State Senate introduces new version of Dream Act

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Leaders in the Washington state Senate on Thursday introduced their own version of a measure that expands college financial aid for students who are illegally in the country.

Senate Bill 6523 is sponsored by Republican Sens. Barbara Bailey, Joe Fain, Andy Hill, Steve Litzow, Bruce Dammeier and Majority Leader Rodney Tom, the Democratic leader of the predominantly-Republican Majority Coalition Caucus.

The measure, called the "Real Hope Act," is very similar to a measure that passed out of the House, the so-called Washington Dream Act.

That measure, House Bill 1817, passed on a bipartisan vote on the first day of the legislative session that began earlier this month. The measure expands state financial aid for college students in the country without legal status. The Senate proposal allocates $5 million through June 30, 2015, from the state's general fund to pay for the financial aid payments under the state need grant program.

Tom initially had said that the measure wouldn't gain traction in the Senate because his caucus had other priorities.

Emily Murphy, a lobbyist for OneAmerica, an immigrant rights group, said she was heartened by news of the Senate bill.

"If and when it passes it will provide hope and opportunity to a generation of young Washingtonians who have worked their whole lives for this moment," she said.

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