Will the California DREAM Act Set Up A Jerry Brown Recall?

The California DREAM Act, championed by the notorious Gil Cedillo, marches on. According to a CAPS’ legislative alert, the assembly passed AB 130 by a 51-21 vote that would give access to financial aid for illegal aliens and also allow community colleges to waive their fees to low income alien students. In March, the DREAM Act cleared its first hurdle when the assembly’s higher education committee passed it, 6-2. As disappointing as these votes are, they come as little surprise in California’s illegal alien friendly environment. Hundreds of students from across the state had testified before the legislature in support of the act. Other Hispanic activists, all familiar names, also voiced their endorsement for the DREAM Act including Dolores Huerta of United Farm Workers, Nativo López of the Mexican American Political Association and various representatives of the California Catholic Conference. While the trend toward the DREAM Act’s passage is unsettling, there’s precedent for killing the bill. Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, acting during much more solvent fiscal eras, vetoed a similar bill three times. And although sitting Governor Jerry Brown indicated during his campaign that he would sign DREAM Act legislation, he also hedged by saying that resolving California’s budget crisis would come first. By signing, Brown would risk a recall by California voters, most of whom are outraged by the idea of a further illegal alien subsidies. Once the DREAM Act reaches Brown’s desk, he has 12 days to act. If Brown fails to sign the bill within 12 days, it automatically becomes law without his signature.