Massachusetts may be a progressive state but we’re going to find out how progressive it is in November when voters decide whether to repeal the state Legislature’s passage of a bill granting driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

On the Oct. 19 edition of The Chat, advocates for both sides made their cases to New Bedford Light columnist and reporter Jack Spillane.

Maureen Maloney, who heads up Fair and Secure Massachusetts, spoke on behalf of the repeal effort. Rolando Oliva, of the New Bedford branch of Movimiento Cosecha, spoke through a translator on behalf of the effort by immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

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THE CHAT ARCHIVES

No easy way out of budget crisis

Experts Adam Chapdelaine and Phineas Baxandall joined Light columnist and host of The Chat Jack Spillane to examine the statewide crisis and New Bedford’s predicament: a $32 million budget deficit.