Immigration reform advocates rejoiced on Tuesday, March 29, as the Oregon Senate passed a "tuition equity" bill by a vote of 18-11. The bill would grant children of illegal immigrants (who've attended school in Oregon for at least three years and graduate from an Oregon high school), the ability to pay in-state university tuition. Republican Senator Frank Morse, who opposed the bill in 2003 but is now a chief co-sponsor, gave a fiery argument before the vote, "Who would stand with us today and say, 'Deport these children?'" The university system estimates about 75 undocumented students will take advantage of in-state tuition over the next four years, netting the schools $943,467 by 2015 ["Dollar Scholars," News, March 10]. Next up: a vote in the House. SARAH MIRK

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New pro-gay-marriage ads hit the airwaves statewide this week. The spots, produced by LGBT advocacy group Basic Rights Oregon, target voters with the old golden rule: A straight, middle-aged couple tells the camera they came around to gay and lesbian marriage when they realized it coincides with values of "treating others how you'd want to be treated." Basic Rights Oregon has been building a campaign to get a constitutional amendment allowing gay marriage on the ballot as soon as 2012, but won't commit to a firm date until this summer. A 2009 survey showed 45 percent of Oregonians support marriage equality. SM

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Twenty state legislators, including eight Republicans, signed onto a strongly worded letter demanding answers on the "true cost" of the Columbia River Crossing (CRC). Referencing an independent economic study that showed the big new Interstate 5 bridge to Vancouver could cost $6 billion more than project backers estimate ["Recalculating the CRC," News, Oct 14, 2010], the representatives on Monday, March 28, called for "further scrutiny before the commitment of additional public dollars." Oregon and Washington have allocated $131 million to the project over the past seven years. SM