This section of the article is excellent. But why would the Gov do any homework or even ask any advice? He is simply a puppet of the powers that be with another agenda… Future voters and population so we don’t lose another seat in the house. Don’t do anything that would actually cut the costs of government an such that would actually make this state inviting, just violate Federal Law is enough for these Nimrods.

Had the governor taken the time to do his homework, he would have heard the criticism that this policy change raises serious concerns regarding the safety of all New Yorkers. Beyond even these criticisms, the policy may also violate state and federal law.

The Federal Real ID Act and the proposed federal regulations to implement it require states to meet certain minimum security standards in order for state driver’s licenses to be acceptable. Requirements include that an applicant produce evidence of a valid Social Security number or proof of ineligibility. The only foreign documentation that would be accepted would be a foreign passport with a valid, current United States visa. The federal standards were developed to protect against identity theft and protect our national security.
If we blindly follow the governor’s policy changes, a New York driver’s license will not comply with federal requirements and therefore no longer be an acceptable form of identification at our nation’s borders or airports effective May 11, 2008. In addition, the policy shift jeopardizes the state’s chances with the Department of Homeland Security for using enhanced driver’s licenses instead of more-expensive passports to cross back and forth into Canada. This has significant economic implications to our state’s economy.

The Independent - Legislator’s View: Governor’s new license policy benefits no one

RECENT POLICY CHANGES implemented by Governor Eliot Spitzer will no longer require the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to demand a valid Social Security number as part of the identification requirements when an illegal immigrant applies for a state driver’s license. This will give more than 500,000 such individuals living in our state access to a driver’s license.

A New York driver’s license is a privilege and responsibility. To make certain that this is the case, the state legislature passed a law in 2002 that required Social Security numbers from driver’s license applicants. This safeguard measure ensures only legal residents and citizens of our country possess a powerful tool like a driver’s license. I call it a “powerful tool” because with it a person can gain access and obtain necessary materials to commit crimes and acts of terror. It is for these reasons that the 9/11 Commission advocates a strict set of “standards for the issuance of birth certificates and sources of identification such as driver’s licenses…”
The governor’s new policy creates a dangerous loophole in state DMV regulations, allowing illegal aliens and potential terrorists the opportunity to apply for state driver’s licenses without regard to their citizenship status. Beyond this, his policy edict establishes procedures limiting the retention of documents used to obtain a license by an illegal immigrant and maintains the current, stricter identification standards for legal citizens. Unfortunately, our governor refuses to discuss or even acknowledge these salient points.
When the governor announced this policy change in mid-September, giving an unrealistic deadline of November 1 for county clerks to comply, it took all of us by surprise. The governor did not consult with members of the state legislature, chosen by the people to represent them in the state Capitol. Nor did the governor consult with county clerks who are the DMV agents on the frontlines. Most importantly, the governor never consulted the residents of this state; his decision was made without any public input.
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