Posted on 01/31/2007 11:10:01 AM PST by batter
A controversial proposal to end resident college tuition for eligible undocumented students failed in a tied House vote Tuesday.
Lawmakers voted 37-37 on HB224, one vote short of the 38 it needed to pass. Rep. Keith Grover, a Provo Republican who co-sponsored the bill, was the only lawmaker not on the floor to vote. After the vote, a few cheers were heard in the House galleries where the public sits.
The bill could be reconsidered today, leaving people who oppose the repeal nervous. House rules require that the motion for reconsideration be made within a day of the original vote.
One Republican lawmaker who voted for the repeal Tuesday said she had done so in error and would change her vote should the bill return to the floor.
This is the fourth consecutive year that Rep. Glenn Donnelson sponsored a bill to repeal the law. Tuesday was the first time it reached a House vote.
During an 80-minute debate, Donnelson, R-North Ogden, told lawmakers that undocumented college students and graduates can't work in the country legally. They would have to resort to identity fraud to work here, he said.
Donnelson also said he understands the Latino community issues because he and his wife grew up and later did an LDS mission in "inner-city Ogden." Still, he said educational benefits should be reserved for students who are here legally.
"There's something wrong with a statute that encourages young people to violate our laws," Donnelson said.
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. recently told The Tribune he would "very seriously consider vetoing" legislation repealing the tuition benefit.
But Donnelson told lawmakers Tuesday that Huntsman's office said the governor "has not taken a position on the bill."
Under the law, undocumented students, in order to become eligible for the in-state tuition rate, have to attend a Utah high school for at least three years and graduate from a state high school or pass a general educational development test.
In the 2005-06 school year, 182 undocumented students at the state's nine public colleges and universities paid resident tuition.
Rep. Christopher Herrod, R-Provo, said he understands how complex the immigration system can be because he married a woman from Europe. But the immigration laws are there for a reason and can be navigated for people who want to follow the law, he said.
Herrod urged lawmakers to support the repeal. If not, he said it would be "a slap" in the face for all the families who are trying to come to the United States legally.
Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan, told lawmakers that they should vote against the bill because it is the compassionate thing to do. Parents and teachers often tell students to stay out of trouble, get good grades and go to college to better their lives, he said.
"These children are doing that, and now we want to punish them?" Mascaro said of undocumented students.
Rep. Karen Morgan of Cottonwood Heights, who supported the law in 2002, and Rep. Carl Duckworth of Magna and were the only two Democrats who voted for the repeal. Ronda Rudd Menlove, R-Garland, said she voted in favor of the bill by mistake and vowed to switch sides if it comes up again.
More than a dozen community members who oppose the repeal listened to the debate from the House galleries. Valery Pozo, a University of Utah sophomore, said she is passionate about saving the law because she was born and raised in Utah and sees the educational inequalities in the community. She said she has been lobbying against HB224 because some of her childhood friends would be affected by the law.
"I was so relieved and so happy," she said after the vote.
Former Rep. David Ure, who sponsored the bill that became the resident-tuition law in 2002, roamed the halls outside the House floor. After the bill failed, he said, "it's not over. It'll be back within 24 hours."
Asked if he thought the bill would ultimately be successful, Ure said, "The more we beat on this, the more people realize it's not an expenditure, it's an investment in Utah's future. We are dealing with people's lives."
Alliance for Unity, a group of civic, religious and business leaders, publicly opposed the repeal of the tuition law in a letter released on the eve of the vote. Among those who signed it were Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, University of Utah President Michael Young, LDS Apostle M. Russell Ballard, Monsignor J. Terrence Fitzgerald of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, and the Rev. France Davis of the Calvary Baptist Church. Philanthropist Jon Huntsman, the governor's father, also signed along with Zions Bank President Harris Simmons and Dean Singleton, president of MediaNews Group and publisher of The Tribune.
"America and the State of Utah were built by people who had the vision that against all odds they can build a better future," the letter said. "We should encourage these young people by giving them a fighting chance to realize their potential."
After the bill died, Donnelson said, "I knew it was going to be close" because it's an emotional issue. But he said it is not over and he is "never" giving up on repealing the law.
Welcome to Utah - if you follow the law, we nail you with high tuition; ignore it, and we bend over backwards for you.
He should refuse to cash his next paycheck.
I would agree but the bill was brought back up today (I believe he was present this time) but failed.
If he and his wife served the mission, it would likely have been within the last decade (after retirement). If so, I guarantee you he came into plenty of contact with the 'undocumented' population.
IIRC - I think illegals were given the in-state tuition deal BEFORE National Guard, Active Duty etc troops were given the residency waiver.
I'll have to do some fact checking on that to be sure. If so, there's a nice set of priorities for you! Good grief.
If illegals get in-state tuition like law abiding taxpayers then the taxpayers who foot the bill should get free emergency room care, just like illegals.
It's telling that I didn't see one single word in the article about the taxpayers who have to fund this attempt by the representatives to be fashionable.
ping
Same as WA and CA where criminals are so loved by the politicians. Sheesh!
I hope the voters mark those traitors that support the illegals and repay them for their treachery in this next election.
Is this story about today's vote or a past vote?
It needed 38 and got 37 with a representative who supports repeal being absent. He should be ashamed.
Rep. Steve Mascaro, R-West Jordan, told lawmakers that they should vote against the bill because it is the compassionate thing to do.
Oh brother. I can't stand people like this.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Hey, here's a novel concept. When they identify themselves as illegal aliens to get the bennies, arrest and deport them.
This wasn't in the print version (Benefit Survives Vote was the headline). I wouldn't doubt for a moment that they intentionally changed their headline to continue the pressure.
Don't get worked up over this stuff, though - it's the MSM, expect it.
The story is about yesterday's vote. Today, it came up to be reconsidered but failed.
And....the Underground Economy....grows and grows and grows.....
Apparently, the State of Utah knows exactly where 182 active criminals are, right now. Why are they still here?
Sorry--should have elaborated. But even the worst parts of Ogden are no match for "average" parts of Santa Ana, in any way, shape, or form.
Look--they've got less than 200 illegals getting this benefit STATEWIDE (in a population of nearly 2.5 million). I can count more illegals than that in the CSU Fullerton parking lot heading to class at any given moment.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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