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Our View - Grant in-state tuition to immigrant children
Collegian Editorial Board
Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: Opinion
It appears that, although our fair state is becoming increasingly blue, the government still doesn't care about the children of scores of immigrants who immigrated to America illegally.
Even though these children offer a viable and much-needed workforce in the state, and it's not their fault that they're here, the Colorado Senate rejected a bill on Monday that would have provided them with in-state tuition rates for our colleges and universities.
The bill, written by Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, would have mandated that students who have attended at least three years of high school in Colorado and who have a diploma under their belt would pay the same rate as other in-state students at any public college regardless of their immigration status.
After more than four hours of debate, the Senate defeated the bill in a close 18-16 vote, with five progressive Democrats giving a thumbs down on the measure, citing hard fiscal times.
This move goes against a national trend as 10 other states have passed bills similar to this in recent years, according to news reports.
We at the Collegian view this as yet another example of the Colorado legislature's staunch lack of commitment to higher education.
In striking down this bill, Colorado lawmakers are saying that the state favors a heavily uneducated minority population over the opportunity to foster a stronger economy and allow those affected by this issue to make better lives for themselves.
Even though these children offer a viable and much-needed workforce in the state, and it's not their fault that they're here, the Colorado Senate rejected a bill on Monday that would have provided them with in-state tuition rates for our colleges and universities.
The bill, written by Sen. Chris Romer, D-Denver, would have mandated that students who have attended at least three years of high school in Colorado and who have a diploma under their belt would pay the same rate as other in-state students at any public college regardless of their immigration status.
After more than four hours of debate, the Senate defeated the bill in a close 18-16 vote, with five progressive Democrats giving a thumbs down on the measure, citing hard fiscal times.
This move goes against a national trend as 10 other states have passed bills similar to this in recent years, according to news reports.
We at the Collegian view this as yet another example of the Colorado legislature's staunch lack of commitment to higher education.
In striking down this bill, Colorado lawmakers are saying that the state favors a heavily uneducated minority population over the opportunity to foster a stronger economy and allow those affected by this issue to make better lives for themselves.
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 12
jimmy
posted 4/08/09 @ 6:58 AM MST
you are clueless...
boo hoo
posted 4/08/09 @ 12:32 PM MST
Oh what a noble cause, Collegian.
Just one problem:
Who's paying for these kids to go to school?
We just lost 300 million in higher ed funding, but you wanna give away more spots in the classroom for cheap. (Continued…)
Arvensis
posted 4/08/09 @ 5:41 PM MST
One correction: the government doesn't have endless pockets, unless of course, large criminal companies need some scratch to make up for their greedy mis-management; or, if we need to "stimulate" the economy with horsesh!t plans. (Continued…)
Sneed Hearn
Sneed Hearn
posted 4/08/09 @ 7:32 PM MST
The dullards and half wits who wrote this opinion obviously believe Colorado and the nation can spend whatever is wanted without limit or consequence, a belief they share with He Who Must Read from a Teleprompter and that collection of imbeciles known collectively as "Congress. (Continued…)
Justanative
posted 4/09/09 @ 3:34 PM MST
BooHoo: Seems to me that PATHETIC might be a PERFECT signature for you, because, you do realize that unless you, yourself, are a true-blue Native American whose lineage can ONLY be traced to/of these United States--your family likely immigrated here, and, probably/likely ILLEGALLY, as well. (Continued…)
jimmy
posted 4/10/09 @ 6:53 AM MST
Chunk,
You are an arrogant moron.
Alpha
posted 4/11/09 @ 12:21 PM MST
I hate the whole "we all came from immigrants" arguments because that's not a valid argument for this time and place. You obviously never been in a situation where there is soooo many illegal immigrant children that the education fails because their parents don't pay taxes but have 8 children in the public school system. (Continued…)
boo hoo
posted 4/11/09 @ 2:23 PM MST
Justanative, is that what you really beleive?
YOU SAY:
"because, you do realize that unless you, yourself, are a true-blue Native American whose lineage can ONLY be traced to/of these United States--your family likely immigrated here, and, probably/likely ILLEGALLY, as well. (Continued…)
Craig Hawley
posted 4/13/09 @ 12:39 AM MST
Finally some semblance of sanity. Colorado finally got one right.
Americans sovereignty for sale to anyone that can break in and have an anchor baby. (Continued…)
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