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Senators seek clarity on tuition plan
BY NANCY HICKS / Lincoln Journal Star

Two state senators want to set the record straight about a new state law and the governor’s campaign advertising.

There seems to be confusion about the law allowing undocumented students who are Nebraska residents to pay in-state college and university tuition, according to a release from Lincoln Sen. DiAnna Schimek and Grand Island Sen. Ray Aguilar.

Information relating to the new law appears in some advertising by Gov. Dave Heineman.

For example, a pamphlet mailed to Republicans says: “Governor Heineman knows that Nebraskans are working hard every day and doing their part to make Nebraska a better place. They are playing by the rules and not asking for handouts, just a fair shake.”

“That’s why Gov. Heineman believes it is wrong to give illegal immigrants in-state tuition at the University of Nebraska,” a Heineman pamphlet reads.

Similar statements are made in TV ads and phone calls, Schimek said.

In response, Schimek and Aguilar provided these facts about the law:

n Not all “illegal immigrants” are eligible. Only children of illegal immigrants, often brought to the U.S. as young children, are eligible.

n These students must have graduated from a public or private high school in Nebraska and lived in Nebraska for three years before graduation.

n The education isn’t free, as suggested by the ads, Schimek said. Students will pay in-state tuition rather than the higher out-of-state tuition now required.

“This is not a gift or a free ride. These students will have to pay tuition at the same rate any other Nebraska high school graduate pays,” their news release stated.

The advertising language infuriates Lori Hodtwalker, who called Schimek’s office about a call she got from Heineman’s campaign last week.

The language makes it sound like all illegal immigrants can get a freebie, said Hodtwalker, a teacher at the Columbus campus of Central Community College.

In a telephone interview Wednesday, Gov. Dave Heineman said it may be true these are children brought over the border by their parents — but they are still illegal immigrants.

Heineman said his message is clear: “I’m opposed to illegal immigrants receiving instate tuition at the University of Nebraska.”

And, he said, most Nebraskans likely agree.

Both senators said they do not want to get involved in the Republican governor’s primary race.

“We just want to set the record straight,” said Schimek, sponsor of the bill, which survived Heineman’s veto.

Reach Nancy Hicks at 473-7250 or nhicks@journalstar.com.