Will Watts Demand In-State Tuition for All Felons?
Rick Noriega, a Houston-based consigliere for Enron-wannabe CenterPoint Energy and Senate candidate, is the leading advocate for legislation which requires Texas to provide in-state tuition and financial aid to illegal aliens who have crossed the border into Texas before applying to a Texas college:
Noriega, whose great-grandmother crossed into Texas from Mexico in 1916, is author of a law permitting in-state college tuition rates for illegal immigrants.Noriega’s likely opponent for the Democratic nomination in the Senate race is Mikal Watts, a San Antonio trial lawyer.
Not to be outdone by Noriega’s bold legislation extending in-state tuition and financial aid to college applicants who violated immigration laws, I anticipate the following announcement from the Watts campaign in the near future:
Watts has demanded that all lawbreakers who come to Texas to commit their felonies should receive both preferred access to financial aid and reduced in-state tuition:“Where is Rick Noriega’s compassion?” Watts asked a crowd gathered in the Walls Unit of the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville. “Noriega extended financial aid and preferential in-state tuition only to those college applicants who break immigration laws,” Watts continued, “and I mean to break down that artificial barrier so that all convicts who cross Texas’ border in the commission of a felony enjoy an equal access to financial aid and reduced tuition at Texas universities!”
posted by Small Tent Democrat @ 8:55 AM
2 Comments:
While I have found it impossible to support Noriega, I would have to say that this is the one good idea that I have seen him put forth. Europeans who came to this country did not arrive with green cards. They got on boats and when they got here most were welcomed in, though not always treated well. Making provisions for people who are smart enough, educated enough and motivated enough to apply to our universities makes sense both economically and from a humanitarian perspective. Calling people felons because they are struggling in the only way available to improve the conditions of their lives seems callous.
I also don't think the DREAM ACT is a bad idea. I don't think it's a winning general election issue for us, but it's a good idea.
Frankly, I could agree with the immigration loving Noriega 2003 who sponsored the legislation to pay for undocumented children to get tuition and financial aid benefits.
I could also agree (on electability grounds) with the immigrant hating Noriega 2007 who voted for the Flynn amendment to kick undocumented children off CHIP rolls.
But the flip from immigration loving Noriega 2003 to immigrant hating Noriega 2007 leaves up with a candidate who has all the unelectability without the political courage.
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