Will the second part of the California Dream Act become law? ›
One of two measures that make up what’s referred to as the California Dream Act was released from suspense in a state Senate committee today, and is expected to go to the Senate floor next week for a vote. But unlike AB 130, a companion bill that was recently signed into law, the bill known as AB 131 faces slimmer odds of success.
Both measures aim to make it easier for undocumented college students to pay tuition. AB 130 allowed these students access to previously unavailable privately funded scholarships. AB 131 would grant them access to publicly funded financial aid, the same kind of financial aid now available to students who are U.S. citizens and legal residents. Although undocumented students can qualify for in-state tuition if they meet state residency requirements, they are still barred from public financial aid programs, such as Cal Grants.
[…] Unlike the federal Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, neither of the California bills proposes a path to legal status.
![rabbleprochoice:
I wrote out what I said because I tend to get nervous when I do this. So this is what I’ve said, but I’ve redacted information about my representative so you can insert yours right in.
I have some comments for [my representative] about a bill that was introduced in the House on January 20th.
(The person you speak to will probably say okay)
The name of the bill is the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and I would just like to say that I am extremely disappointed in [my representative’s] support and co-sponsorship of this bill. As a woman, I find it absolutely appalling that [my representative] supports this bill considering that it is redefining rape in a way that I am entirely uncomfortable with.
I would ask [my representative] to think of his wife and what this bill would mean for her or his future granddaughters if they were to ever, God forbid, be drugged and raped. This bill is worded in such a way that if they needed abortions there would be absolutely no assistance for them and I am not comfortable with punishing rape victims for being raped under any circumstance. I’d like to let [my representative] know that I am a registered voter and I vote in every election and that this is not something I am willing to overlook when I’m at the polls the next time he is up for re-election. Finally, I am quite sad that [my representative] would support this bill as it is stepping on women’s rights and reproductive justice. As a female voter, I expected him to care a little more about his female constituents and their reproductive rights. Thank you.
(Once you are done, the aide you speak to will probably ask for your name, address, and phone number, say thank you, and say something along the lines of being sure to pass the message along)
If you don’t like how I worded this or it’s too long for you I recommend hitting these major points:
Mention the name and the date of the bill you are talking about.
Mention that you are a registered voter and that you vote regularly.
Explain that you are uncomfortable with the wording of this bill and what it would mean for rape victims.
Ask that your representative think about their children being raped (yes, this is a personal subject, but we’re going to PUNISH rape victims, make it personal) and being left without any help or support for their care.
Be sure to try and stay calm, do not use expletives (it can be hard, my voice wavered quite a bit, do not feel embarrassed or scared, it’s their job to listen to your concerns and they aren’t going to yell or be aggressive with you).
Love,
Rabble
My rep looks like Chuck Norris AND he’s a co-sponsor. I’m contacting him anyway, but next I’ll be prepared to send in letters to my local paper about how Congressman Chuck Norris hates women. Ugh.](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lfr72oBvKM1qa655no1_500.png)
