Opponents of In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens Seek Md. Ballot Referendum
The Maryland General Assembly passed a bill this year giving illegal aliens access to subsidized in-state tuition rates, but opponents of the measure are seeking a referendum to allow voters to decide whether it should remain law in Maryland.
Maryland State Del. Neil Parrott, Del. Nic Kipke, and other legislators initiated a petition drive to place the question on the November 2012 ballot. Del. Nic Kipke said, "This is a good opportunity for people who are complaining about the direction government is taking to take a proactive step in sending a message to the General Assembly saying 'Enough is enough. This bill doesn't represent the values of me and my family, and I want to overturn what you've done.' "
Proponents must gather 18,500 valid signatures by the end of May and about 58,000 valid signatures by the end of June. Since some signatures are typically ruled invalid, the real goals are 35,000 by May 31st and 100,000 by June 30th. Since no funding sources are underwriting the effort, petition organizers are relying on volunteers to circulate petitions among family, friends and community organizations.
For more information, go to the Maryland petition web site.