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Tuition Bill for Undocumented Immigrants Fails
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Jan 11, 2006, 20:17

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BOSTON –State Representatives defeated a bill Wednesday 57-96 that would allow undocumented immigrant students to pay the same discounted in-state tuition rate at state colleges as Massachusetts residents.

Gov. Mitt Romney and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, had opposed the bill

The defeat was a blow to the Democratic leadership in the House, and by Attorney General Tom Reilly, who sent a letter to lawmakers urging him to vote for the bill. Earlier in the day House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, D-Boston, also had sent a letter to lawmakers urging the support the bill.

DiMasi said he was disappointed, but said he hadn't pressured lawmakers to support the bill, calling it a "conscience vote."

DiMasi said he didn't think the public fully understood the issue. He also blamed federal immigration policy, which he said unfairly shifts the burden on how to deal with undocumented immigrants to the states. He said postponing the voted wouldn't have changed the outcome.

A Romney spokeswoman said the House made the right decision.

The defeat came after more than six hours of heated debate.