Put the Maryland Dream Act to Referendum
Del. Joseph "Sonny" Minnick doesn't support the Maryland Dream Act. The bill offers in-state tuition for illegal residents who've attended Maryland schools and have a guardian paying taxes. He wants the measure put to referendum.
The Maryland Dream Act would offer in-state tuition to illegal residents who have attended Maryland schools and have at least one guardian paying taxes.
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During my time representing you in Annapolis, I’ve made my views clear on issues of major statewide policy: Citizens should have their say before sweeping decisions are made by a powerful few in our state’s House and Senate.
As many of you are painfully aware, Maryland lawmakers narrowly passed a bill late in the 2011 legislative session that would give college tuition breaks to undocumented immigrants, not just legal state residents. The legislation gained steam throughout the General Assembly, and despite vocal opposition from Democrats and Republicans alike, the measure passed by seven votes in the Senate, and just 11 votes in the House of Delegates.
Just as I supported voter referendums from the contentious gambling issue lawmakers grappled with for so long, I supported the effort to collect enough petition signatures in the coming weeks for the DREAM Act, as the bill is called, to be on the 2012 ballot. That way, voters across the state can say yes or no to a law that would cost Maryland millions just as we’re recovering from one of the worst economic crises in state and national history.
And no matter how supporters of the DREAM Act spin it, these millions of dollars in college tuition would go to men and women who reside in our state illegally. There’s no way around that. This year in Annapolis, a substantial number of constituents—and others who do not live in our district—called my office to voice their strong opposition to this measure.
Advocates of putting the DREAM Act on next year’s ballot face an uphill battle, but one I know we can win. A website, mdpetitions.com, is at the forefront of the effort to create a ballot measure for 2012. According to the site, more than 55,000 signatures are needed by the end of June or there’s no way to fight back against this expensive and nonsensical legislation.
I urge you to visit the site today, and tell friends, family and co-workers to follow suit. Sign your name to the worthwhile cause, and if you have the means or extra time, volunteer to collect signatures in your neighborhood, or donate to help DREAM Act opponents follow through and get the necessary number of signatures to keep the effort moving forward until enough signatures are collected.
The bill being fought allows illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at our community colleges. If they earn 60 credits from the college, they become eligible for exemption from paying nonresident (out-of-state) tuition at a public higher education institution in Maryland.
I question why students from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other states who chose to attend Maryland colleges are required to pay out-of-state tuition and undocumented immigrants are not. This does not make sense.
Four-year colleges have a limited number of entrance slots for aspiring out- of-state and in-state residents. To allow for illegal immigrants to attend one of our universities or colleges, officials will reduce the number of out-of-state slots allowed to each school. The cost to the state and universities, at this time, is unknown. Millions of dollars could be put on the backs of hardworking taxpayers and colleges if this legislation is not stopped.
Besides the valid arguments against providing in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, there is a laundry list of reasons to sign the petition. In-state tuition at the University of Maryland College Park campus is about $8,400 annually, while out-of-state students pay more than $24,000 a year. Simple math shows you that there is a $16,000 difference that will be subsidized by Maryland taxpayers at a time of slow but steady economic recovery.
Many of our state’s colleges and universities are filled to capacity with students, as enrollment has spiked during our country’s economic struggles. Working adults are flocking back to the classroom to boost their resumes while they’re unemployed or underemployed. Lecture hall seats should be available to them—legal residents—rather than undocumented men and women.
Opposition to the DREAM Act won’t go away, no matter how much supporters of the law hope it will. We’re here to say—both Democrats and Republicans who support common sense policies—but without your help, and your signature at mdpetitions.com, the DREAM Act won’t make its way to the 2012 ballot.
You deserve the final say on this.
Matthew Enders
11:09 am on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
This bill sucks! Thank you Sonny for opposing it. I'll sign the petition.
amdactivist
8:49 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
But he also voted against the Legit id bills for illegal aliens among other issues.. He's trying to jump on board a bit late..
http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=24964&can_id=6191
amdactivist
9:03 pm on Tuesday, June 14, 2011
I'm still trying to figure out why so many liberals voted against the legit id act. Wonder what would happen if i started using fake or stolen id's like illegal immigrants do? But they do vote for liberal democrats that cater to them don't they!!
Al Reasin
6:51 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Del. Minnick wrote, "I question why students from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and other states who chose to attend Maryland colleges are required to pay out-of-state tuition and undocumented immigrants are not. This does not make sense." What doesn't make sense is why illegals can even attend college at state supported institutions, period. Federal law prevents questioning those who appear illegal in public schools and that may apply to post secondary schools too. But I am paying part of that $1.7 to $2.4 billion of state and local taxes that go to support illegals in MD; so where is my right to question those who "steal" my tax money. I want no part of this national suicide pact being developed by progressives.
amdactivist
7:22 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Minnick should of thought of the Cost when he allowed "illegal criminals" to scam welfare *by voting against the Legit id act for undocumented aliens. A bill that would require the use of real id and not fake ones*.. His voting record says it all. He chose to appease his fellow liberal politician friends and ignore the taxpaying citizens and pandered for the vote & support of illegal aliens and Casa de md. The facts are hidden from the general public who listen to the liberal news in Md.
Erik Salazar
10:18 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Everyone should recognize that education is the key to success. All these young immigrants deserve a chance to better themselves. This bill doesn't allow them to receive free education. It allows them to pay for it to a price they deserve for living in the state they've grown most of their lives, where their parents live. This bill requires all these parents to pay taxes, even though they may be illegal. Don't you think that would bring more revenue to MD? It requires these kids have good moral character. We are not dealing with criminals.
Minnick should not be so near sighted and better look the bigger picture. These young people's only desire is to strive for better education on a state that saw them grow and has let them go to elementary, middle, and high school, why should now close the door to better themselves in college? I'm sure many of you have school friends that are now struggling to get to a good university, but they can't because of their status. They are not as lucky as you and me where we can choose where to go to become who we want to be and contribute to the country and the state we love.
amdactivist
11:04 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Since their parents crossed into america undocumented and started having their anchor babies for profits, taxpayers were forced to pay for them from birth through 12th grade. In Md taxpayers pay in excess of $1billion a year to educate their children. They average more than 5 kids.. Taxpayers subsidize the difference between instate costs and normal college costs. It is not about kids. Its about adults now and we taxpayers are sick of paying for illegal criminals who come to america and get welfare and all that goes with it including energy assistance, sec 8 housing, food.. A drivers license and can't read the signs and take our jobs and they vote.. Voter fraud at its best. As far as them paying taxes, they pay VERY LITTLE.. They use fake ss #'s and id and put down many dependants. A $50k a year job they pay under $1000 in taxes. They are making out better than our citizen taxpayers. We are sick of it. I am sick of hearing its for the kids. The parents have screwed us for years and are sending $60 billion a year back to mexico. Their government loves it!! We pay a high price for them being here illegally. We've lost our jobs, homes, our dignities and can't feed our families. Let the illegal alien parents pay for their own kids. Its about time they start.. Don't you agree?
amdactivist
11:08 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Why can't our citizen kids go to out of state colleges and get instate tuition but illegal aliens want it? FAIR? ABSOLUTELY NOT!! NO CITIZEN SHOULD BE FORCED TO PAY FOR NON CITIZENS NO MATTER HOW PATHETICALLY THEY LOOK OR CRY FOR SYMPATHY. THEY WON'T GET IT FROM US ANY LONGER!! THEY ARE CRIMINALS. Less than 1000 illegal aliens in Md became a citizen last year and we now have est. 500k living here. Why not more citizens? Because it is very productive staying illegal in the corrupt state of Md.. They get it all with our $$ and they want more? bs
Robert Armstrong
11:11 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
ROTFLMAO That's funny. "Average more than 5 kids"
I have never read more erroneous information in one post on any forum. Ever. How do you know how much icome tax ANYBODY pays besides yourself?
Angry Bigots spouting nonsense ar eventually going to be the undoing of this whole anti immigration "movement"
amdactivist
12:04 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Every word I say is true. I know about their income tax they do not pay because of payroll records and seeing for myself their 1099's etc.. Nothing bigot about it. Angry? Absolutely.. Its not an anti immigration movement at all.. It is an anti "criminal illegal alien" movement who lie, cheat and fraud our $$ and take jobs away from our citizens and tax payers. Get over your self. You want prove, we can provide much. Actually just go to our state website. much info their..With the new supreme court ruling, jobs will be hard to come by unless they become citizens with legit id's... will cut out most of the fraud. Md welfare system now at 30% fraud because of illegal alien scams.
http://www.ctnow.com/news/nationworld/sc-dc-court-immigration-ruling-20110526,0,2059385.story
"We call things racism just to get attention. We reduce complicated problems to racism, not because it is racism, but because it works." - Alfredo Gutierrez, political consultant, as quoted by Richard de Uriarte, The Phoenix Gazette, March 14, 1992 (quoted in The ProEnglish Advocate, 1st quarter, 2002)
http://sweetness-light.com/archive/illegal-aliens-steal-billions-via-tax-ids
http://www.fairus.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=16985&security=1601&news_iv_ctrl=1017
Robert Armstrong
12:55 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
If it is indeed true (which it isn't) you shouldn't have any problem giving us a link to a credible website.
Yep, like I posted before, these "anti immigration" people are their own worst enemies.
amdactivist
2:48 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Robert. I will gladly provide links. Fair *provided* is the sight that all government officials use along with PEW.. What do you need verification on? I provided some.. I've been on this subject for many years. I testify in annapolis and wouldn't be credible if i lied.. I do the best I can to inform people since most of our Md elected officials and liberal news papers don't tell you much about the scams.. Like I said before.. I am anti criminal illegal aliens!!
amdactivist
2:52 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Robert. Go to this site and explore our own elected officials on immigration issues. Search carefully because they tend to hide immigration issues linked to other subjects like agriculture. Do Mikulski, Ivey, ramirez, Guttierez, minnick, and others. You will be surprised how they cater to undocumented aliens with our $$$... I'm not talking pennies here. Research also, Casa de Md. Go to their site and see who contributes to them. http://www.votesmart.org/
Robert Armstrong
4:39 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
" Fair *provided* is the sight that all government officials use....." FAIR is as biased as they come. It is part of the Tanton Hate Network.
I am still waiting for you to substantiate the "illegals have more than 5 babies " claim. Sounds like another Tanton claim in support of his Eugenics program.
amdactivist
5:04 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
If Fair is unbiased, why are our elected and government officials using them? Did you check my links provided for the 5+ kids? What site would you believe? Would any site appeal to your lack of common sense?
http://www.numbersusa.com/content/resources/publications/in-news/illegal-immigrants-legal-kids-snarl-policy.
this is another great site to find many answers.
http://people-press.org/
Robert Armstrong
6:11 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
FAIR is not biased. It's very biased. The only people who use them are the anti immigration nut jobs and Faux News.
"NumbersUSA" Youvegottobekidding me! They are a part of the same Tanton based organization of Hate.
That's like asking the KKK what they think about black people and then calling their answer "factual".
amdactivist
8:50 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Robert pedro ramirez, keep your head in the sand. Your not worth anyone's time... Your a lost cause..apparently just another racist bigot who hate american citizens..
Robert Armstrong
11:35 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
I rest my case.
Robert Armstrong
11:43 pm on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
You and "Archie Bunker" Beeler can keep being led around the nose by these people. Here's the truth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvBwuAtetl4
LosAngelesResident
1:56 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Robert Armstrong, I see you are jumping up and down on the couch and misbehaving again. Wow, the lady in the video sounds serious. You blew it Bobby. You were just an amusing but misinformed poster before you "jumped the shark" and landed next to the 9-11 truthers. You and the 9-11 crowd should get together with the nuts who think Hillary Clinton killed Vince Foster and start your own bowling team. Do you want to talk about systemic cultural racism Bobby? Have you ever been to Mexico? I spent 8 months there watching the light skinned Ruling class treat dark-skinned Mexicans, and our African American crew members, like dirt. In latin society, lighter is always better.
Do you remember when the light skinned President of Mexico, Vincente Fox said,"There is no doubt that Mexicans... are doing jobs that not even blacks want to do there in the United States." Wow, a job must be disgusting if "not even blacks" will do it. How do you spell racist Bobby?
NOTHING (did you notice the caps Bobby) upsets the light skinned rich Mexicans more than the thought of having to care for their own citizens, especially the dark ones. What's the point of raping the country of its wealth if you and your light skinned racist compadres can't keep it all. Stupid gringos!
Nice try with the race card Bobby, but the last thing Black citizens in Md. need to do is hitch their wagon to the latino train.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/latino-gang-charged-racial-cleansing-california-town/story?id=13794815
Del. Joseph "Sonny" Minnick
12:09 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
amdactivist!
I am still trying to firgure out the "legit id act" is. I do not recall and bill like that presented on the floor of House for a vote. Maybe you could give me a bill number, since you seem to know so much about what goes on in the Maryland General Assembly. Help me out and provide me with a bill number so I can check it out..........sonny minnick
LosAngelesResident
1:50 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Del. Minnick much of the discussion about the Dream Act seems to center only on the students. I don't read much about the negative impact their parents, siblings, relatives,friends and other illegals are having, and will have on Maryland. This seems like a major missed opportunity to educate the Md. population about the cumulative negative effects of illegal immigration. Even if these students graduate medical school, they will never be able to repay the costs of all the others.
As a Delegate I know you are aware that Victor Ramirez and Casa are interested in growing the latino population any way they can so all the new "persons" will be counted when it's time for any redistricting. I've never met anyone in Md. - I'm from Columbia Md. - who knows that illegal aliens are their equal when it comes time to count all the "persons" in Md. Many members of the California Latino Caucus would have their districts disappear without illegal immigrants being counted. Isn't this something the citizens of Md. would be interested in? All the people I've told in liberal Columbia get upset when they find this out.
By the way, Maryland has been on TV out here, and the largest newspaper in L.A., the spanish language La Opinion has mentioned Maryland. I don't think Marylanders realize that passing the Dream Act is like ringing the dinner bell all across America. Cheers.
LosAngelesResident
5:58 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Del. Minnick, did you or your colleagues see how Arizona is using a great new software program to identify persons whose Taxpayer Identification Numbers don't match their W-2. This is a great way to identify illegal aliens who "pay" taxes by using stolen social security numbers. I'd love to see Victor Ramirez and Casa explain why they are against protecting legal taxpayers in Maryland from fraud and abuse if this were introduced in Maryland.
"According to the Arizona Department of Revenue, about 60,000 Arizona residents used Individual Tax Identification Numbers to file their taxes last year. When the Department of Revenue sampled those returns, between 80 and 85 percent did not match the information provided on the associated W-2 forms. The department did not say exactly how many returns it examined."
http://www.azfamily.com/news/local/Arizona-targets-tax-fraud-with-new-computer-program-119540214.html
Robert Armstrong
11:48 am on Thursday, June 16, 2011
If you truly are a LA resident then why do you care? It doesn't affect you at all.
This is Maryland. What they do in backwardsass Arizona doesn't apply here.
LosAngelesResident
1:52 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Why do I care? It doesn't affect me at all? Do your lips move when you read? Let me stoop to your level...OMG OMG!!!
I'm from Md., I have friends and family in Md and I intend to move back to Md.. Get it. Let me type slower so you can keep up.
What happens in one part of the country has no affect on any other part of the country? So, if Md. passes a Dream Act, no one else will notice, least of all any organizations like La Raza, LULAC, MALDEF, MECHa... Bobby, you are always trying to sneak one by us.
I wonder if other states will notice if Md. defeats the Dream Act. What do you think? That is what really bothers you and your compadres, isn't it. Once the first domino falls, who knows what's next. For me, the fun part is watching all the arrogant latin men go berserk when they get rejected. Nothing gets those mustaches flailing like believing their all important HONOR is being insulted. I live in L.A., and I've worked in Mexico, so I've got lots of experience with the mindset of Ruling Class latinos and their wanna be counterparts in America.
Backwardass (LMFAO Bobby, nice one) Arizona can teach Md. how to deal with illegals. They have a lot more experience.
I'll be in Md. in about a month, lets do lunch. NOT
I've got to go to a friends shop by the Van Nuys airport and help him get some equipment for G.I. Joe II ready to be shipped. They start shooting in Louisiana next month. Those of us who truly live in L.A. sometimes do these things. Bye Bobby.
Robert Armstrong
3:51 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
FAKE!
LosAngelesResident
5:47 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
While it is enjoyable to point out your misstatements about illegal immigration, FAKE! is a little vague, so could you be more specific. Save your ROTFLMAO and FAKE for Facebook Bobby.
Del. Joseph "Sonny" Minnick
7:25 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
LA & ROBERT, COULD I INTERRUPT FOR JUST A MINUTE TO ANSWER LA CONCERN ABOUT JUST DEALING WITH STUDENTS. IN MY OPINION, 'STUDENTS' ARE VICTORS' FIRST STEP. IF THEY WIN THIS ONE, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL BE DEFEATED AT THE POLLS BY THE PEOPLE, "KATY BAR THE DOOR". MARYLAND HAS MOVED SO FAR TO THE LEFT I HAVE BECOME A DINOSUER, (A CONSERVATIVE DEMOCRAT)....HOPEFULLY, WE CAN NIP IT AT
THE BUTT WITH THIS FIRST OF MANY OTHER BILLS TO COME. YOUR LIBERIAL LEANING HOME TOWN IS SPLIT, VERY LIBERAL, VERY CONSERVATIVE. NOW YOU BOYS
CAN CONTINUE YOUR CONVERSATION....GOOD LUCK....
Buzz Beeler
8:42 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Sonny if you run for governor or president, you have my vote. A recent poll conducted by the Washington Post/ABC reports the majority of people polled feel the country is headed in the wrong direction.
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/04/poll-64-say-america-on-wrong-track-highest-level-under-obama.php
The left wing agenda is setting this nation on course for a finical calamity.
If immigration, which was touted as the key to our economic problems it doesn't fit. We are divided more today as any time with the exception of the Civil War.
I live in a very diverse neighborhood where most of the residents don't know their own neighbors because of language barriers, customs, religion politics just to mention a few of the barriers.
Even nations of the same ethnic groups can't get along. The Middle East has been in a basic state of war for thousands of years.
There comes a time when reality must take over and distinguish itself from fantasy as masked in idealism.
How many of us remember when growing up the sacrifices our parents made to give us the opportunities to succeed in life.
This in-your-face we demand is getting old. According to the experts in 35 years this country will be a majority of Hispanics. Our language, and culture will be a footnote in history books.
Robert Armstrong
11:30 pm on Thursday, June 16, 2011
"Nip it at the butt"?? "Dinosuer"??
You are barely literate and which district do you represent? That's embarrassing.
And it's the same blah blah blah from Buzz.
"Immigrants are responsible for everything bad"
"I got fired from the County so the County is bad"
What a Knucklehead!
Buzz Beeler
12:08 pm on Friday, June 17, 2011
The above person claimed to serve in our U.S. Military for most of his adult life. He has not provided and information to back up that claim. That is a cowardly act and shows an utter disrespect to the men and women who proudly serve. To make that false claim borders on criminal conduct if that person wears any uniform representing himself as a veteran or active duty member of our military.
He also claims to speak five languages and cannot provide any evidence to support that statement.
He does not understand English and cannot distinguish the meaning between the words fired and retired.
His false claims regarding his service to our country are despicable and cowardly.
Del. Joseph "Sonny" Minnick
3:31 am on Saturday, June 18, 2011
Robert, My last comment to you....I received this email from a friend that fits you to a Tee....
"Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove he is insured, but not every0ne to prove he is a citizen" ..... put that in your liberal pipe and smoke it.....
Buzz Beeler
9:48 am on Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sonny, not only is this person a left winger, he dishonors our wounded warriors and other men and women of the U.S. Military.
His claim was that he had served most of this adult life in the military and appeared in the areas of conflict in our war on terror.
I challenged him to provide details as to the validity of his statement weeks ago and have never heard from him on this subject again.
He is flirting on the Stolen Valor Act which was signed into law by President Bush to deal with cowards such as this man.
He claims to speak five languages and after months of chiding he provides no evidence. He belittles people who make grammar mistakes while his comments are littered with them.
I would say a person of his ilk is exactly why we have immigration laws. We have enough problems as personified in today's Sun or the overturning of that infamous murder conviction where three young children were almost decapitated. Numerous other members of the family have been involved in criminal activity including one that was murdered.
Sonny, you have shown your ability as a leader to not only lead but to engage as in your comments. To my knowledge you are the only political leader who not only writes a column but also take the time to join the fray.
You have my gratitude and utmost respect.
If you ran for governor, senator or congress, I would vote for you and I think so would a lot of others.