Posted on 06/27/2007 12:49:17 PM PDT by CT-Freeper
A bill that would have allowed the children of illegal immigrants living in Connecticut to pay the same in-state tuition fees as residents may have died with Gov. M. Jodi Rell's veto Tuesday. "This bill does not address the underlying problem that these students face — that they are not legal residents of the United States," the governor said. "The requirement that students file an application to legalize their status would, in essence, be notification to the government that they are here illegally and it would greatly increase the likelihood of their deportation."
But state Rep. Felipe Reinoso, D-Bridgeport, who proposed the bill, said it would have provided educational opportunities that could only lead to the students becoming hardworking, tax-paying residents of Connecticut.
"This bill did not provide free tuition or educational grants," he said. "All it did was allow illegal immigrants living in Connecticut to pay the same tuition as state residents when attending state schools, while they are seeking to change their status."
There is an outside chance that the state Legislature could override the veto.
State Rep. James Amann, the speaker of the House, said he will canvass Democratic members Thursday to see if there is support.
"If there is enough support we'll take it to a caucus and I'll check with Don Williams to see how the Senate feels."
Williams, D-Brooklyn, is the state Senate president pro tempore.
But State Sen. Dan Debicella, R-Shelton, commended the governor for her veto.
"In a world of limited resources, we need to prioritize financial aid for legal residents over special benefits for illegal aliens — the governor has done just that," Debicella said.
The bill passed the State House by a 76-67 vote and the State Senate by a 21-15 vote.
A two-thirds vote is needed to override the veto.
The bill would have allowed illegal immigrants to pay approximately $8,000 instead of $21,000 in tuition to attend the University of Connecticut.
"Connecticut should prioritize helping middle class, legal residents pay for college before helping subsidize illegal immigrants' college education," Debicella said.
The state budget that passed Monday increases financial aid available for legal state residents, he said.
"I believed this was a good bill and I supported it," said Amann, of Milford. "Our government has turned a blind eye to these kids and is penalizing them for what their parents did."
Reinoso, who immigrated from Peru and became a naturalized citizen, said he will reintroduce the bill next term if Rell's veto stands.
"We are always pushing education as a priority for our children," he said. "This was a chance to really prove our desires."
It was estimated that about 250 students would have qualified.
The governor said the bill would have required students to legalize their immigration status or indicate that they will do so. However, she believes that, absent federal reform, many of the students would never become eligible.
"I understand that these students are not responsible for their undocumented status, having come to the United States with their parents," the governor said. "The fact remains that these students and their parents are here illegally and neither sympathy nor good intentions can ameliorate that fact."
Rell said the most prudent step is to "wait for resolution at the federal level" as to issues involving illegal immigration.
Connecticut Ping
Let me know if you want on or off.
How did it make it to his desk? People are really insane!
CT’s Legislature is dominated by RATS.
My own state legislature, IL, passed a similar bill into law with little complaints from the people. Blue States don’t care about illegals getting special rights.
On!
Rell isn’t a total looser, just almost.
LOL! In a state of 3.5 million, 250 are significant enough to warrant such legislation - and aren’t even citizens?
It's just amazing the level of stupidity, blatant ignorance of the law there is among the elected officials in this country.
Rod Serling promised a sign post, but we passed into the Twilight Zone without notice at some point.
So I would pay $21,000 for my American kid to go to school there, but kids of illegal immigrants would only pay $8,000. Hmm, let me think about that.
And to think we used to tease the French for surrendering and allowing Hitler to invade France, treating nazi troops to fine wine rich french cuzine and comfortable lodgings, their daughters.
We are doing WORSE! we are PAYING them to invade us.
We will never live this down if we somehow survive this.
Don’t worry, we won’t ....... survive, that is.
Gov. Rick Perry of Texas signed legislation allowing the illegals to get in state tuition-disgusting.
I thought that was against federal law.....not that the law matters anymore.
You are correct. This legislation is against federal law. It wouldn’t last a day in court.
It is pure posturing.
Here in Connecticut, we are stuck with a Dem majority in both houses, both with a veto proof majority. We are stuck hoping that there are a few sane Dems left.
Interestingly, that is precisely the situation that, for example, legal American citizens whose parents moved their families out of Connecticut to places such as the bordering states of New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island find themselves in.
So, why does that clueless legislator want to discriminate against all of those former Connecticut residents who wish to pay in-state tuition rates, yet he is anxious to give a special benefit to illegal immigrants?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.