Posted on 05/10/2007 5:20:20 PM PDT by Dubya
AUSTIN — A bill to repeal in-state tuition for illegal immigrants was knocked down in the House on Wednesday, but only after emotional debate that pitted backers who called it a show of support for immigration laws against critics who decried it as a painful sign of intolerance.
Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, raised a technical objection to House Bill 159, stopping consideration of the measure before a vote occurred.
"If we're going to have students from the other 49 states coming into the state of Texas, I believe it's inherently unfair that in essence they would pay a higher tuition rate than those who are in this country illegally," said Rep. Bill Zedler, R-Arlington, sponsor of the bill to repeal the tuition break, saying the difference could amount to $12,000 per student.
Opponents said that illegal immigrants must leap more stringent hurdles than those who move here from out of state to qualify for the lower in-state tuition and that derailing the tuition break would crush the dreams of thousands.
"We as a body are being asked to succumb to a small voice in our world that is intolerant regardless of any rational arguments," said Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston. "The small intolerant voice is one that does not like immigrants. We as Texans reject intolerance."
Zedler shot back, "Do we in essence totally ignore the fact that the laws of the United States have been broken when it comes to immigration? I don't think so."
The current law, signed by Gov. Rick Perry in 2001, was backed by groups representing business, education, Latino and civil rights interests. The immigrants must have lived here at least three years and plan to become citizens.
Action on the bill was delayed after Noriega offered an amendment that would have gutted it, then lawmakers offered technical objections to the bill itself.
Merritt's technical objection, which derailed the bill, said that the analysis of the measure didn't match the legislation itself.
With legislative deadlines kicking in, Zedler said he couldn't resurrect the bill, but could add the issue as an amendment to another measure.
Austin Bureau reporters Janet Elliott and Gary Scharrer contributed to this report
pfikac@express-news.net
Opponents said that illegal immigrants must leap more stringent hurdles than those who move here from out of state to qualify for the lower in-state tuition and that derailing the tuition break would crush the dreams of thousands.
"We as a body are being asked to succumb to a small voice in our world that is intolerant regardless of any rational arguments," said Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston. "The small intolerant voice is one that does not like immigrants. We as Texans reject intolerance."
Zedler shot back, "Do we in essence totally ignore the fact that the laws of the United States have been broken when it comes to immigration? I don't think so."
The only thing these students are entitled to is a free ride back to their country of origin.
It’s not intolerance towards Hispanics, it’s intolerance towards those who violate the laws of the United States then feel entitled to the same benefits as those in this country legally.
“Opponents said that ... derailing the tuition break would crush the dreams of thousands.”
So the taxpayers of Texas are financially responsible for the dreams of non-Texans?
And the feeling is, of course, mutual.
I’m just getting ready to graduate from a college in south Texas and I know for a fact that it would turn out of state students away if they knew illegals could receive a college education at a lower cost than them.
I read this with utter amazement. This should have been a total landslide to repeal this.
I for one am intolerant of the creatures who are not only a threat to our national security,they are a threat to the economic well being of the average working man and woman,because they not only drive the price of labor through the floor,but they are large consumers of tax payer dollars. Consuming things they have No legal right to.
For all those parents like myself that are paying through the nose for our kids education and getting NO HELP FROM ANYONE, these law breakers and thier cohorts in government are dispicable! We voted these people into office and they turn around and give us the finger. Not only are we paying for our kids but we are paying for illegal kids as well. REMEMBER WHO THEY ARE AND VOTE THEM OUT,
This entire argument is nonsense.Never mind debating what they should pay to go to college here,arrest em and send em back to the country they belong in !!!
This pisses me off.
Im a resident but if my child comes to Tx for college he doesnt get zip
Even the title of this article is just wrong.
ping
Gov Goodhair strikes again. What a bootlicker. I am amazed he signed off on the Castle Doctrine.
“Opponents said that illegal immigrants must leap more stringent hurdles than those who move here from out of state to qualify for the lower in-state tuition....The immigrants must have lived here at least three years and plan to become citizens”
BWAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAA
“derailing the tuition break would crush the dreams of thousands”
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Yes thousands of AMERICAN citizen students cant get into college because of the illegal aliens and if they can they get no tuition break and their dreams are crushed but does anybody care?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Only the non-Texans who are non-citizens and non-immigrants...
My Tennessean kids cannot go to Texan colleges with in-state tuition breaks...their dreams are crushed.....
The only thing the politicians care about is the HISPANIC VOTE. We don't count anymore.
Well, for one thing, not too many illegals ever go to college in the first place. Most of ‘em never finish high school and work labor jobs to begin with.
I called Perry's office that day and said that I thought Texas had left the Union again.
The secretary was somewhat taken aback, to say the least.
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