New Bill in the works!

I think that this is ridiculous, and I hope that it gets shot down and buried before the rest of the country considers it. First, the immigration issue: I know that according to our Constitution any child born on U.S. soil is an American citizen, but these illegals are flocking to America in order to capitalize on that in the first place. If the bill were to proceed, it should be written into the bill that children of illegal parents are excluded. If they are to be included, then the parents should be mandated to learn the English language, be gainfully employed, and become American citizens themselves within a specified amount of time. If they fail to do this, then the money should be forfeited. As for the rest of the state's babies: Why is it that the parents are not being the ones who are responsible for saving for their children's future? Why should the government hand out this money as a "prize" for having children? There are enough benefits that the taxpayers pay for as children grow up and even go to college (especially in the State of California). Now they want to add yet another source of free money for people? What happened to working and saving money for your children's education and future? As an upper middle class taxpayer, I resent hearing these types of things, when 1/3 of what I earn is already going to taxes. How much more can WE afford to give?

Sorry I don't like it and my reason that it is too general. People with high incomes dont need the money, illegals would be having a field day because their children born here are automatically US citizens, there are too many other more important things that $300 million can be spent on. When will the government stop spending our tax dollars on more freebies. Do they really expect to get that money back in 18years? I dont think that there will be much interest for the children to keep as it will be spent as soon as some of their parents get hold of it.

i think its a good idea in theroy...yah know giving kids a starting chance of sorts but it really needs to be refined. I am also wondering what happens if the kid does not reach age 18....would the parents be able to collect on it? I know that sounds morbid but could you image how much higher infantcide might be if that was the case? People who super deperate for money could come here, have the baby, off the baby and not report it to anyone...But i think it just needs to be rethought.

I am disturbed by the number of people that believe in the premise that it is the government's responsibilty to allocate any of our investments. The problem of financial ignorance cannot be solved with a bounty. It teaches no responsibility and is just a hand out. Legal or illegal, government needs to stop distributing our money as they see fit. Our government needs to focus instead on making our tax dollars go farther by spending more efficiently. Generally the more our government stays out of our lives and our pockets the better.

This is simply like another social security failure. The idea will work at first. Then they will find that in 18 years when people start withdrawing the money that they won't have enough money to pay for it. I highly doubt it will pass for that matter alone. The amount of money paid out in 18 years would be outrageous. Not to mention it wouldn't really be worth it for the citizes. $500 over 18 years at 4.5% interest gives you a total of $1122.25. That's not highly worth it since after you pay the $500 back they have to pay you $622.25. I'm not sure what they expect you to get with that in 18 years from now.

I think that's a very good idea. That would give the child a good start in life. They could use it for school or a car or something they need. It would also give them a chance to learn responsibility since they do have to pay the $500 back when they are 18 years old. I think all US states should do this not just California. Sure we have other issues that need to be addressed first. However this would prevent many kids from not being in debt and learning how to save money. It would help the US children a lot. If you were born in this country you are already a citizen. So, I don't think it can pertain to non citizens. The country does spend enough on illegal immigration, but they deserve a chance at life too. I don't think they should make this too public since many people who are not citizens and are pregnant may try to get into the state before the baby is born. You can't really blame them though. They just want a better life for their children.

Hello All, I thought it would be helpful to clarify a couple of things. The 14th Amendment reads as follows: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdication thereof, are citizens ..." The subsequent verbiage defines the apportionment for representation and exclusions, including an exclusion of non-taxed Indians and an exclusion of those with "... participation in rebellion, or other crime, ...". Naturalization is a process, whereby an immigrant participates in the required steps necessary to attain citizenship. My question: Is a child born of illegal immigrants subject to the jurisdiction of the parents or the U.S. Government? The slippery slope: If you say that the child is subject to the jurisdiction of the gov't, then the Gov't can seize the child, and deport the parents (since the parents committed a crime). It's unfathomable that any reasonable person would want to see families torn apart by gov't intervention. When one looks at it from this perspective it's seems that a further re-definition of "citizenship" is long overdue. I just thought it would be helpful to point out that the 14th Amendment does not grant citizenship carte blanché. Criminality is an exclusion, and although it's not the child's crime, the cost of punishing the criminals and not the innocent is far too great a price to pay. So, the question really is: are we willing to overlook any crime, and allow anyone to benefit from U.S. citizenship? Of course not! I believe that the logical and humane solution is to redefine citizenship to include only those infants born of current citizens, or immigrants who have engaged the naturalization process. I hope this is helpful, especially in light of the fact that Mylot participants are from all over the globe, and may not know the wording of our governing documents.

i don't even understand the reasoning for this...500 dollars does not make crap for interest even in 18 years...at best it may double, but i doubt it..

Well, that sucks for me, lol...I just moved from Cali, and I would not benefit, unless they did do that in the rest of the States...But, I have to agree with you emphatically, we do have far more important things going on, that need money, and bills passed. Furthermore, illegal immigrants are what are making our U.S. population increase (and I am saying this OBJECTIVELY, not judgementally), because a population study was done, that showed that the U.S., among many other nations, such as Germany and Italy, have declining populations, and ours, is declining, even with the added population growth from the birth of illegal immigrants. So, what I mean, is that all that money could be saved for other things, because the money would be going only to illegal immigrants, and it would encourage them to have more children (who, tend to live mostly off the system (this is objectively again)). I wish, that all that money could go to providing all of us Americans healthcare costs, instead of us having to pay hundreds of dollars to pay for our healthcare providers. You know, I hope it does not get passed, I hope that something else, something better gets passed, because this is a disappointment, it really is.

Instead of starting savings accounts, they should pour that money into the educational system, or border security. I am sure that there are a hundred different ways that money could be used to help people. This just goes to show you why California is known as the "land of fruits & nuts!"

That is the craziest thing I have ever heard!! People will have their babies there and leave, just to get the money! Or come in from Mexico and have their babies here, since even illegal residents get the money. I think it's a good way to break the bank. It's a good idea, sort of, just poorly thought out, but I have no idea how they will keep track of all of those accounts to get the money back. All I see is serious abuse issues. I don't see how they can keep track of this and keep it from getting abused.

I think this is ridiculous just where is this money going to come from ??The taxpayers I for one am sick of paying taxes to be used for such stupid things whilst the country is going futher and further in debt !

We have the same scheme in the UK - the government gives evry baby about $500 and for poorer families about $1000. It is a good incentive for families to save for their childrens future. For me - I know that when I reached 18 I did not have any money and had to struggle for everything. I am hoping that when my son is 18 he will have a nice amount of money and it will help him for his future

I think it sounds like a great idea in theory. I also think in the real world it would take an awful lot of money to do this. I also agree with you that it should be kept to citizens only.

I think this is great that they are doing something to help provide for our young to make sure they have something to start off with to help them get started in life and when they get older. Hopefully the interest they receive will generate a decent amount of income til they are able to start working. I agree that this should only apply to US citizens only and not for the illegal immigrants. Yes, we do have many other issues that need to be addressed like healthcare but at least something is being done to help our children.

I agree with you this is a dumb bill.I get so tired of footing the bill for these people and why should they get $500 in bank to have a kid I hope this bill gets killed there so other startes dont try it

I think it's a good idea. Parents should really save up a little for their kid's future. I do it anyway. I don't think illegal immigrants can open up bank accounts anyway, they need a social security number right?

For legitimate citizens i think it is a good idea as many parents have not the means to save for their kids. They have introduced something similar in the u.k Sad my son was born just a few years earlier lol. A lot of underprivilaged kids will be able to have a start when they are older.

I think it just another way for California to spend the money they don't have. I lived there for a few years and never saw such a messed up state. It is ridiculous that they are dealing with this and nothing to with legal citizens. I am just glad that we left.

The taxpayers will pay for this. Do you know how many babies are born every year in Cali? Many people when they reach 18 years of age, do not know how to spend money wisely. So if it is to give them a fresh start to helping them start their own lives, for some it will work and some it won't. Nevertheless, the taxpayers will pay for this.