Chris Christie signs bill granting in-state tuition to N.J. immigrants

[alp227]

Source: The Star-Ledger

TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie today signed landmark legislation granting thousands of students who grew up in New Jersey but are in the country illegally the benefit of in-state tuition rates at all public colleges and universities.

Christie's signature marks the end of a public tug-of-war over the measure, deemed the "Dream Act", which was pared down in its final days in order for Democrats to gain the governor's approval. Both sides hailed the compromise as a historic achievement.

A spokesman for Christie, Colin Reed, said in a statement "the governor signed the legislation privately earlier today, and there will be a public ceremony to follow in the weeks ahead." He said a date and time for the ceremony has not yet been set.

The new law allows unauthorized immigrants who graduated high school in New Jersey after attending that school for at least three years to be eligible for the lower in-state rates at state college and universities, including in-county rates at community colleges.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/12/chris_christie_signs_bill_granting_in-state_tuition_to_nj_immigrants.html

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But of course you've got to look at anything Christie does in the frame of a 2016 presidential campaign. The Republicans can't afford to alienate minorities anymore. They couldn't win with Mitt Romney, who pledged that he would veto the federal DREAM Act as president.

Jerry Brown signed similar legislation to NJ's in California in 2011. Maryland voters passed a DREAM Act via ballot proposition last year. And in 2001, Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed similar legislation.

[MADem]

1. Two thoughts: UNDER THE BUS with him!!! ...and.... HE'S RUNNING!!!!!

The far right will eat him alive, but this move shoves him further towards the mushy middle, where, like it, or not, elections are won. The far right won't carry him to victory, if he can sufficiently bullshit the masses, it'll be "moderate" Republicans, sexist independents and conservative Dems, and low information voters who shove him over the line. He's one of the reasons I intend to work VERY hard at helping the Democratic nominee win.

People who like a blowhard who throws his weight around (even if he's lost a lot of it) will just luuuuvvvvvv Christie. There are a lot of people who confuse VOLUME with capability. He's been biting his tongue trying to appear "reasonable" but thanks to the miracle of video we can still see him in full "wet hen" mode.

Chris Christie is a dangerous opponent--we underestimate him at our peril.

[heaven05]

7. +1000

[pampango]

2. Dream legislation seems to never happen without a Democratic legislature pushing it.

Apparently, Christie was successful in "paring down" the legislation, but kudos to the Democrats in New Jersey for pushing this.

[CFLDem]

3. I'm all for allowing more people the opportunity

to b*tch about student loans!

[RBInMaine]

4. And he just SUNK his chances of winning the right wing primaries and caucuses in 2016.

The right wing base will not accept this, and the right wing opponents will tag this to him BIGTIME.

[cosmicone]

5. Smart move on Christie's part

He will need the Hispanic vote if he wants to race with the clown car of presidential hopefuls who will stupidly attack Christie over this and will be hoisted on their own petard.

[heaven05]

6. this guy really wants to be POTUS

he's appealing to the 'legal' immigrant vote. I think.

[blkmusclmachine]

8. Chris Crispy has 2016 in sight. That's all this stunt means.