I just heard from a senator from Colorado:


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I have another update on Senate Bill 170, the proposal to give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.



Yesterday Senator Chris Romer, the bill’s sponsor, postponed action on the bill until the U.S. Congress made progress on this issue. It looked like the bill was dead for the session. But today he abruptly changed his mind on the issue, resurrecting the bill and pushing ahead full force to give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants. He laid out his arguments for the bill, saying that giving in-state tuition to illegal immigrants would not cost the state money and would in fact generate economic growth by educating the workforce.



Sadly, this is not true: giving in-state tuition to students who have not paid taxes here does cost the state money. For example, tuition at the University of Colorado costs about $7,200 per year for Colorado residents and $26,700 for nonresident students. The $19,500 per-student difference reflects the taxes that a resident student and their family have paid over the years in the form of income, property, and sales taxes. Giving an illegal immigrants a $19,500 per year discount will add up – a similar bill that gives identical benefits to honorably discharged veterans was estimated to cost the state $3 million per year -- and SB 170 will undoubtedly cost as much or more.



Additionally, giving a university education to illegal immigrants will neither generate economic growth nor help the individuals who receive the degree, since an illegal alien cannot be employed anywhere in Colorado – with or without a college degree. Investing in members of a workforce who are not legally allowed to work wastes taxpayer money and gives the illegal aliens false hope about their job prospects.



But this bill will not only impact taxpayers – SB 170 will hurt Colorado students who hope to attend a state university. State universities have a limited number of spots, and illegal immigrants who are accepted to state universities may take the spots of legal, taxpaying students who must then look elsewhere for an education.



This bill has been assigned to the Senate Appropriations committee, which likely hold a hearing on it next week. I’ll let you know when SB 170 has been scheduled so you can listen in on the debate or come to testify. In the mean time, it would be helpful for you to contact the members of the Senate Appropriations committee with your thoughts on this bill.



I’ll keep you updated

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Romer must of gotten the pinch from his special interests to force him to push forward. GET ON THE HORN and SEND THOSE EMAILS!!!

Can Someone Post the emails to the Colorado Senators and those voting on this?

Just wow.