A Denver-area college professor who is being accused of bias--and of letting students be bullied and harassed in class over their political views--now is drawing the scrutiny of some prominent lawmakers in the State Capitol.

The Republican legislators are demanding immediate corrective action be taken in the wake of allegations by students that Metro State College adjunct Professor Andrew Hallam told his English Composition students to write an essay critical of Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Sarah Palin. As reported this week by Denver's KCNC-TV Channel 4, students are also accusing Hallam of singling out Republican students and holding them up to ridicule by classmates.

Students also are saying that Hallam, who has declined to comment to the news media amid the uproar, is known for his expletive-laced, political diatribes. According to the Website worldnetdaily.com, he once declared, "(President George W.) Bush-bashing is one of my favorite things to do." The allegations have left lawmakers shaking their heads in disbelief.

"Good grief, this is supposed to be an English class," said the GOP's Sen. Mike Kopp, of Littleton. "Once again, it looks like an academic at a publicly supported college in our state is using his classroom as a soapbox for his personal politics. And he is trampling on students' free speech in the process--actually telling them what opinions they are allowed to express."

Added Kopp, "Given the high cost of tuition these days, you would think these students--and their parents--could expect more for ther money."