Jones: Governor Patrick Putting Illegal Immigrants Ahead of Needs of Massachusetts Residents

BOSTON—House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. issued the following statement after hearing that Governor Patrick intends to push a proposal allowing illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates.

I am confident speaking on behalf of the entire Republican Caucus in saying Governor Patrick’s plan to allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates is not only a ridiculous idea but also a slap in the face to all Massachusetts taxpayers who expect state government to be focusing on stimulating the economy and putting people back to work.

Providing in-state tuition to illegal immigrants should not be a priority of Governor Patrick and the fact that it is does not shock me, but it certainly disappoints me. We’re facing a potential $2.5 billion structural deficit going into the next fiscal year. This is not the direction we should be heading and it sends a very bad message to the taxpayers who are told year after year by the Patrick Administration that they must pay more in taxes, while at the same time receiving less services.

This idea failed miserably in the legislature a few years back and I am confident it will do so again.