California lawmaker fights to get Dream Act repealed

By Keisha Courtney, KBAK - KBFX - Eyewitness News - BakersfieldNow.comPublished: Nov 17, 2011 at 5:45 PM PST Last Updated: Nov 17, 2011 at 6:43 PM PST

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia, came through Bakersfield Thursday to drum up support to repeal the Dream Act singed by Gov. Jerry Brown last month.

The new legislation would give undocumented immigrants limited financial aid to go to college.

Donnelly is traveling through the Central Valley to get a petition signed that would put the repeal of the Dream Act on the 2012 ballot.

"Why is (Brown) raising taxes on us for something we don't want? That is taxation without representation," Donnelly said.

Locals stopped by the event to sign the petition to repeal the law. But supporters of the Dream Act said it's just a way for the Republican party to drum up support for upcoming elections.

"We need those young people, because they are bilingual and they are very intelligent. We need them to contribute to the economy of our country. For them to try and take something away that people have fought for for so many years, it's mean, it's hateful, and it's divisive," local activist Dolores Huerta said.

More than 500,000 signatures are required in order for voters to be able to vote for the repeal of the Dream Act on the 2012 ballot. Those at the Bakersfield rally said so far they have 303,000 signatures.

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