DREAM Act Dies In New York State Senate

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The New York State Senate Monday killed the DREAM Act in a “razor-thin” mostly partisan vote.
With 32 votes needed to pass, the measure came up two votes short with 30 in support and 29 against.
Had it passed, New York would have become the fifth state to enact the DREAM Act, which would have allowed state financial aid programs to cover the college kids of undocumented immigrants.
“It continues to be a nightmare for the DREAMers,” said Senate bill sponsor Jose Peralta (D-Queens).
Among those who voted against it were two Democrats — Sens. Ted O’Brien of Rochester and Simcha Felder of Brooklyn.
Felder sits with the chamber’s 29-member GOP conference, which didn’t provide a single vote.
While the Daily News reported last week that a vote was expected even though the measure likely didn’t have the votes to pass, the timing on Monday took many by surprise.
Senate co-Leader Jeffrey Klein, who heads a group of dissident Democrats that jointly run the chamber with the Republicans, said afterward he delivered on his promise to bring the bill to the floor.