He calls the act an important step toward 'maximizing' investment in education. Christie signs, lauds N.J. DREAM Act

Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday was joined in celebrating the passage of the New Jersey DREAM Act by a bipartisan coalition of state politicians, calling it an important step toward “maximizing” the state’s investment in public education.

“[O]ur job, I believe, as a government, is to give every one of these children, who we have already invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in, an opportunity to maximize that investment,” Christie said Tuesday at the signing ceremony in Union City, N.J.


With the law — which extends in-state tuition benefits at public universities to undocumented students — Christie fulfills a campaign pledge he made leading to his November re-election as governor.

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The legislation did not, however, come without a dose of partisan wrangling. In December, Christie threatened to veto the bill if it included financial aid provisions, which drew drew criticism from the bill’s architects. A compromise was passed through the assembly and signed by the Republican governor on Dec. 20.

“The fact is that the tax payers in this state have made an enormous investment in these people, and the question is: do we want to maximize our investment through giving them nothing more than an opportunity?” Christie said.

Tuesday’s ceremonial signing brought together several key politicians who helped push the bill into law, including New Jersey Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D) and state Sens. Teresa Ruiz (R) and Brian Stack (D).

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“Today, New Jersey becomes a more welcoming and inclusive state for immigrants and their families,” Sen. Menendez (D-N.J.) said in a written statement. “This commonsense policy will ensure that New Jersey high school students aren’t denied a college education and the chance to pursue the American dream.”