A few months ago the California Legislature along with Governor Jerry Brown passed a portion of the California Dream Act which allowed "undocumented students" to receive private grants for their higher education. Honestly I did not really have a problem with this bill. I value the importance of an education, and if people voluntarily choose to donate towards such programs then so be it. However AB 131 which is getting ready to go for a vote before the Senate is a completely different story. This bill would allow "undocumented students" access to taxpayer funded financial student aid.
This changes everything for me. At a time when the California politicians continue scream about our deficits and demand more taxes and cuts to social services—at a time when most Middle Class families (of all races and ethnicities) cannot afford to send their children to college because of skyrocketing tuitions—these guys are about to give our tax dollars away—not even in loans but in grants!?? What!??
For me this just shows how insane my State has become. Where despite a 12%+ unemployment rate, the second highest taxes in the Nation, the worst business climate in the Nation, and massive deficits which have the potential of forcing major cuts to our junior education—they are going to award people who have not contributed anything to the system while denying those that fund it and create an even bigger economic burden that a few years from now they will be crying for more taxes to support! Wow, I guess this is another reason for me to leave this state—thanks a lot assemblyman Gill Cedillo!