Counties fight tuition discounts
moncler outlet serravalle Although the Maryland General Assembly recently granted college tuition discounts to illegal immigrants, the conservative governing bodies in Carroll moncler outlet online shop and Frederick counties are encouraging residents to sign petitions challenging the law. moncler outlet serravalle
moncler donna The county commissioners’ move on official letterhead and websites comes piumini moncler as petition organizers face a key deadline. By Tuesday, they must present the state with 18,500 valid piumini moncler outlet signatures to continue their drive to get a referendum moncler bambino saldi on outlet moncler the law next year. moncler donna
The commissioners say their effort is justified because the new law would drive up costs at local community colleges. But their statements have raised concerns among some ethics watchdogs and political groups, who say the officials are politicking with taxpayer resources.
piumini moncler uomo “If they want to advertise their position, they should do so with own campaign accounts,” said Susan Wichmann, director of Common Cause piumini moncler saldi Maryland. “They wrote this release on government letterhead and on government time.” piumini moncler uomo
piumini moncler outlet In the Carroll County news release, the five member, all Republican board “encourages citizens moncler saldi outlet to say ‘No’ to legislation that moncler outlet would provide in state tuition discounts for illegal immigrants.” The release provides a link to the petition and ends: “Act Now!” and “You can make a difference.” piumini moncler outlet
Richard S. Rothschild, president of the board, said the news release “is merely an expression moncler saldi uomo of the political views of the commission. I believe it is absolutely appropriate. As commissioners, we have to weigh in on state issues all the time.”
moncler saldi outlet Officials with the State Board of Elections said nothing in election law prohibits the issuing of such releases. moncler saldi outlet
outlet moncler The Dream Act, which Gov. Martin O’Malley has signed into law, piumini moncler scontatissimi offers illegal immigrants in state tuition for post high school education but with limitations, including the requirement that students enroll first in Maryland community colleges. Fiscal analysts have estimated that the law will cost $3.5 million by 2016, though critics say that number is too low. outlet moncler
piumini moncler saldi “Tuition at these community moncler outlet trebaseleghe colleges is artificially low and must be subsidized by taxpayers,” said moncler bambino outlet Rothschild. “Why should we subsidize families with no legal residency standing?” piumini moncler saldi
moncler outlet trebaseleghe Blaine Young, president moncler saldi of the Frederick County board, which is also all Republican, said the county budget includes moncler uomo $13 million for the community college. moncler outlet trebaseleghe
“We want to make tuition affordable for our citizens, not for illegal aliens,” Young said. “This issue is all about money.”
moncler saldi uomo Proponents of the moncler outlet serravalle measure say that many children of illegal immigrants are already entitled to the tuition break. citizens. moncler saldi uomo
moncler uomo “It is important that people read the legislation and understand it,” said Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for O’Malley. “In most moncler outlet online uomo cases, these are students who have come through the public school system. They stayed in Maryland and have contributed to the economy. They want to succeed and are willing to work hard.” moncler uomo
moncler outlet online shop If petition organizers obtain the 18,500 signatures required by Tuesday, they face another hurdle. If the issue is to appear on the next statewide ballot in 2012, 55,736 valid signatures the equivalent of 3 percent of voters in the last gubernatorial election must be collected by June 30. moncler outlet online shop
moncler bambino saldi The tuition law is scheduled to take effect July 1. But if the petition drive is successful, the measure would be put on hold until the November 2012 election. moncler bambino saldi
moncler outlet Del. Neil C. Parrott, a Washington County Republican, said petition organizers have collected 25,000 signatures already and are moncler donna pushing for another 10,000 by Tuesday’s deadline. moncler outlet
“We want to be absolutely certain we have more than enough valid signatures to continue moving forward,” Parrott said. “We are even contacting signers where we see errors and asking them to resubmit.”
moncler bambino outlet Del. her comment is here https://www.moncleroutlet-i.org moncler outlet Pat McDonough, a Baltimore County Republican, said the petition has bipartisan support across the state. moncler bambino outlet
moncler outlet online uomo “In the beginning, about 80 percent of the signers were Republican,” McDonough said. “Now it is 50 50.” moncler outlet online uomo
moncler saldi Carroll officials said in their release that the Dream Act “will increase the cost of education for families who obey the law.” Officials added that the legislation rewards illegal behavior and “provides an incentive to attract more illegal immigration.” moncler saldi
piumini moncler “This legislation is troubling parents who are legal citizens,” said Rothschild, who has signed the petition. piumini moncler
piumini moncler scontatissimi Frederick’s release, which used much the same language, piumini moncler uomo added that the measure “will attract more illegal immigration.” piumini moncler scontatissimi.