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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:
"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.