The tuition debate is a perennial one in Tallahassee. Similar bills passed the House and Senate but never in the same year. But this year the measure appears to be gaining broader support. House Speaker Bill Weatherford has staunchly backed the proposal, even penning a newspaper column in its favor. He reiterated his support recently after the House bill passed its first subcommittee. The State’s Hispanic Caucus also has made it a priority.
At least 15 other states have passed such laws, with another seven considering them this year. The trend reflects immigrant advocates’ increasing focus on state legislatures as Congress fails to make any headway on national immigration reform. It also highlights lawmakers’ growing recognition of the influence of Latino voters.
The bill would cover all Florida youth who attended at least three years of high school in the state and apply for college within two years of graduation ― regardless of their immigration status. It also would provide in-state tuition to veterans and would require students to be U.S. citizens to receive state financial aid.
Currently, those students pay out-of-state fees that can run as much as $17,000 more per year more than those charged Florida residents.
“Instead of waiting on Washington to fix our broken immigration system, we have an opportunity this session to allow these individuals to fulfill the promise of earning a college degree,” Weatherford said. He lauded House Education Committee Chair and Miami GOP Rep. Jeanette Nunez, who sponsored the primary bill (HB 851).
Gov. Rick Scott, who faces a tough re-election campaign in which Hispanic voters could play a pivotal role, says he’s open to the idea. That marks a reversal from past comments in which Scott blamed such immigrants for costing the state “countless billions” and taking jobs from U.S. residents.
