CLT
UPDATE
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Voters again get the mule's
attention with our two-by-four
I rise to address one word. A word that has been used
in the discussions leading to this debate. The word is illegal. Some of
you, no doubt, got a memo from the group that is opposed to this
legislation and in that they have a sentence that says we must ask again
what part of illegal do people not understand?
State House News Service
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
House Debate
[Excerpt] Floor speech by Rep. Byron Rushing
Supporter of Tuition Bill
You take Michael Widmer, we've come to rely on him. He's
supporting this bill. Please, I could go on stage and be a comedian on this one.
Good for the economy? Haven't you read the headlines? 1,000 jobs shipped
overseas. Haven't you ever tried to get service for your computer? Don't come
here if you're looking for an American job. Our jobs are coming to you overseas.
We have the unemployed who need jobs. You're going to educate people who are
going to take the jobs that our people need. What could Michael be thinking?
It's fuzzy math.
State House News Service
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
House Debate
[Excerpt] Floor speech by Rep. Marie Parente
Opponent of the Tuition Bill
The contentious, at times ugly and misinformed debate, stoked
by the fires of fear and hatred swayed legislators to dismiss the hard work and
aspirations of immigrant students....
Noorani continued, "The fear and hatred that fueled today’s vote are a product
of the Romney administration’s sheer contempt for the community."
MIRA News Release
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Students' dreams of an education crushed
Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts
Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, blamed the defeat on what he called
"fear and misinformation" by the Romney administration. He said supporters will
try again next year.
"This is not an issue that is going to go away and we are not a community that
is going away," he said.
Associated Press
Thursday, January 11, 2006
House defeats in-state tuition bill
for undocumented immigrants
House Minority Leader Bradley Jones (R-North Reading), an
opponent of the legislation, said supporters never got an accurate tally of how
many colleagues planned to vote in favor of the bill.
"The house of cards collapsed," Jones said in an interview immediately following
the vote. Jones said many supporters who in the end voted against the bill did
so due to the "political liability" of voting in favor of providing benefits to
illegal immigrants....
"I'm no longer surprised by the power of fear, and that's what won today … This
administration has propagated the politics of fear in a remarkably relentless
and ruthless way," said Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts
Immigrants and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.
In response, [Julie Teer, press secretary for Gov. Mitt Romney] said, "This is
not about fear or scare tactics. This is about the law, and it's a matter of
following the law - and not providing incentives." ...
Noorani said the bill's proponents would file the legislation again next
session.
"This is not an issue and we are not a community that's going away," he said.
State House News Service
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
House rejects by 57-97
bill granting undocumented in-state tuition
Massachusetts House members last night decisively defeated a
controversial bill to extend in-state tuition rates at public colleges to
undocumented immigrants, effectively killing the measure for this year.
The 96-to-57 tally surprised advocates of the bill, who believed they had enough
votes to win approval in the House and at one point were predicting they may
have enough support to override a certain veto from Governor Mitt Romney.
Opponents of the bill appeared well organized, and in recent days they had
flooded some legislators with phone calls urging them to vote against the
measure. Some lawmakers were told they would face opponents in this fall's
elections if they supported the bill....
The subject has divided candidates for governor here, with Lieutenant Governor
Kerry Healey a leading opponent of the in-state tuition and Attorney General
Thomas F. Reilly strongly supporting it.
The Boston Globe
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Immigrant tuition bill defeated
Mass. House votes no on rate cut for the undocumented
Chip Ford's CLT Commentary
When it comes to "hate speech," Ali Noorani
sure would be hard to top -- talk about spewing venom! Funny how
easily you can spot the true haters without a scorecard.
The State House News Service reported, "Outside the
chamber after the vote, Rep. Byron Rushing told a crowd of students,
'Just remember, we get a Democratic governor next year, and you only
need 81 votes.'"
That should immediately become Lt. Governor
Healey's campaign slogan -- one that should grab the attention of every
voter in the Commonwealth. With her apparent Democrat opponent,
Attorney General Tom Reilly, having staked out his position of support
for tax subsidies for illegal immigrants, it marks a clear distinction
between them on this issue. But more importantly, yesterday
proponents and supporters of the bill needed a two-thirds vote if they
were to override Republican Governor Romney's promised veto if the bill passed.
As with so many other issues we oppose, a simple majority spelled
defeat for its proponents.
"We're told these immigrants come to take jobs
Americans don't want, but now you want to educate them so they can take
jobs Americans do want and need." Those words, or close to them,
were part of yesterday's passionate floor speech of State Rep. Marie
Parente (D-Milford), the lead opponent of the bill to grant
taxpayer-subsidized in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.
The State House News Service reported that House
Minority Leader Bradley Jones noted: "many supporters who in the end
voted against the bill did so due to the 'political liability' of voting
in favor of providing benefits to illegal immigrants."
Earlier in the day, [House Speaker] DiMasi and lead sponsor Rep.
Marie St. Fleur (D-Dorchester) sent a letter to their colleagues
outlining amendments that would "clarify and strengthen" the bill....
Several members of DiMasi's leadership team defected from the
speaker's effort to pass the bill. Votes against included: Lida
Harkins (D-Needham), the assistant majority leader; Thomas Petrolati
(D-Ludlow), the speaker pro tempore; Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop),
chairman of the Ways and Means committee.
This is a further example of the muscle voters still
can flex, when and if they decide to flex it. As in the '80s,
we're starting to see some Democrats standing up to their leadership, a
good sign. Voters turned around a given
outcome with Melanie's Law, another with the retroactive capital gains
tax, and now this misguided bill on tax subsidies for illegal aliens. Voters can still get the
mule's attention with a two-by-four, even in Massachusetts.
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Chip Ford |
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy
Coalition
MIRA News Release
January 11, 2006
Students' dreams of an education crushed
Today, on a 57-96 vote, the Massachusetts House of Representatives
defeated the In-State Tuition Bill (H.1230).
The contentious, at times ugly and misinformed debate, stoked by the
fires of fear and hatred swayed legislators to dismiss the hard work and
aspirations of immigrant students.
The In-State Tuition Bill (H.1230) allows students who have attended
high school in Massachusetts for at least 3 years the ability to pay the
same rate any resident of Massachusetts would pay – granted they have
graduated from a Massachusetts high school.
The bill does not provide access to any financial aid or scholarships,
and merely allows all immigrant students to pay the same rate as their
high school classmates.
"We thank Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, the Attorney General Tom
Reilly, and all the courageous legislators who stood with the immigrant
community on today’s difficult vote," said Ali Noorani, executive
director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.
"Students across Massachusetts have engaged our country’s democratic
system on this issue – their hard work, dedication and passion is an
inspiration, and bodes well for the Commonwealth in spite of today’s
outcome."
Noorani continued, "The fear and hatred that fueled today’s vote are a
product of the Romney administration’s sheer contempt for the community.
In fact, his record of eliminating health insurance for elderly and
disabled immigrants, and now leading the fight against the In State
Tuition Bill, shows what type of immigrant he values: unless an
immigrant is of the age and skills to push a broom or clean a toilet,
Governor Romney sees no need for them in Massachusetts."
###
MIRA works to advocate for the rights and opportunities of immigrants
and refugees. In partnership with its members, MIRA advances this
mission through education, training, leadership development, organizing,
policy analysis and advocacy.
In Massachusetts, a growing number of youth have decided to fight for
their own futures by forming SIM (the Student Immigrant Movement).
Members of the SIM who would benefit from the DREAM Act and the In-State
Tuition Bill are available to talk to the press. Contact Michele Rudy at
(617) 350-5480 ext. 206 to arrange interviews.
Return to top
Associated Press
Thursday, January 11, 2006
House defeats in-state tuition bill
for undocumented immigrants
By Steve LeBlanc
House lawmakers soundly defeated a bill Wednesday that have would
allowed undocumented immigrant students to pay the same in-state tuition
at state colleges as Massachusetts residents.
The students and their supporters had argued that the children of
illegal immigrants who have graduated from Massachusetts high schools
should pay the same tuition as their classmates.
But opponents, including Gov. Mitt Romney and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey,
said the state shouldn't reward illegal immigration.
The 57-96 defeat was a blow to the Democratic leadership in the House,
which had pushed for the bill. Earlier in the day House Speaker
Salvatore DiMasi, D-Boston, had sent a letter to lawmakers urging them
to support the bill.
Moments after the vote, DiMasi said he was disappointed, but said he
hadn't pressured lawmakers, calling it a "conscience vote." He said he
had promised supporters he would schedule a vote, but left it up to them
to round up support.
"It wasn't an issue I was out trying to garner support for," DiMasi said
in an interview in his office. "I was fully aware it was an uphill
battle."
DiMasi said he didn't think the public fully understood the issue. He
also blamed federal immigration policy, which he said unfairly shifts
the burden on how to deal with undocumented immigrants to the states. He
said postponing the voted wouldn't have altered the outcome.
"Delaying it I don't think would have changed anything," he said.
A Romney spokeswoman said the House made the right decision.
"Gov. Romney commends the members of the House who recognize, as we all
do, that it is wrong to reward illegal immigration," said Romney
spokeswoman Julie Teer.
Ali Noorani, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant and
Refugee Advocacy Coalition, blamed the defeat on what he called "fear
and misinformation" by the Romney administration. He said supporters
will try again next year.
"This is not an issue that is going to go away and we are not a
community that is going away," he said.
The defeat came after more than six hours of heated debate.
Rep. Marie St. Fleur, D-Boston, one of the bill's sponsors, said the
bill made sense not only for the students, but for the state, which is
losing population and relies on educated workers.
"We've educated them, We've invested in them and they have committed to
being the best that they can be," she said. "All these children are
asking for is the power to pay the same tuition rate as their peers."
Rep. Marie Parente, D-Milford, said the issue wasn't about education,
but about money. She also said the state shouldn't be educating
undocumented students so they can take higher paying jobs from legal
residents.
"You're not stopping anyone from going to college. They're here because
they want money," she told lawmakers during the debate. "America is
fighting for its sovereignty today."
Before the vote Romney told reporters he thought there will be changes
in federal immigrant law, but until then Massachusetts should focus on
helping legal immigrants.
"We have a responsibility to uphold the law of the land and those
individuals who are not here legally, in my view, should not receive a
special benefit," he said. "There's not a bottomless pit in terms of
money, and we can decide where to spend it."
Dozens of students gathered at the Statehouse to watch the debate.
Patricia Oliveira, 20, said her parents brought her to the U.S. from
Brazil when she was six. She graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin
High School in 2003 and is working to get a green card, but can't afford
college since she can't obtain grants, loans or financial aid.
She said the bill won't make the state a magnet for undocumented
students.
"When you are facing poverty, war or hunger at home, you're not choosing
a state based on an in-state tuition rate," she said.
Lawmakers launched the debate by overwhelmingly approving a resolution
calling on the U.S. Congress to create a federal policy to help states
grappling with undocumented students.
"Why aren't we putting pressure on the Congress of the United States to
take up this issue?" said House Majority Leader Lida Harkins, D-Needham.
Unauthorized immigrant students can become eligible for in-state tuition
in nine states -- California, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico, New York,
Oklahoma Texas, Utah, and Washington -- according to the National
Conference of State Legislatures.
Return to top
State House News Service
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
House rejects by 57-97
bill granting undocumented in-state tuition
By Amy Lambiaso and Jim O'Sullivan
After more than six hours of emotional debate, the House voted 57 to 97
Wednesday evening to defeat legislation allowing children of
undocumented immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at state colleges.
The vote came as dozens of students watched the debate from the gallery
and comforted each other after the House adjourned for the day. Leading
supporters of the bill offered students encouraging words following the
session, while others declined to speak to reporters because of the
emotional nature of the issue.
House Minority Leader Bradley Jones (R-North Reading), an opponent of
the legislation, said supporters never got an accurate tally of how many
colleagues planned to vote in favor of the bill.
"The house of cards collapsed," Jones said in an interview immediately
following the vote. Jones said many supporters who in the end voted
against the bill did so due to the "political liability" of voting in
favor of providing benefits to illegal immigrants.
Julie Teer, press secretary for Gov. Mitt Romney, said, "Governor Romney
commends the members of the House who recognized as we all do that it is
wrong to reward illegal immigrants. Instead, Governor Romney would like
to focus on providing more resources to our legal immigrants."
But supporters, including House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi, said they were
disappointed and called the vote one of conscience. Many also blamed the
Romney administration for invoking "fear" with the issue among the
public.
"I'm no longer surprised by the power of fear, and that's what won today
… This administration has propagated the politics of fear in a
remarkably relentless and ruthless way," said Ali Noorani, executive
director of the Massachusetts Immigrants and Refugee Advocacy Coalition.
In response, Teer said, "This is not about fear or scare tactics. This
is about the law, and it's a matter of following the law - and not
providing incentives."
Through his spokeswoman, Kimberly Haberlin, DiMasi said he was not
surprised by the vote since many representatives had been contacted
recently by their constituents. Haberlin said the speaker felt like the
students needed an answer and wanted to make good on his vow to vote on
the issue this session.
"He was aware it was an uphill battle," she said. "But he also thought
the substance of the bill was not understood by the public."
Earlier in the day, DiMasi and lead sponsor Rep. Marie St. Fleur
(D-Dorchester) sent a letter to their colleagues outlining amendments
that would "clarify and strengthen" the bill. In the letter, DiMasi and
St. Fleur said, "The time has now come to cut through the rhetoric and
weigh the bill solely on its merits."
They requested support for three amendments: requiring federal tax
identification numbers, proof of a Massachusetts-issued equivalency
degree as an alternative to a high school diploma within the state, and
a more specific affidavit attesting to efforts to achieve citizenship.
One amendment, sponsored by Rep. Christine Canavan (D-Brockton), would
have required non-citizen students, as a condition of eligibility, to
provide proof of a taxpayer identification number and a signed affidavit
that they have applied for citizenship. It was defeated 75-77.
Canavan was one of several lawmakers who voted against the bill on the
final vote, but spoke in favor of the bill on the floor.
"If the federal government is going to let them in and let them stay,"
said Rep. Robert Correia (D-Fall River) who also voted against the final
bill, "then shame on them, but let it not be shame on us."
Bill opponent Rep. Marie Parente (D-Milford) countered: "Ask not what
this country can do for you, but what you can do for yourself. It's not
walking across the border and dismantling Democracy."
The vote reflected declining support since Tuesday, when advocates were
seeking a veto-proof majority of more than 100 votes.
Noorani said the bill's proponents would file the legislation again next
session.
"This is not an issue and we are not a community that's going away," he
said.
Outside the chamber after the vote, Rep. Byron Rushing told a crowd of
students, "Just remember, we get a Democratic governor next year, and
you only need 81 votes."
Several members of DiMasi's leadership team defected from the speaker's
effort to pass the bill. Votes against included: Lida Harkins
(D-Needham), the assistant majority leader; Thomas Petrolati (D-Ludlow),
the speaker pro tempore; Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop), chairman of the Ways
and Means committee.
Earlier Wednesday, the House adopted a resolution offered by Harkins
urging Congress to "enact legislation that will resolve the current
state of flux surrounding policies for in-state tuition rates for
in-state, undocumented immigrants who attend public institutions of
higher education."
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