The debate has intensified over a legislative bill that would prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving in-state tuition at the University of Nebraska.
On Thursday, the Nebraska Legislature's Judicial Committee voted 5-1 to kill LB963, which was sponsored by Sen. Mike Friend of Omaha on behalf of Gov. Dave Heineman.
The bill sought to require state agencies to verify individuals applying for state benefits are legal U.S. citizens. State agencies also would be prohibited from providing state benefits to illegal immigrants.
The committee's main concern over the bill was that it would repeal a bill passed in 2005 that allows illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition as long as they followed certain specifications.
There are 28 illegal immigrants enrolled at the University of Nebraska.
During a press conference on Friday, the governor responded to the committee's decision, saying he was "extraordinarily disappointed" in the decision to kill LB963.
"This battle is not over yet," Heineman said. "Nebraskans are going to be very upset and very angry when they learn what the committee did."
At the same press conference, Attorney General Jon Bruning accused the Judicial Committee of being "an embarrassment to the Legislature."
After Bruning and Heineman were done speaking, Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha, a member of the Judicial Committee, took the podium, saying the two men were "riding a crest of racism."
Sen. Brad Ashford of Omaha, who is chairman of the Judicial Committee, told The Associated Press his committee would reconsider the bill only if Heineman agreed to remove the provision about in-state tuition.
katiesteiner@dailynebraskan.com
