Gardenhire’s education bill the right way to bite the immigration apple

Sen. Todd Gardenhire R-Chattanooga

State Sen. Todd Gardenhire is not suggesting we eat the entire immigration apple in one bite in order to do what’s right for Tennessee children born in the United States to parents who are illegal immigrants.

The entire apple — allowing illegal immigrants to become U.S. citizens (with, pick your various restrictions) — is much, much harder to swallow.

But Gardenhire, R-Chattanooga, got the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday to approve his bill that would allow U.S. born children of illegal immigrants living in Tennessee to attend public college on in-state tuition.

The bill, which would apply to state residents of at least a year, was approved 6-3.

The House Education Subcommittee also passed a companion measure on Wednesday.