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Posted: 12:33 PM- A controversial bill that would repeal a state law that allows eligible undocumented students to pay resident college tuition failed today in a tied House vote. Lawmakers voted 37 to 37 on HB224, meaning it died. Rep. Keith Grover, R-Provo, who co-sponsored the bill, was the only lawmaker not on the floor to vote.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Glenn Donnelson, could be reconsidered within 24 hours, perhaps as early as this afternoon, and people who oppose the repeal are nervous.
During an 80-minute debate, Donnelson, R-North Ogden, told lawmakers that undocumented college students and graduates can't work in the country legally. He said they would have to resort to identity fraud to work here legally. "There's something wrong with a statute that encourages young people to violate our laws," Donnelson said. In the 2005-06 school year, 182 undocumented students at the state's nine public colleges and universities registered for class under the law.
Rep. Steven Mascaro, R-West Jordan, told lawmakers that they should vote against the bill because it was the compassionate thing to do. He said parents and teachers often tell students to stay out of trouble, get good grades and go to college to better their lives. "These children are doing that, and now we want to punish them?" Mascaro said of undocumented students. Alliance for Unity, a group of civic, religious and business leaders including Mayor Rocky Anderson and University of Utah President Michael Young, on Monday publicly opposed the repeal of the tuition law in a letter signed by 18 members. In a recent Tribune poll, 55 percent of Utah voters surveyed wanted to do away with the state law that allows undocumented students to pay resident tuition.
For the past four consecutive years, Donnelson has sponsored a bill to repeal the law. Today, was the first time it had reached a House vote.
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. recently told the Tribune he would "very seriously consider vetoing" a repeal of the law. However, Donnelson told lawmakers today that Huntsman's office said the governor "has not taken a position on the bill." The law was approved and initiated in 2002. To be eligible for the resident tuition waiver, students must attend a Utah high school for at least three years and graduate from a state high school or pass a general educational development test.
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