The much despised DREAM Act law which will award millions of dollars in scarce taxpayer funds to illegal alien students in California state colleges will hopefully be overturned in the 2012 election if enough voter signatures can be gathered over the next few months to place it on the ballot.
Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Twin Peaks) has gotten approval from the Secretary of State for the exact wording that will appear on the printed petitions. The referendum website, StopAB131.com says that the petitions will be printed on Tuesday, with delivery around the state to follow. Concerned citizens who want to volunteer their time or money may do so through the website.
Member Donnelly appeared on the John and Ken radio show on Friday [Listen] to update listeners about the project. He is very pleased with the high level of enthusiasm on the part of the public, and said the effort was “well on the way to 10,000 volunteers,” further remarking that his office can hardly keep up with the interest. Parents in particular are furious when their kids are not eligible for state financial aid while foreigners get an expensive array of benefits.
The petition drive has until January 6 to gather around 700,000 signatures, a number which includes wiggle room for ineligible signers.
If successful, getting the issue on the November 2012 ballot could make the state election the most interesting one in years.
Here are more details from Sacramento:
Effort to overturn California Dream Act hits the streets, Sacramento Bee Blog, October 21, 2011
Opponents of a new law that allows illegal immigrants to receive college financial aid were given the green light to begin collecting signatures for a referendum to overturn the measure, Secretary of State Debra Bowen’s office announced today.
Led by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Twin Peaks, referendum backers hope to halt implementation of the California Dream Act. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the measure Oct. 8.
Donnelly’s group has until Jan. 6 to collect valid signatures from 504,760 registered voters. Donnelly has said he hopes to wage a largely volunteer effort fueled by social media and talk radio.
Assembly Bill 131, written by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, will allow undocumented immigrant college students who already qualify for in-state tuition rates to receive state-funded financial aid, including Cal Grants. Qualified students must have attended California high schools for at least three years and graduated.
The measure is scheduled to take effect in 2013. If Donnelly succeeds in securing the signatures, the measure would be halted until it can be decided by state voters next year.
