With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Opponents of California's DREAM Act Fail to Collect Enough Signatures to Put Repeal Referendum on Ballot
Photo by Denisenko via Shutterstock
()
Close, but no cigar: Supporters of a repeal of California's controversial DREAM Act, which enables some illegal immigrants to access public financial aid for higher education, came in at about 60,000 signatures short of what is needed to get a referendum on the ballot.The movement to repeal the DREAM Act was supported by Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, who today released a statement explaining that "447,514 petition signatures were gathered, short of the 504,760 required," reports the OC Register.
Proponents of a referendum got the signature-gathering ball rolling in the fall, and spread the word with a Black Friday campaign event to inspire support to repeal the DREAM act.
The law, sponsored by Assemblyman Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles), allows undocumented immigrants who already qualify for in-state tuition rates to receive state-funded financial aid, including Cal Grants.
Said Donnelly:
Support for LAist comes from
"This is disappointing news, but it is no less of a warning to Governor Brown and every Democrat legislator who voted to create a new entitlement program for illegals while the state still has a budget deficit of over $9 billion, and cannot even meet its obligation to legal California students."
Recognize Donnelly's name from another news story? Yep. He's the Twin Peaks-are Republican who tried to board a flight out of the Ontario Airport with a loaded handgun in his carry-on.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence. -
This is the one time you can do this legally! -
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.”
Best of LAist