Washingtontimes.com
Once again confronted with large legislative majorities opposed to giving illegal aliens the same privileges as folks who are in the country legally, Virginia Gov. Mark Warner wants to delay consideration of a hot-button issue.
Mr. Warner says he needs more time to study and propose amendments to legislation that would require illegal aliens to pay higher out-of-state tuition rates to attend Virginia colleges and universities. The bill, introduced by Delegate Thelma Drake, Norfolk Republican, passed the House of Delegates several weeks ago by an 88-10 vote and was approved by the Senate yesterday.
Students paying in-state tuition rates save substantial sums of money compared with those — including members of military families stationed in Virginia — who pay out-of-state tuition rates. For example, a three-credit class at Virginia Tech costs $480 for in-state students and $1,682 for out-of-staters. In the Northern Virginia Community College system, a three-credit class costs $170 for in-state students and $607 to those from out-of-state. Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, a supporter of Mrs. Drake's bill, says that every in-state student at a Virginia college or university costs taxpayers approximately $6,028 per year.
The governor's ponderings notwithstanding, legal residents of the state deserve to pay lower rates than persons residing in Virginia in violation of U.S. law. And it is simply wrong that individuals in this country in violation of the law are able to pay less to attend college in Virginia than the children of active-duty members of the U.S. military.
Posted by Suzanne at February 20, 2003