Maryland Patriots Win Another Round against the Dream Act; California to Follow?

From Maryland last week came encouraging news for Assemblyman Tim Donnelly and his signature gathering effort to overturn A.B. 131 and put the California Dream Act on a 2012 statewide ballot. To learn the latest about Assemblyman Donnelly’s progress, go to his website here.

Two months ago, patriotic Maryland residents gathered 132,000 signatures, more than twice the required total, to send the Dream Act to a general ballot where voters would decide its ultimate fate. The state legislature approved the Dream Act early last spring and Governor Martin O’Malley signed it in May. Like the California law, Maryland’s legislation would allow illegal aliens to receive discounted in-state tuition at public colleges and universities at taxpayer expense.

The subversive pro-illegal alien lobbying organization, Casa de Maryland, led an effort to challenge the Maryland signatures’ validity and sufficiency. But, in anticipation of defeat, they have given up. Instead alien advocates, arguing that it is an appropriations bill, will appeal on the basis of whether it is legal to place the Dream Act on the ballot for possible repeal. [Casa Drops Challenge to Signatures in Dream Act Referendum, by Glynis Kazanjian, Maryland Reporter, December 9, 2011]

Summarizing, Maryland delegate Patrick McDonough said:

"This is the People's Petition and the most historic referendum drive in the state of Maryland. We needed to collect 55,736 valid signatures of registered voters in less than 60 days to send SB 167 to referendum. The citizens submitted over 132,000, and the State Board of Elections validated over 108,000. Today is a great day for the people of Maryland, who are one step closer to voting on the referendum they have clearly asked for and are legally due."

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton, representing Maryland’s citizens added:

"This political lawsuit [brought by Casa de Maryland] is designed for one purpose: to deny Maryland voters a right to have their voices heard on the issue of taxpayer-funded perks for illegal aliens. We are confident the courts will uphold our client’s petition drive and that democracy will not be subverted."

Stated another way, aliens and their advocates filed suit to deny American citizens their Constitutional right to vote.

Maryland Assistant Attorney General Jeff Darsie, speaking on behalf of the Board of Elections, said a hearing will be held in January to begin consideration of the plaintiff’s case.