Thread: NJ-Vote on illegal immigrant tuition rates uncertain

Vote on illegal immigrant tuition rates uncertain
Monday, January 11, 2010
Last updated: Monday January 11, 2010, 1:19 PM
BY ELIZABETH LLORENTE

1 Comment

Whether the state Legislature will vote on a controversial bill that would allow illegal immigrants to attend public colleges at in-state tuition rates, which are usually half the out-of-state costs they’re usually charged, remained uncertain today, the last day of the lame-duck session.

The bill’s chief sponsor, Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, on Friday said that the measure appeared to be about four or five votes short of the 21 needed to pass. Rice said he likely would withdraw the bill at some point today if it seemed doomed.

The measure’s sponsor in the Assembly, Rep. Gordon Johnson, D-Englewood, indicated that it seemed to have enough support among his colleagues, but that the assembly probably would vote on the bill only if it remained on the Senate’s agenda and passed.

The bill’s supporters said they are still hoping for victory, after eight years of watching the bill languish in legislative committees, which must release a measure before both houses can act on it.

“It’s do-or-die today,â€

[quote]“Failure to vote for this is failure to stand up to the xenophobes.â€

[quote="ALIPAC"][quote]“Failure to vote for this is failure to stand up to the xenophobes.â€

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