A bill that would extend state tuition assistance to undocumented immigrants in New York is heading to Governor Andrew Cuomo's desk for his signature.
But there are calls for lawmakers to do more for immigrants. Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz is what's known as a Dreamer herself. She immigrated to the United States as a child, but without going through the proper legal process.
"It's going to take another five, 10, 20 years to undo the damage that Washington is causing our families," said Cruz (D - Queens). "Let's not forget that yes, we do need driver's licenses, but we also need health care for all. Our immigrant communities are dying because they cannot go to a doctor."
Republicans like Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis opposed the measure, calling it unfair to legal residents.
"Giving tuition assistance and free tuition to individuals who are in our country unlawfully while we have middle class families, both citizens and legal residents, who are struggling with the tremendous amount of debt to pay for college is really unfair and misguided to the taxpayers of the state," said Malliotakis (R - Staten Island).
The bill was just one of several high-profile measures approved Wednesday by lawmakers. The legislature also backed a bill that would end the use of students scores on state tests when evaluating teachers and principals.
"This will be a better, more fair way of evaluating teachers, and be developed on the local level," said Sen. Shelley Mayer (D - Yonkers).
In the Senate, lawmakers voted for a bill to make the state's cap on property tax increases permanent. The Assembly did not take it up.
"We'll negotiate it, we'll talk about it. We'll see how it goes," said Speaker Carl Heastie. "But we do understand the concerns that communities have with high property taxes."
Governor Cuomo included a permanent tax cap in his $175 billion budget plan.