Repeal of tuition bill fails to advance out of House

A bill to repeal in-state tuition for undocumented students failed to advance in a 37-37 tie vote in the House today.

But a co-sponsor of HB224 was absent and the bill's sponsor has hinted it will be back on Wednesday.

"Why wouldn't I try," Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, said about bringing the bill back for another vote. "It will be close. We just need to keep trying."

Co-sponsoring Rep. Keith Grover, R-Orem, was absent for the vote. Because the vote was tied the bill could come back within 24 hours with a majority vote.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who has yet to take a formal position on the bill, did not have an immediate comment.

During an hour-long debate, those voting for and against the bill expressed frustration at a lack of federal action on the immigration issue.

"They are being punished because the federal government fails to correct the immigration process," said Rep. Steven Mascaro, R-West Jordan. "Any one of us would tell our children to get good grades, go on to college ... These children are doing that and now we want to punish them."

But Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, questioned the message Utah was sending by giving the students an incentive to stay in the state by allowing them to

pay the in-state rate, but not allowing them to work without committing identity theft.

"Once these young people have this degree in hand, we've left them with few choices," he said. "We have created a dual track, a track that is the second-class citizen track."

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