Texas Lt. Gov.'s race: Undocumented student tuition rates could become an issue

By Marty Schladen

AUSTIN >> Republican candidates for lieutenant governor all say they'll stop granting in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants, but a leading political scientist Tuesday said major candidates in the governor's race are unlikely to take the same position.

State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, has a new advertisement claiming he's the only candidate for lieutenant governor who would repeal the tuition law. The Texas Tribune reported this week that Patrick's primary opponents, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples, rushed to say they also want to repeal the law.

Don't expect a statement from Republican Attorney General Greg Abbott saying he will adopt the same stand, Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson said.

"I would expect (Abbott) to take the Perry position," Jillson said....