In-state tuition bill to go on ballot

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A petition drive against a measure allowing certain illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at Maryland colleges has succeeded in gathering enough signatures to put the legislation on the ballot.

The Maryland State Board of Elections on Thursday reported that 63,118 signatures have been validated. A total of 55,736 were needed to put the measure on the ballot for voters to decide in November 2012.

Linda Lamone, the state elections administrator, said there are about 40,000 additional signatures still to be verified.

The bill allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates at four-year public colleges if they complete two years at a community college after attending three years of high school.

Students also will have to show that their parents paid state income taxes.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)