The New York Senate adjourned its 2014 legislative session, and one bill on the docket failed to pass in time: the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors, or DREAM Act.

Democratic Assemblyman Francisco Moya, from Jackson Heights, Queens and lead sponsor of the bill, expressed disappointment with the DREAM Act failing for a second consecutive year due to inaction from the New York Senate. He was also "heartened" by the progress the bill achieved as the proposed bill became an issue with the state's budget negotiations.

"We were able to secure the unmitigated support of the Assembly two times over, the majority of votes in the Senate, and a firm commitment from the Governor [Andrew Cuomo] that he will make sure the DREAM Act becomes law next year."

"If there's anything to take away from our experience this session, it's that we were able to drive the conversation in Albany, even though we were speaking up on behalf of a population that doesn't have traditional connections to the halls of power," added Moya. "The DREAM Act constituency is-by nature-young, poor, and undocumented. We amplified their voices and we did it without any power money. If that's not progress, I don't know what is."

According to the assemblyman, he wouldn't have believed anyone if someone told him 10 years ago that the DREAM Act would be a "focal point" in the state's legislative session during 2014.

"We've come a long way," he said. "We brought our message to Albany and Albany heard us."

The DREAM Act had a turbulent road with New York lawmakers. As Latin Post reported, the state's DREAM Act originally passed the Assembly on May 21, 2013. It wasn't until Jan. 8, 2014 when the DREAM Act "died" in the Senate but was returned to the Assembly on the same day.

The Assembly would pass the act again on Feb. 25. On March 17, the Senate voted, and the bill failed with 30 ayes, 29 nays, 1 absent and 1 excused. The DREAM Act required 32 ayes for passage. All Republican members of the New York Senate voted no, along with Democrats Simcha Felder of Brooklyn and Ted O'Brien of Rochester.

The New York Assembly would pass the DREAM Act for a third time on June 2, but the Senate adjourned before the bill could be debated.

Moya said, "In the next legislative session, we'll be stronger than ever. Looking ahead, you can be sure that we will make one thing perfectly clear: if you don't stand with the immigrant community, you don't stand with New York Democrats."

The New York Senate published a summary of its 2014 legislative session. The "Summary of 2014 Senate Legislative Action" featured no progress or highlights on immigration.

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.