Debate swirls around California law allowing non-citizens into college

SACRAMENTO, CA - Controversy continues to swirl around a California State Supreme Court ruling upholding a law allowing undocumented students to pay in-state fees to attend college.

California enacted the law known as AB540 in 2002. It says non-citizens who establish 3 years of residency can pay in-state tuition fees to attend California colleges and universities.

Some out-of-state students paying higher fees filed suit calling the law unfair. The state supreme court said Monday the law is legal, marking the first ruling of its kind in the nation.

The issue prompted debate among students at CSU Sacramento. Victoria Ramirez said, "I think they should be able to pay less. I think it's okay if they're residents here and have been living here three years."

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Oil industry aids effort to suspend CA climate law

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With major contributions from the oil industry, supporters of a ballot initiative to suspend California's landmark greenhouse gas emissions law reported a fundraising tally Tuesday of more than $5.2 million in the past 3 months.

The numbers disclosed by the Yes on 23 campaign reflected the continued backing of three out-of-state oil companies — Valero Corp. and Tesoro Corp. of Texas, and Flint Hills Resources, a Wichita, Kan.-based company owned by Koch Industries.

The companies contributed a combined $5 million during the period ending September 30.

In all, the campaign has raised $8.3 million during the first nine months of the year and has $3.1 million remaining cash on hand.

Opponents of the initiative said they expected the petroleum industry to keep pouring money into Proposition 23 before the November 2 vote.

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