March 24, 2009 08:10 PM UTC

Support tuition equity!

•  
• by: Jared Polis

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

At a United States Student Association rally supporting the DREAM Act outside the U.S. Capitol today, I called upon the Colorado State Legislature to pass SB 170 and allow qualified Colorado high school graduates, regardless of immigration status, to pay in-state tuition rates at the state’s public colleges and universities.

I haven’t taken positions on any other laws before our state legislature this year, but this one is compelling enough for me to issue a statement. It also ties into federal policy and puts Colorado in an excellent position for us to benefit the most under the federal DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform.

These kids are as American as anyone else; many of them have been in the country since they were infants and speak English better than you or I and know no other nation. By denying these students-our future teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, and entrepreneurs-the opportunity to go to college and succeed, we are only shooting ourselves in the foot.

This week, I am co-sponsoring the DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Minors) Act, a bipartisan proposal to create a pathway to both college and citizenship for thousands of young students who were brought to the United States years ago as children, which will be reintroduced in the U.S. House and Senate. Without SB 170, however, thousands of young Coloradans would never be able to take full advantage of the DREAM Act, since tuition equity requires state legislative action. Ten states have already enacted tuition equity, including Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah.

SB 170 would increase state revenue, help close the achievement gap in our schools, enrich our workforce, and strengthen our economy. What’s not to like?

With this bill, Colorado has the opportunity to gain maximum benefit from comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act by ensuring that our future citizens are well-educated and ready for work. I call upon Colorado’s lawmakers to invest in our state’s future and pass SB 170.

I deeply appreciate the efforts of Governor Bill Ritter for supporting the legislation and State Senator Chris Romer (D-Denver) and State Representative Joe Miklosi (D-Denver) for advancing the bill through the legislature.

We are a nation of immigrants. When we look into the faces of our newest Americans, how can any of us help but seeing the eyes of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents staring back.  

Congressman Jared Polis