Bill to aid illegal immigrant students lacks votes
Friday, January 8, 2010
BY ELIZABETH LLORENTE

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The sponsor of a state Senate bill that would allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities said Friday that there don't seem to be enough votes to pass the measure.

Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Essex, said he will withdraw the bill if four more votes cannot be secured by Monday afternoon, when the bill is scheduled for a vote. At least 21 votes are needed for passage.

Assemblyman Gordon Johnson, D-Englewood, the sponsor of the Assembly version of the bill, said he does seem to have enough votes in the Assembly but would pull it if the Senate pulls its measure. The Assembly also is scheduled to vote on the bill Monday.

“If the votes aren’t there, we won’t do anything with the bill,â€