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Effort to Repeal DREAM Act Failed in California

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tim donnellySome good news from California over the weekend:

Critics of illegal immigration announced Friday that they were unable to obtain the needed 500,000 petition signatures to ask voters to repeal the California Dream Act.

The two-part measure, which allows undocumented immigrants access to both public and private financial aid at UC and Cal State campuses and at community colleges, was signed into law last year by Gov. Jerry Brown.

The failure “is disappointing news,” said Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-San Bernardino), the public face of the initiative drive, in an email to supporters.

As that LA Times article noted, “It was a rough week for Donnelly, the Assembly’s only tea party member.” Donnelly got arrested at the Burbank airport for trying to carry a loaded handgun on to a plane, which is, in fact, illegal:

A state Assemblyman caught with a handgun in his carry-on bag at Ontario International Airport Wednesday morning said later that he forgot the firearm was in his bag.

Tim Donnelly, R-Twin Peaks (San Bernardino County), was cited and released after the incident, which occurred at 7:45 a.m. at an airport security checkpoint as Donnelly was heading to Sacramento for the start of the legislative session.

Transportation Security Authority officials said Donnelly was carrying a loaded Colt Mark IV .45 caliber handgun in his carryon bag along with four rounds in a magazine inserted in the gun. He also had another separate magazine with an additional five rounds, said TSA spokesman Nico Melendez.

Airport police spokeswoman Sgt. Belinda Nettles said officers initially cited Donnelly for carrying an unloaded firearm but are amending the misdemeanor charge to reflect that the gun was loaded. The weapon was booked at Ontario Police Department, and Donnelly will appear in court at a later date, Nettles said.