"That ain't right."

The Marine reservist was indignant in his statement to me. He questioned why he should be forced to pay higher, out-of-state tuition to attend college in California. But were he a noncitizen who had illegally crossed the border and wanted to go to college in California, he would be welcomed with the incentive of reduced, taxpayer-subsidized resident fees.

"You're telling me that I put my life on the line for my country, get moved by Uncle Sam to California, and this state wants to penalize me, but at the same time, will reward somebody for breaking our immigration laws and give them a reduced tuition?" I had to admit his indignation was justified; it wasn't and it isn't right.

This young Marine questioned me shortly after the majority in Sacramento, with the help of Gov. Gray Davis, granted in-state tuition fees to illegal immigrants. My latest legislation, Senate Bill 1040, which follows previous legislation I've authored on this issue, would entitle recent veterans, military reservists and members of their immediate families to pay resident tuition fees, plus eliminate the one-year limitation on resident classification for graduate students in the military.

The nation's servicemen and women and their families face uncertainty during this time of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The greatest sacrifices of all have been made by those living as our neighbors and friends right here in San Diego and Riverside counties, home to Camp Pendleton and some 80 other military installations. Yet, when reservists who've not yet established residency attempt to better themselves through higher education, they pay the higher tuition fees based upon their legal state of residence.

Other states with far less dependence on the military than California support taking action even further than my legislation. Democratic Gov. Ted Kulongoski of Oregon wants to give free tuition to attend state universities, among other exemptions, for National Guard and military reservists who have served on active duty in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. Kulongoski calls it an "appreciation package."

Appreciation —— that's something we could express tangibly, which might go a long way toward alleviating the righteous indignation of that Marine reservist and other service members.

State Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth represents the 36th District, which includes portions of San Diego and Riverside counties, and is the author of Senate Bill 1040, which will be heard in the Senate Committee on Education on Wednesday.