Illegals Bill Set for Vote; College Restrictions 'Overkill,' Senate Foe Says

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Byline: Christina Bellantoni, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

RICHMOND - The House today is expected to pass a bill that would ban illegal aliens from attending state-sponsored colleges, but a powerful state senator who controls the bill's fate said the measure is dead-on-arrival.

The House yesterday gave preliminary approval of the legislation, authored by Delegate Thomas D. Gear, Hampton Republican.

Delegates will take a recorded vote today. Last year, the House passed a similar bill, 72-23, but the Senate Education and Health Committee later rejected the measure.

"It is the worst possible case of overreach and overkill because it goes against the American dream," said Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr., Winchester Republican and the committee chairman. "I predict we are going to kill that bill."

Mr. Potts said young students should not be penalized for their parents' mistakes. No states bar illegal aliens from attending state colleges.

Yesterday, the delegates debated Mr. Gear's bill, with one lawmaker calling it "absolutely, totally illogical."

Mr. Gear said the bill is necessary so illegals don't take coveted spots at the state's top schools.

Delegate John …