FactCheck.org: Bachmann’s Wrong on Texas Tuition for illegal immigrants

[pampango]

http://factcheck.org/2011/09/bachmanns-wrong-on-texas-tuition/

Bachmann, Sept. 29: We can’t settle for a president who would encourage more illegal immigration through magnet policies, like tuition breaks for illegal aliens or their children. That’s an abuse of an executive power.

Michele Bachmann is wrong to say allowing illegal immigrants in Texas to pay in-state tuition is “an abuse of an executive power.” Gov. Rick Perry did not impose the policy by executive fiat. The Legislature overwhelmingly passed the bill in 2001, and Perry signed it.

That’s just not true. The change in tuition policy followed the usual legislative process. The bill passed by votes of 142-1 in the House and 27-3 in the Senate. The Houston Chronicle wrote: “The surprise at such potentially polarizing issues passing the House and Senate is surpassed only by wonder at the ease with which they have been approved.”

Of course, Perry could have chosen not to sign the bill. But he signed it on June 16, 2001 — four months after it was introduced. “We want bright, new Texans to stay here, and contribute great things to our future,” he said in a speech six days after signing the bill.

A look at those votes in the Texas House and Senate show how "pre-Tea Party" the immigration debate was in 2001. Most state legislatures would have trouble getting any republican votes on a bill like this today.