Tim Donnelly's 'Stop the DREAM Act' Measure Won't Go on California Ballot

By Simone Wilson Fri., Jan. 6 2012 at 1:05 PM

Nice try, bud.

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly has been on somewhat of a lucky streak, what with his laughable non-charges for carrying a loaded gun through airport security.

That's probably because, as noted by LA Weekly's Gene Maddaus, wiggle room in law enforcement "seems to work in favor of state lawmakers, and against guys with names like Memphitz." So the score, as of yesterday, looked to be white politicians, 1; minorities, 0.

Not anymore! Donnelly's signature drive to repeal the DREAM Act, signed by Governor Jerry Brown last fall to give undocumented immigrants access to financial aid, just went in the trash:

Donnelly has announced that his "Stop AB 131" ballot hopeful, which needed over 500,000 signatures to go before voters, was still short by about 57,000 as of today's deadline. (Though it did get some strange local support in Long Beach, if we do recall.)

His statement of defeat is as sheepish and bitter as DREAM Act author Gil Cedillo's is smug:

"This is disappointing news, but it is no less of a warning to Governor (Jerry) Brown and every Democrat legislator who voted to create a new entitlement program for illegals while the state still has a budget deficit over $9 billion, and cannot even meet its obligation to legal California students," Donnelly, R-Twin Peaks, said in a statement.
... "The lesson is clear. California is a state that leads our nation forward, not backward," said Assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, who authored both bills. "We are a state that prides itself on reconciling our differences rather than exacerbating them."

So, barring any more hater campaigns against the DREAM Act, it should go into effect next year. That'll mean an estimated $65 million per year from the California taxpayers, and a world of opportunity for those young illegal immigrants who've worked their way up to college level.

Angelica Salas, executive director for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), is smugger still:

"Once again, Assemblyman Donnelly has wasted an incredible amount of time and resources fighting an education bill he disagrees with instead of meeting the needs of his constituents and other Californians."

No need to rub it in. Donnelly got what was coming to him, and we're just glad it could align so humiliatingly with his big oopsie at the airport this week.

[@simone_electra / swilson@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

DREAM Act, financial aid, Gil Cedillo, illegal immigrants, Tim Donnelly

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bigriggs

Hooray for pandering to the illegals.....

Chris Bennett

This state is getting worse and worse! I don't care where people come from,the ones that are from a particular place should be the first in line no matter what! If it's clear that some will waste it then that is when you kick them out of line and not before! DEATH TO ALL THE MOUTH BREATHERS

Jojo32

LA Weekly? Is that where you can find hookers and strip clubs? Stick to what you do best...homeless blankets.

Rater98

Another self-righteous "journalist"

seanmmcdonald

Tim Donnelly is in no position to legislate. The fact is that Tim Donnelly has not owned up to his mistake... and he should have been thrown in jail and charged with at least one felony in the first place.

Call District Attorney Michael Ramos at 909-387-8309. Tell them you want Donnelly charged with at least one Felony and sent to jail! Had this been anyone else, they would have been sent to jail! 1. no concealed weapons permit. 2. loaded weapon while in public. 3. concealed, loaded weapon while in public. 4. concealed, loaded weapon while boarding an airline jet.

Rater98

If he were Al Shapton (Yes, a black liberal) it would have been over zealous TSA profiling.

Dave Francis

Which Presidential candidate will stop the illegal alien invasion into this sovereign nation? OR DO THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT VOTES AND CHEAP LABOR?

THANKS TO MOSTLY LIBERALS AND DEMOCRATS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAVE BEEN SUCKING ON THE WELFARE NIPPLE FOR DECADES.

Now the Sacramento Liberals are going to steal taxpayers dollars, to pay for people who are criminal outlaws.

Investigate what you can do for 22 million jobless Americanworkers and how to contain President Obama from his discretionary means toalter immigration laws. A new amnesty according to the 'Heritage Foundation'would add another $2.6 TRILLION DOLLARS to the financial U.S. Treasury ceilingof $15 TRILLION DOLLARS and rising daily. We must arrest the abuse of theDepartment of Justice against states, trying to survive, under the welfarebombardment of illegal aliens. Only the TEA PARTY and not the two old, tiredestablished parties will enforce immigration laws. Only the Tea Party willbuild the real two parallel fences, prosecute city officials compliant withSanctuary Cities and additionally restrain a federal DREAM bill. Only the TEAPARTY will press for the mandatory ‘Legal Workforce Act,’ E-Verify andsecondary the ‘Birthright Citizenship Bill.’ Only the TEA PARTY will cut shortany further contempt by this administration for the U.S. Constitution and theundermining of the Congressional voices. Everything you need to know is locatedat these Non-profit, Pro-Sovereignty organizations as NumbersUSA, American Patrol and the Federation of American Immigration Reform (FAIR) websites. The legal website of Judicial Watchwill open up your eyes to the corruption hidden within the confines ofWashington and the state Capitol hierarchy, who are spending trillions of yourdollars with impunity.

JOIN YOUR LOCAL TEA PARTY AND CONTACT THE SENATE AND HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES AND DEMAND MANDATORY E-VERIFY (H.R.2885) AND THE BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP BILL ( H.R.140) CALL THE WASHINGTON AT 202-224-3121

KEEP YOUR VOTE SAFE! ILLEGAL ALIENS WILL VOTE IN ALLELECTIONS.