VIDEO: Petition Drive to Repeal Dream Act Kicks Off

Tom Webb, 26, of La Jolla was one of a handful of volunteers who turned up Monday night in Murrieta to support an effort to repeal the California Dream Act.

Webb opposes the Dream Act and plans to gather signatures at the University of California, San Diego campus.

The Act, signed by Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 9, allows undocumented students to apply for financial aid to attend California colleges and universities.

The Murrieta meeting was called by Phil Paule, a candidate in the 2012 race for the 67th Assembly District. Paule hopes to organize a growing number of signature gatherers, with the goal of reaching 10,000 signatures in Southwest Riverside County. 

"If we had money laying around [for the Dream Act], why did we cut our schools, our parks?" Paule said.

The signatures gained by Paule's group would then be forwarded to Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, 59th District, R-Twin Peaks, who is spearheading the repeal effort statewide and spoke at Monday's meeting. (Watch the video to the right for remarks from Donnelly and Paule.)

Also in attendance was Ken Dickson, a Murrieta Valley Unified School District board member who is running against Paule in the Assembly race.

"Paule is not the only one concerned about this," Dickson said. "I want to hear what these folks have to say and be part of the conversation."

Supporters of the Act have said it will help California achieve an educated workforce.

Assembly Bill 131, which allows undocumented students to apply for financial aid, takes effect Jan. 1, 2013.