By Bob Katzen

Bill (H 4000 – House 107-42, approved a Democratic leadership-sponsored amendment prohibiting a proposal that would allow honorably discharged veterans to pay the preferred, lower in-state tuition rates and fees at Massachusetts state universities from taking effect until the Department of Higher Education studies the impact of the lower rates for veterans. The proposal would offer the discount to all in-state veterans and to any veteran from across the nation who designates Massachusetts as his/her intended home and moves to Massachusetts within one year of attending a state university.
   Supporters of the study said there is no estimate on how much it would cost the state to offer this discount to all these veterans. 
  Opponents of the study said it is outrageous that the state provides the lower tuition rate for some illegal immigrants but not to veterans. They noted that sending the bill to a study committee is the same as killing it.
   The roll call vote is on the amendment to study, rather than vote directly on the lower tuition rates for veterans. (A “Yes” vote is for the study. A “No” vote is against it.)

 Rep. Christine Barber Was not yet elected Rep. Mike Connolly Was not yet elected Rep. Denise Provost Yes