Leadership in the state House

From yesterday's Denver Post,

A Democratic state lawmaker is quietly lining up community support for a bill that would allow undocumented students to pay in-state college tuition.

Denver Rep. Joe Miklosi sponsored a similar bill in the House in the 2009 legislative session that died after fierce debate in the Senate. But supporters are not giving up.

"I believe in creating educational opportunities. I don't believe in creating a second-class citizenship that leads to hopelessness," Miklosi said.

This is exactly the right thing to do and I must congratulate Rep. Miklosi on demonstrating leadership on this issue by stepping forward and working to do the right thing. In state tuition for undocumented kids who live in Colorado and graduate from our high schools is the right thing to do morally and the smart policy decision.

These kids are here, more often that not, through no action of their own - they came with their parents. They've lived in the community, they completed high school and they shouldn't be punished for a decision their parents made years prior. They should be allowed to pursue an education, to better themselves and to become full participants in society.

It's refreshing to see Denver Democrats take the hard but right stance on these issues. Rep. Miklosi and Sen. Romer are to be commended for doing what so many of their peers have failed to do. What is the point in having Democratic majorities and a Democratic governor if we're not going to use those offices to advance liberal causes?