LYNN – State Rep. Kathi-Anne Reinstein Monday urged Gov. Deval Patrick to respect a legislative vote two years ago denying instate tuition to illegal aliens.Patrick thinks giving illegals a break on public college tuition could bolster higher education enrollment and, in turn, improve the economy. But Reinstein blamed the parents of young people seeking tuition breaks with not meeting citizenship requirements so that their children could qualify for the reduced tuition.Instate tuition at public colleges like the University of Massachusetts is several times lower than tuition rates for out of state students.”It’s not fair to those trying to save for tuition. I respect the governor but the Legislature spoke on this and was not for it,” Reinstein said.State Rep. Robert Fennell said Patrick’s effort to resurrect the tuition issue represents an effort “to usurp the legislative process.” He voted against instate tuition for illegal immigrants in 2006.”We’re not trying to deny them the right to go to college. We’re saying. ‘If you’re not a resident, not documented, you have to pay out of state tuition.’ It’s no fault of their own. Many of them are the children of undocumented immigrants,” Fennell said.The five candidates jockeying for the 8th Essex District state representative seat vacated by Douglas Petersen are split on Patrick’s proposal.Attorney Mark Barry, who is an independent, said he sees pros and cons to Patrick’s proposal.”At first blush I would say no to in-state tuition for illegal immigrants,” he said.”However, we do need everyone who is here educated, so I’m kind of in the middle on this one. Let’s educate everyone so we don’t have illegal immigrants on the street committing crimes because they can’t get jobs but we need to tie it to a plan to address their illegal status.”Swampscott Democrat Cesar A. Archilla, who is an attorney, said he views instate tuition as an education, not an immigration issue.”I understand that it’s a pretty contentious issue. I view the issue as an issue of education policy, not immigration policy. I support the governor’s position in spirit because as leaders we should be engaged in the business of promoting education and promoting an educated work force, not discouraging education.”Marblehead Democrat Lori Ehrlich, who is a CPA and known as an environmental activist, said she agrees with Patrick’s proposal to allow in-state tuition rates for illegals because she doesn’t believe in punishing children for the actions of their parents.Marblehead Republican John Blaisdell, who is a retired police officer andcurrently self-employed in the mortgage industry, disagrees. He said theissue boils down to economics and taxpayers are already paying to educate illegal immigrants in the public school system.”We can’t even fund our public schools,” he said. “Now we want to fund their (illegal immigrants) college tuition out of taxpayer dollars. We cannot do that.”Former FBI Agent and Marblehead Republican Tanya DeGenova said as a first generation immigrant she is opposed to Patrick’s proposal. She said America needs to embrace all legal newcomers but illegal immigrants do not pay taxes and have no rights to state benefits.