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Photo courtesy of Dream Team Los Angeles

A California Dream Act supporter's sign at an L.A. demonstration last week

It came down almost to the wire, but California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation that will allow undocumented college students in the state to obtain the same kind of publicly-funded financial aid for tuition now available to U.S. citizens and legal residents.

Late this morning, Brown signed a bill known as AB 131, the second of two bills referred to as the California Dream Act. The signing deadline was tomorrow. The Sacramento Bee published part of a statement from Brown:

“Going to college is a dream that promises intellectual excitement and creative thinking. The Dream Act benefits us all by giving top students a chance to improve their lives and the lives of all of us,” Brown said in a prepared statement.

Both AB 131 and its companion bill, AB 130, were sponsored by Assembly member Gil Cedillo of Los Angeles, who has successfully shepherded similar measures through the legislature in the past, all met with vetoes. While Brown had expressed support for both measures, the time it took for him to sign AB 131, approved by state lawmakers at the end of August, had both supporters and opponents of the bill wondering if he’d decline to sign it.

Part of what made the bill so contentious is that unlike AB 130, which only entitles undocumented students to privately funded grants and scholarships, AB 130 requires the use of state funds. Cedillo’s office has estimated that implementing AB 131 could cost anywhere between $22 million and $42 million, although roughly $13 million of that would come from money that is already set aside for low-income students whose grades qualify them for CalGrants.

As controversial as AB 131 has been, it is not the first state measure allowing undocumented students access to publicly funded tuition aid. According to Cedillo’s spokesman Conrado Terrazas, New Mexico and Texas similarly allow public financial aid for undocumented students, and Illinois has legislation allowing them access to privately-funded tuition aid. Several states – including California – allow undocumented college students who meet state residency requirements to pay less costly in-state tuition rates.

A post earlier this week on whether Brown would sign AB 131 generated more than 70 comments on the Multi-American site, with readers getting into heated debates over the bill. “VETO!” one reader posted last night.

Half an hour ago, a reader identified as Soixantte posted: “Guess what haters? He signed it.”

A recent version of the bill can be downloaded here.

Photo by CSU Stanislaus Photo/Flickr (Creative Commons)

A post earlier this week addressing whether or not California Gov. Jerry Brown will sign a bill making up part of what’s known as the California Dream Act has generated a very long string of comments, an example of how divisive the debate over the bill has become.

The California Dream Act is composed of two measures, one already signed into law by Brown in July, the other awaiting his signature by Sunday’s approval deadline. The first measure, known as AB 130, will grant undocumented college students access to privately funded scholarships and grants; the second, if it becomes law, would allow them to access the same publicly-funded financial aid that other students are able to obtain for tuition.

Part of the rub with the second bill, known as AB 131, is the money. With the state in a financial crisis, even some of those who didn’t mind the first bill oppose this one. The measure could cost between $22 million and $42 million to implement, according to the office of state Assembly member Gil Cedillo, who sponsored both bills. However, roughly $13 million of that would come from money already set aside for low-income students whose grades qualify them for CalGrants.

While there is vocal opposition, not necessarily along party lines, the bill has the widespread support of immigrant and Latino advocacy groups, along with a network of undocumented college students and their supporters. Undocumented students in California may obtain in-state tuition rates, but are presently barred from financial aid.

The comments under Wednesday’s post have ranged from ardent support of AB 131 to outrage that it’s being even considered. A few of the highlights, unedited:

Maldonado wrote:

Photo courtesy of Dream Team Los Angeles

UCLA graduate and California Dream Act supporter Nancy Meza holds petitions in downtown Los Angeles, Wednesday, October 5, 2011

California Gov. Jerry Brown has just four days left to sign or veto a bill known as AB 131, part of what’s called the California Dream Act, before a bill-signing deadline.

Brown has indicated his support in the past for the measure, which would allow undocumented students access to publicly-funded financial aid for college. But with little time left to go – and a history of similar bills being vetoed by former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – the students who would benefit from AB 131 and immigrant advocates are increasing the pressure.

In Los Angeles, student activists organized a small demonstration downtown this morning to deliver petitions to Brown’s local office. Other AB 131 supporters have been circulating petitions online and urging calls to the governor.

No word yet from Brown’s office today on the likelihood that he’ll decide on the bill before Friday, but a spokesman for AB 131 sponsor Gil Cedillo, a Democratic state assembly member from Los Angeles, said the governor has until Sunday.

“The deadline is the 9th, so even if it is a weekend, that is the last day he can sign or veto bills,” wrote Conrado Terrazas, Cedillo’s spokesman, in an email.

The stakes are high and the bill is especially contentious, with supporters and opponents divided along more than party lines.

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