Zepnick, Whitewater student go at it over tuition break

Rep. Josh Zepnick, D-Milwaukee, and a UW-Waukesha student testifying before the committee got up in a minor dust-up over in-state tuition for the children of illegal immigrants.

Student Matthew Gutmann drew applause from the audience when he questioned the wisdom of offering the tuition break to children of illegal immigrants while other residents were struggling to get by in this economy.

After his comments, which also touched on lowering taxes and advocating against the smoking ban, also to applause, Zepnick, who attended as a guest, laid into him, saying "this is not a circus."

Zepnick who authored legislation to allow the tuition break, sarcastically commended him for being in college because it is a place to learn.

"You need to finish it," Zepnick said, pointing out that children of illegal immigrants born in the United States are citizens and it is their parents who are having trouble getting documentation.

"What you said is not factually correct," Zepnick said, adding that less than half a percent of students would get the benefit.

Rep. Pedro Colon, D-Milwaukee, who served as chair during the exchange, attempted to interrupt Zepnick, who replied that he didn't intend to say much more throughout the rest of the meeting before continuing.

Gutmann replied by suggesting Zepnick get out of his "ivory tower" and listen to what people are thinking about the issue.

Afterward, Guttman told WisPolitics he was shocked to see how "overly aggressive" Zepnick was with him and that he felt disenfranchised by the confrontation.

He said it wasn't his intent to generate applause, but to share his opinions on the issues.

http://blogs.wispolitics.com/budget/2009/03/zepnick-whitewater-student-go-at-it.html