With about 10 days to go until a critical first deadline on an effort to repeal in-state tuition for illegal immigrants, organizers say they've seen bipartisan support for the effort, reporting that Democrats account for about one-quarter of the people who have downloaded the petition online.
Del. Neil Parrott, a Washington County Republican who is leading the signature drive, has not said how close petitioners are to the 18,500 signatures required by May 31. Today he said the effort is "on track," while acknowledging it "needs a surge" to meet his goal of 35,000 signatures to hand over to the State Board of Elections.
Parrott is seeking the higher number of signatures because strict petition requirements mean the board ends up tossing as much as one-third of them for technical reasons, including a signer's name not matching his or her voter registration information.
Aside from assurances from Parrott and other organizers that the petition drive is going well, there's no real way of knowing how close they are. Parrott said petitioners will be collecting names at Preakness tomorrow, and they've hit numerous local festivals and community meetings across the state.
Casa de Maryland this week held its own event, featuring Lt. Giv. Anthony Brown, to discuss the merits of the tuition measure.
If the board determines petitioners have met the 18,000-signature benchmark, they can continue collecting. The full petition -- containing more than 55,000 signatures -- would then be due by the end of June.
Why not make them become citizens before they attend college. Because they dont want to become citizens. Most illegals are here long enough to send money home and retire back in Mexico a rich man from our dollars. Some of their parents have been here long enough to try and become citizens. Just seems to me the sponsor of the bill is looking out for the possible votes rather than the interest of the state. If he is looking out for the illegals, then how come he hasnt proposed legislation to help illegals become citizens easier. Becoming a citizen then requires you to pay taxes. I have no problem with someone furthering their education but not illegals at my cost. If they were taxpayers that is a different story. And paying taxes for 3 years isnt enough. They should have proof of paying taxes for at least 10 years. If you are illegal and your child attends public schools you should be paying taxes. Thats a good way to find illegals. Their child has to enroll in school with a mailing address. Bam there you go. Load em up and ship em back. Sorry but my ancestors came here the right way and gained citizenship why arent they mandated to do the same. I understand that this is the greatest place on earth and everybody wants a piece of the pie but there ways about doing it. Not sneeking across the border and taking our jobs and mooching off the system. There are enough people mooching off the system that are already citizens.
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