On Immigrant High School Students

Maryland, led by state legislators Neil Parrot and Pat McDonough, collected over 111,000 (Baltimore County had the most signees) signatures in an effort to repeal the Dream Act.  This act, if supported, would allow children of undocumented (not illegal) immigrants to attend Maryland community colleges at in-state costs.  And too, these students must have lived in Maryland for three years, graduated from a Maryland high school, and have proof of the student or his/her family having paid taxes over the past three years. And we are talking about cutting tuition rates in community colleges.

So what's the problem?  Parrott and McDonough claim it would cost the Maryland taxpayers over $3 million or an estimated $.75 per Maryland taxpayer. Funny, no state legislator complained when state fees were doubled, nor did they create a petition about the flush tax, and legislators have shown no desire to replace the punitive property tax with anything. There is no ground swell movement to end two wars, the Chesapeake Bay is still not cleaned, but state legislators are happy with their salary, healthcare program, and pension benefits they receive from the state for doing a part time job.  And when they become unhappy with these entitlements, they change the law and no one files a petition to repeal the legislation. But, ask Maryland taxpayers to cough-up $.75 each to help some kids in their education costs and suddenly we're talking about being un-American.

And here's a final rub. In the Sun, a sports page article claimed that the University of Maryland football and basketball coaches make a combined $3.9 million per year. The football coach has a six year contract, and the basketball coach has an eight year contract. The university athletic industry has become financially lucrative--and realistically big business-- but nothing is returned to the students. In fact, University of Maryland students pay an activity fee which helps to support the athletic programs, but these investors (students) get nothing in return, but the CEOs (coaches) get hugher salaries. Does this process sound familiar?

Surely funds from the un-taxed-university-athletic-industry could reduce tuition costs for all students including children of undocumented immigrants.