Supporters say providing those students with access to a college education would benefit the state's economy by preparing them for the workforce and offering a return on the state's investment in educating all students through grade 12, which is required by law.

Critics, however, note that nothing in state law prevents undocumented students from attending college, and say those who are living in the United States illegally should not be rewarded with a tuition break. They also argue the federal government, not the state, should address shortcomings in immigration law.

The state Senate has previously signed off on the plan.

Meanwhile, immigrant advocates say they would like to see the bill vetted in public.

“I think we're running a hazard right now of too much hallway conversation happening,� said Ali Noorani, deputy director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition. “Legislators need to be able to discuss it and debate it and vote on it.�

Julie Mehegan's e-mail address is jmehegan@lowellsun.com.

But supporters insist the bill isn't dead, and continuing to lobby House lawmakers to get behind it. They estimate the legislation would affect about 400 high-performing high-school students for whom the lower in-state tuition rate offers the only chance to attend college.

They can go to the University of Mexico. Let Foxie pick up the tab.

GO MITCH ROMNEY!!

PEOPLE....this is AMAZING!!

In-State Tuition is going to FLOP in Massachusetts....Kennedy, Kerry Kountry!!

See? These guys are old has beens....they can't even influence their own state.

NOW ADD ROMNEY who is threatening a VETO of this bill if it gets to his desk to the GOVERNOR'S NOBLE LIST:

Arnold Schwarzenegger (California)
Rick Perry (Texas)
Mitch Romney (Massaschusetts)

LETS START MAKIN' A LIST AND CHECKIN' IT TWICE....to SEE WHO'S BEIN' NAUGHTY OR NICE!!

There are More Governors....post your governor here if he's on the RIGHT SIDE OF THIS LINE IN THE SAND!!

(I'm sorry but I can't post our Governor, Mike Easley, because he created this mess with the Driver's Licenses and the Stand Down Order we heard about from State Troopers--this is North Carolina---HOWEVER, he did take a LEGAL STAND against In-State-Tuition)

North Carolina--lets discuss....I don't want my opinion to prevail on this if others think we should put him on the list....the MORE ON THE LIST, the Better...but he did not say or do anything to help any of the legislation we worked on....he was quiet as a Little Mouse.

Governor Easley ALSO gave El Pueblo over $400,000 in state money to underwrite their "activities" which we now know includes LOBBYING ACTIVITIES....impacting public policy and influencing legislation....which is prohibited under one section of IRS Code and very restricted to "limited lobbying" under another!!

IN MY BOOK, any LOBBYING ACTIVITY BY A PUBLIC CHARITY IS UNCONSITUTIONAL USE OF TAX EXEMPT MONIES WHICH ARE OUR MONIES!!