Lawmakers drop controversial immigrant tuition plan

ST. PAUL D-F-L lawmakers are backing off a proposal to offer resident tuition rates to children of illegal immigrants.
The measure was part of a broader higher education budget bill. Governor Pawlenty has said the tuition plan alone would have been grounds for a veto.

The final college spending proposal is more than 325 million above current two-year spending. Senator Sandy Pappas says the money comes with expectations that public college administrators will keep tuition increases to a minimum.

She says tuition should rise at no more than 4 percent a year, although such a cap isn't a requirement.

The bill is on course for final action tomorrow.

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