The governor recently signed into law a bill known as the California Dream Act that allows illegal immigrants to receive college financial aid. In response, opponents of the law have begun collecting signatures to have it overturned. Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Twin Peaks, is one of the supporters of the referendum effort. In order to qualify, 504,760 signatures must be collected from registered voters. The Bee points out that “If Donnelly succeeds in securing the signatures, the measure would be halted until it can be decided by state voters next year.”

The Attorney General’s official title and summary for the measure is as follows:

REFERENDUM TO OVERTURN STATE FINANCIAL AID FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS. If signed by the required number of registered voters and filed with the Secretary of State, this petition will place on the statewide ballot a challenge to a state law previously approved by the Legislature and Governor. The law must then be approved by a majority of voters at the next statewide election to go into effect. The law would allow students who are undocumented immigrants and attended a California high school for three or more years, and graduated, to receive state financial aid to attend California universities and community colleges. (11-0050)