Tuition Equity Bill passes Oregon State Senate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2011

Contact:
Francisco Lopez, Executive Director: (503) 269-5694
Erik Sorensen, Communications Director: (503) 488-0263

Tuition Equity Bill passes Oregon State Senate

Advocates and students applaud Senators for passing Senate Bill 742

SALEM, ORE. (March 29, 2011) -- Today, the Oregon State Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 742, bipartisan legislation that will ensure that every Oregon student has fair access to quality and affordable higher education, regardless of their status.

During today’s vote, a large group of education advocates and students filled the gallery in anticipation of the Senate’s passage of SB742. The final vote was 18 in favor, 11 opposed and 1 abstaining. The bill will now move on to Oregon State House for debate and a final vote.

"We applaud State Senators for doing the right thing for Oregon students and our state”, said Francisco Lopez, Executive Director of CAUSA. “Oregon's Business Community, the University System, the Public Education System and Oregonians across the political spectrum have come out in support of this legislation”, Lopez added. "They understand the importance that affordable higher education has for the future of all Oregon students and for Oregon’s economy. We encourage members of the State House to pass SB 742 as soon as possible.”

Oregon's Tuition Equity Bill capitalizes on the state's investment in all K-12 students and will boost the education level of Oregon's Workforce, thereby attracting new businesses and jobs for the state.

Cosponsors of Oregon’s bi-partisan Tuition Equity Bill includes Oregon State Senators David Nelson (R-Pendleton), Frank Morse (R-Albany), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Portland/Beaverton), Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), Rod Monroe (D-Portland), Chris Edwards (D- Eugene, Santa Clara, and Junction City), Chuck Thomsen (R-Hood River) and Chip Shields (D-Portland), and Oregon State Representatives Michael Dembrow (D-Portland), Mark Johnson (R-Hood River), Bob Jenson (R-Pendleton), Peter Buckley (D-Ashland), Sara Gelser (D-Corvallis), Betty Komp (D-Woodburn) and Chris Harker (D-Beaverton).

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CAUSA, Oregon's Immigrant Rights Coalition, is the largest Latino and Latina civil and human rights and advocacy organization in the Pacific Northwest. We work to defend and advance immigrant rights through coordination with local, state, and national coalitions and allies. For more information, visit http://www.causaoregon.org/

Posted in: Education,Oregon Legislature,Senate Bill 742,Tuition Equity