GA kills in-state preference bill

A bill requiring Virginia’s four-year universities to give admissions preference to in-state students was defeated in the House of Delegates this past month.

House Bill 1805, proposed by Delegate David E. Poisson, D-Sterling, would have required universities to give preference to in-state applicants who are equally qualified as applicants from out-of-state and have the same advantage in their home states.

Mike Rodgers, Poisson’s legislative assistant, was disappointed with the bill’s failure to advance.

“It’s a very beneficial idea, especially for the areas of Virginia that are suffering from the crowding of in-state schools right now,” he said.

Reasons for the bill’s demise vary, but Rodgers said several universities were opposed to the measure.

“A few of the public institutions were worried about financial concerns,” Rodgers said. “Limiting the amount of out-of-state students can potentially have a pretty substantial impact on the money coming into the school.”

Lauren Reinshuttle, a senior at South County Secondary School in Lorton, said the idea behind the bill seemed unfair.

“I don’t think the bill would be a good idea, because in-state students already have a few advantages over out-of-state students, like reduced tuition,” Reinshuttle said. “(They should give) admissions based on who the better person is.”

Other states, such as Tennessee and Kentucky, have adopted similar legislation. Kentucky’s bill applies to graduate programs only.

Rodgers said it’s very likely Poisson will reintroduce the legislation next year.

“It’s a good bill, as long as we can justify the fiscal impact it will have,” Rodgers said.