Affordable college tuition is almost in place for undocumented students brought to the United States illegally by their parents but raised in Oregon. On Friday, February 22, the Oregon House of Representatives passed the Tuition Equity Bill. If it becomes law, the bill will give all Oregon students—regardless of their immigration status—the same in-state tuition costs. That amounts to a savings of tens of thousands of dollars. The bill is now onto the Senate, where it's expected to pass. Governor John Kitzhaber has signaled his support. NATHAN GILLES

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The Oregon House of Representatives has given a big thumbs-up to the Columbia River Crossing, the intensely controversial highway project that would replace the current, earthquake-susceptible I-5 bridge to Vancouver. On Monday, February 25, lawmakers, with the help of Democratic leaders, blessed the project with a 45-11 vote for HB 2800, a bill that authorizes the sale of $450 million in bonds (to be matched by Washington State). That's a mere fraction of the project's $3.5 billion price tag. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill in the coming weeks. NG