Arizona's community colleges may have the best chance ever of finally being able to offer four-year degrees to their students.

The question of how much it will cost "dreamers'' to get a higher education in Arizona could turn on who the state Supreme Court decides is in this country with "lawful immigration status.''

In a brief order Tuesday, the justices said they want to hear arguments from both the Maricopa County Community College District which has granted in-state tuition and Attorney General Mark Brnovich who contends they are not.

Maricopa Community Colleges have set a public hearing for Tuesday, May 26, to consider a budget that contains no property tax or tuition increases.

A former Arizona legislator has been picked to serve on the board for Maricopa Community Colleges.

Two Dreamers asked a judge today to let them in as defendants and file a counter claim in the state’s lawsuit to stop Maricopa County Community College District from granting in-state tuition to illegal immigrants.

A state senator is accusing the Maricopa Community Colleges board of planning to break the law by reconsidering its tuition rates, a move the legislator said would result in undocumented students paying in-state tuition rates.

Differences of opinion, beliefs and convictions are encouraged to be shared and discussed in a civil society. In higher education, these differences are allegedly encouraged in all venues, from the classroom to the governing board room. Yet conservative viewpoints are not welcomed in the Maricopa County Community Colleges and there are a series of events, including our recent election, that illustrate efforts to silence anything but a liberal perspective.

MESA - The Maricopa County Community College District governing board has decided against raising tuition for the 2010-11 school year.