Diaz: Cuomo Could Do More To Pass DREAM Act

The state Assembly last week passed the DREAM Act, a measure that makes state financial aid for college available to children of undocumented immigrants. But state Sen. Ruben Diaz is pessimistic about its chances in his chamber, where Republicans who share power with the Independent Democratic Conference have opposed the bill.

“I don’t think the governor wants it,” said Diaz, who supports the legislation. “He is not putting the same effort that he put for gay marriage.”

The senator also argued that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s call to offer college courses to prison inmates, an initiative the governor announced during the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus conference this month, was a way to divert attention from the DREAM Act. Cuomo has said he would sign the DREAM Act if it passes.