Updated

Proponents and opponents alike are signing up to testify before the Senate Budget Committee on the hot-button issue of the day: Whether to grant in-state tuition rates to certain illegal immigrants.

The proposal due to be considered Thursday would grant the cheaper tuition rate to in-state students who were brought to the United States illegally as children.

The Assembly Budget Committee passed a similar bill in June.

Though neither house has scheduled final votes, there is already speculation over whether Gov. Chris Christie would sign the measure. The likely 2016 presidential candidate has made inroads with Hispanic and black voters who typically shun the GOP.

But conservatives who play a big role in selecting the Republican presidential nominee strongly oppose bills that help illegal residents.

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