In-state tuition petition attracts tens of thousands of Democrats
Nearly one out of every three people who signed a petition opposing the Maryland Dream Act are registered Democrats, according to data from the state board of elections.
The information backs up contentions by GOP Del. Neil Parrott and others that the Republican-led effort to repeal the law has bipartisan support. The state board of elections on Friday said that enough valid signatures were collected to trigger a referendum on the law in 2012.
The party identification data tracks with figures from an initial batch of petitions due at the end of May. The opponents of the new law turned in a total of 108,923 valid signatures. Just over 32,000 came from Democrats.
The law would allow illegal immigrants access to the same discounted in-state tuition at Maryland's colleges and universities that legal residents pay. Undocumented students would have to prove their parents filed tax returns and show that they'd attend a Maryland high school for three years. It was supposed to be enacted in July, but has been suspended because of the referendum.
There's been no polling (that I'm aware of) on the in-state tuition law. But, if the voter registration trends from the petition hold, the law could be in trouble. Should the GOP vote en mass against the bill and pick up one third of the state's Democrats, the law would theoretically lose by about 140,000 votes. (Of course, that assumes perfect turnout. Email me if you are dying to see the math.)
The information backs up contentions by GOP Del. Neil Parrott and others that the Republican-led effort to repeal the law has bipartisan support. The state board of elections on Friday said that enough valid signatures were collected to trigger a referendum on the law in 2012.
The party identification data tracks with figures from an initial batch of petitions due at the end of May. The opponents of the new law turned in a total of 108,923 valid signatures. Just over 32,000 came from Democrats.
The law would allow illegal immigrants access to the same discounted in-state tuition at Maryland's colleges and universities that legal residents pay. Undocumented students would have to prove their parents filed tax returns and show that they'd attend a Maryland high school for three years. It was supposed to be enacted in July, but has been suspended because of the referendum.
There's been no polling (that I'm aware of) on the in-state tuition law. But, if the voter registration trends from the petition hold, the law could be in trouble. Should the GOP vote en mass against the bill and pick up one third of the state's Democrats, the law would theoretically lose by about 140,000 votes. (Of course, that assumes perfect turnout. Email me if you are dying to see the math.)
It was also noteworthy that Democrats were slightly less likely to go a sophisticated new website that Parrott created to generate petitions. The website caught the attention of the Maryland ACLU, which raised questions about whether the method would pass constitutional muster.
According to the state board, one in four internet generated petitions came from Democrats. Sixty percent were Republicans. He is saving his list of names and re-purpose the site for other repeal efforts.
Parrott's website can be credited with collecting one third of the valid signatures for the effort. It's a big number, but as it turns out so many people signed the petition that opponents would have been successful even without it.
According to the state board, one in four internet generated petitions came from Democrats. Sixty percent were Republicans. He is saving his list of names and re-purpose the site for other repeal efforts.
Parrott's website can be credited with collecting one third of the valid signatures for the effort. It's a big number, but as it turns out so many people signed the petition that opponents would have been successful even without it.
Comments
Doesn't surprise me one dang bit. Let this be a lesson to our governor. He will get the same headache if he pushes the gay marriage bill down our throats. But then again, our governor doesn't care what the people think. So sad.
Posted by: Carole | July 25, 2011 2:18 PM
It is encouraging to participate in an action that got responses from both sides of the aisle. It supports my feeling that I was right in my belief.
It is confusing when other issues don't get the same amount of scrutiny.
Don't forget, they built the 2nd Bay Bridge (even after it was defeated in a reforendum). So stay vigilant.
Posted by: BMAC1206 | July 25, 2011 2:23 PM
Years ago, when collecting signatures for referendum on other matters, I found that many people would sign anything that would put a question on the ballot for a vote by the people. I believe a lot of people, Democrats or Republicans, signed this petition for that reason. Nevertheless, I believe the law's opponents will be able to frame what it would do in such a way as to make upholding it nearly impossible. Anyway, this should be one of the few causes of political excitement in Maryland next year.
Posted by: Ken Stevens | July 25, 2011 2:28 PM
Now what we need to do is make / let Casa De Maryland spend all there money on this fight and watch it pas in the 2012 election. Maybe then this crimminal activity will leave the State. Let them come here correct or be deported. As for the catholic church giving money to cover the leagal fees i hope people who give stop until the Bishop learns he should not get involved in politics.
Posted by: Joe-Ball | July 25, 2011 2:37 PM
Hopefully this is the beginning of people getting more involved in government again, I'm glad citizens stepped up and voiced their opinion against the government that has acted so irresponsibly.
Posted by: Dom | July 25, 2011 2:44 PM
Why don't we put everything to referendum and do away with representation? Heck, we've got the Internet now. And it's on computers!
Posted by: bigterpfan1 | July 25, 2011 2:53 PM
Ken Stevens says "I believe the law's opponents will be able to frame what it would do in such a way as to make upholding it nearly impossible"
The supporters have already done the false framing of the issue.
First it was "they must pay taxes" and that took weeks to correct in THIS NEWSPAPER with nearly every story on it.
Then it was a "right wing" issue.
Then it was only bigots and racists who were signing.
It took weeks to set the story straight and the truth finally prevailed.
Now it WILL BE THE supporters who again attempt to re-frame it into a race issue as Casa de Maryland already has.
As the lies continued to spread, and the people saw the truth, the signatures continued to pour in.
The petition for this law made Maryland history. Never before has there been the numbers and the success of such a petition.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 25, 2011 3:07 PM
CASA of Maryland, a group that gets MILLIONS of TAX dollars a year teaches ILLEGAL Immigrants how to take tax paid benefits, GET ID cards, Avoid Police, Interfere with investigations. Basically encourages Illegal Immigrants to bum rush Maryland. OMalley is VERY close to this group and has members of this radical group to help him during elections. This "Dream Act" was pay back from OMalley to this group. Typical OMalley back room deals which hurts ALL Americans ! Google Martin OMalley Illegal Immigrtation or google Martin OMalley Casa of Maryland. They want to FLOOD Maryland with these Illegals for votes. Time to get OMAlley OUT. Join us Admin@protectourborder.net !! Also visit www.numbersusa.com and www.protectourborder.net
Posted by: Anonymous | July 25, 2011 3:22 PM
Like Carole said, this don't surpass me one dang bit. I say I say, yous better to the god fearing people of this great state.
Posted by: Ted Nugent | July 25, 2011 3:22 PM
CASA of Maryland, a group that gets MILLIONS of TAX dollars a year teaches ILLEGAL Immigrants how to take tax paid benefits, GET ID cards, Avoid Police, Interfere with investigations. Basically encourages Illegal Immigrants to bum rush Maryland. OMalley is VERY close to this group and has members of this radical group to help him during elections. This "Dream Act" was pay back from OMalley to this group. Typical OMalley back room deals which hurts ALL Americans ! Google Martin OMalley Illegal Immigrtation or google Martin OMalley Casa of Maryland. They want to FLOOD Maryland with these Illegals for votes. Time to get OMAlley OUT. Join us Admin@protectourborder.net !! Also visit www.numbersusa.com and www.protectourborder.net
Posted by: Steve Hampton | July 25, 2011 3:24 PM
@Carole... You said it! I couldn't agree with you more!!!
Posted by: GM | July 25, 2011 3:26 PM
The Same Sex Marriage bill WILL pass and if there is a referendum drive there will be MUCH greater resistance to that effort to repeal than there was to this tuition bill. We will be MUCH better organized than the folks in favor of the tuition bill.
Posted by: Mark | July 25, 2011 3:28 PM
Carole has it wrong.
While there may be some of the same people among those against the rights to gay marriage (or union) and those against abuse of our generosity by those whose presence here is predicated on an illegal act... the relationship is coincidental.
Gay marriage and a few other hot button social issues are about asserting and if necessary expanding the rights of CITIZENS to act or just to be.
Posted by: MrRational | July 25, 2011 4:18 PM
One day we will all treat others with love and respect and take care of the down trodden and disaffected people in our communities, especially children. We will be people of honor. I hope it will be soon but I have my doubts.
Posted by: JC | July 25, 2011 4:27 PM
all you clowns who voted Gov. Bob out probably feel like real El Stupidos by now
Posted by: Jerry | July 25, 2011 4:28 PM
http://video.pbs.org/video/1990150738
PBS's veteran broadcaster Bonnie Erbe
has produced an award-winning two-part TV series on immigrations impact on health care reform and the poverty rate.
Many of you are already aware of some of staggering effects of mass immigration on health care and poverty. For instance:
71 percent of the increase in American uninsured since 1989 is the result of immigrants and their children.
57 percent of immigrant households (both legal and illegal) with children use at least one welfare program.
The PBS video provides an opportunity to educate friends, family and all kinds of civic and political groups about the ways in which immigration impacts these critical public policy issues.
We encourage you to watch this show.
Posted by: jecjec | July 25, 2011 4:45 PM
"I believe the law's opponents will be able to frame what it would do in such a way as to make upholding it nearly impossible. "
The proponents of this bill including the Baltimore Sun has already attempted the misinformation drive.
It took weeks and weeks for the BS and the proponents to finally get it right about FILING TAX RETURNS vs, PAYING TAXES.
We saw Casa harassing petition signers and collectors.
We saw all the "this is a right wing" effort to the "this is a racist effort" to "only bigots will sign the petition".
Now we see none of it was true.
Posted by: Sam | July 25, 2011 4:52 PM
we Will be ready to oppose your same sex marriage bill. Bring it on, enough is enough.
Posted by: Li | July 25, 2011 4:53 PM
THANK GOD!!!
I was worried about the people of Maryland !!
I SEE MARYLAND IS IN GOOD HANDS, WITH THE "PEOPLE"!!
IT IS THE DUMB _SS POLITICIANS, IN THIS COUNTRY, WE ALL HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT!!
THE "JUDAS ESS" WILL SELL THEIR MAMA, FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER !!
Posted by: larry.333 | July 25, 2011 4:55 PM
The flaw here is not in the math, but in the assumption that all Republicans will vote against immigrant kids. In fact, immigration – and the DREAM Act in particular – has long been an issue that doesn’t break down strictly along partisan lines. For example, in a poll conducted last year, 80 percent of Democrats expressed support for the DREAM Act, but 60 percent of Republicans did as well. See, http://www.firstfocus.net/sites/default/files/dreampollbreakdown_0.pdf.
I predict the vote on this referendum in 2012 will be very close and that if voters get the information they need they will be able to see past the us-vs-them rhetoric. For example, the law is limited. Only young people who have grown up and attended school in Maryland and whose parents paid state taxes would qualify. Most of those who actually are able to take advantage of the change will be the cream of the crop, individuals who are gifted and super motivated to overcome the barriers they have faced to be able to qualify for college and scrounge up the funds necessary to attend despite not being eligible for student loans or federal or state scholarships. It’s in the interest of all Marylanders to eliminate barriers to education for such young people because of what we will get in return..
Allowing these Maryland children to attend college at in-state rates will require very little investment because the in-state rate they pay will cover most of their costs. As college graduates they will earn more and pay much more in taxes than otherwise, returning the investment many times over. And there will be other intangible benefits as well, including reduced drop out and crime rates. See, http://www.rwu.edu/depository/lpi/lpi-report.pdf, and http://www.c-pe.org/documents/CPETuitionEquityReport.pdf.
Maryland voters are sensible people, and I’m confident they will vote this misguided referendum down when the time comes so that the Maryland DREAM Act can finally go into effect.
Posted by: Sanity Please | July 25, 2011 5:10 PM
I would categorically say without a strong PR campaign the odds of successfully repealing the bill are actually greater than the odds against repealing the bill. For starters, the organizers had little trouble accumulating well over the required number of signatures and the majority of those collections were actually in person (roughly 1/3 was via online printed/mailed-in forms). So 5% of the population has already de facto voted against the bill. They need 45% more +1. Ask me if I would have written this three months ago and I would have laughed at you. Right now the average Marylander (who actually is registered with neither party) does not support providing taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal immigrants, even if they were raised in Maryland. Proponents of the bill were unwise to cast repeal efforts as fringe groups because they offended a large segment of the population.
Posted by: JD | July 25, 2011 5:35 PM
I vote Republican 90% of the time. I am also of mixed Latin and Anglo/WASP heritage. I signed the Dream Act petition. The Latin side of the family immigrated here legally. I obtained and paid for my college education legally. The Dream Act does nothing but encourage and reward illegal and bad behavior.
Now, for Gay Marriage, I could care less. What two consenting adult do is there own business, not mine. While I have nothing but disdain for our current Teflon Leprechaun Governor, if Gay Marriage does pass next year and a referendum were to follow, I would likely vote against repeal.
Please don't confuse the two issues. One is about rewarding illegal behavior, the other is an issue of a civil right.
Posted by: Libertarian Republican | July 25, 2011 7:03 PM
"One day we will all treat others with love and respect and take care of the down trodden and disaffected people in our communities, especially children. We will be people of honor. I hope it will be soon but I have my doubts.
Posted by: JC"
I love your sentiments. BRAVO!
Take a bow. If you are suggesting this country has not treat others with "love and respect and take care of the down trodden and disaffected people in our communities, especially children" I say, WHAT?
Posted by: Sam | July 25, 2011 7:11 PM
There is THIS poll. Not directly related to the in-state tuition bill. And I was one of the democrats that used the on-line system.
The Pulse Opinion Research poll found that:
73% of Maryland voters say illegal immigration has a negative impact on the state. Only 20% believe it has a positive impact on Maryland.
77% of Maryland voters believe illegal aliens have a negative impact on the state budget, versus only 15% who believe their impact is positive.
65% of Maryland voters believe that illegal immigration harms the state's schools. Only 18% believe illegal immigration has had a beneficial effect on education.
55% believe illegal immigration should be reduced through better enforcement of immigration laws. Only 36% of Maryland voters favor amnesty or legalization for current illegal aliens.
Posted by: Skippy134 | July 25, 2011 7:35 PM
Seriously? If you payed taxes and attended Maryland schools why shouldn't you receive the same educational opportunities as someone else who payed taxes and attended Maryland schools? Illegals (and the LEGAL immigrants that will benefit from this bill) don't receive financial aid, most scholarships, loans, or in most cases, jobs. How many do you truly think will get through college?
Stop with the bigotry and allow these people to get their education.
After all, they payed their taxes.
Posted by: Peace | July 26, 2011 10:38 AM