Frustrated at what they call the “overall leftward lurch” of the Maryland Legislature, Republican delegates on Wednesday asked Gov. Martin O?Malley to veto at least four bills, though two of the four have only passed the House.
But O?Malley already has said he would sign at least three of the four measures, including one offering in-state college tuition for illegal immigrants who attend high school in Maryland.
The other three controversial bills include: a measure allowing ex-felons to vote once their sentence and probation are up, even if they were convicted of a violent crime; legislation permitting parole for inmates convicted of a second drug-dealing offense; and the bill that would have Maryland?s presidential electors vote for the winner of the national popular vote.
Republicans led vigorous debate against all the measures and picked up dozens of votes from Democrats in swing districts, leading to relatively close votes. The bill on parole for drug dealers even lost on its first tally, and passed by only one vote on reconsideration.
O?Malley has not taken a position on the parole bill, but he has already said he will sign the others.
The governor told reporters last week that the state is already required to educate immigrant children through high school, and not giving them in-state college tuition would “cap their potential.”
“I think that?s squandering the investment we?ve already made in our country and state,” O?Malley said.
House Republican leader Anthony O?Donnell called the bill “very offensive to many Marylanders.”
Del. Ron George, R-Anne Arundel, said the voters have seen “that we do not respect the rule of law.” George?s own bill requiring drivers to show proof of legal residence to get a driver?s license died in committee.
“Maryland is already a target” for illegal immigration, George said.
House Minority Whip Chris Shank, R-Washington, said the 37 Republicans in the House represent the 800,000 voters “who expressed a different view” in the November election, voting for incumbent Gov. Robert Ehrlich. “Our constituents feel that something is out of whack,” Shank said.
The Republicans said they helped force passage of several measures, including Jessica?s Law, which eliminates parole for some sex offenders, and increased penalties for possession of child pornography.
