The controversial Tuition Equity Bill passed 19 to 11 on Thursday in the Oregon Senate.  It originated in the House and easily passed in that Chamber.  It now goes to the Governor's desk for his signature.  The Governor has been a big supporter of giving in-state tuition for illegal immigrant students.

State Senator Tim Knopp of Bend voted "no" on the bill.  He agrees with a woman from Hungary who came to the United States decades ago and was put through an extensive and invasive process to become a citizen, and who doesn't feel the bill is fair.  

"She indicated that when she came to this country in 1956 she had to go through a physical - a criminal background check...get vaccinated - and more before she was even allowed in the country. She doesn't think it's equitable that people who are here illegally- whether its through their fault or not- would have in-state tuition." 

Knopp also talked about an Oregon student who is from California who has to pay out of state tuition.  He says that student doesn't think it's fair that someone who is not a legal citizen would be granted the much lower tuition rate.