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.