One state, by itself, cannot hold off the federal government.
That’s the message Missouri Rep. Jim Guest and South Carolina Sen. Larry Martin left with those in attendance at the plenary session on REAL ID at the Southern Legislative Conference Sunday.
Both are from states that have rejected outright the federal mandate to implement the new identification system. Four other states—New Hampshire, Washington, Montana and Oklahoma—have also rejected the national ID card.
Guest started the Legislators Against REAL ID in 2007 to get more states on board. He and others believe the unfunded mandate is too costly, not only financially but also because of the impact on citizen freedoms.
“There are things you can’t do,” Martin said. “You can’t compromise your citizens’ privacy. You can’t compromise their security.”
Guest explained the information the Department for Homeland Security wants included in the REAL ID is far and above what is needed to protect the country against terrorism.
“The REAL ID Is a full frontal assault on the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and Bill of Rights,” Guest said.
He said DHS has the right to change the requirements and regulation of the REAL ID Act at any time.
Both Martin and Guest said states have in place document requirements to get a first-time driver’s license. The REAL ID Act will place several unnecessary burdens on states, starting with an estimated cost of $14.6 billion nationwide to implement the program.
Beyond that, according to Martin, there are other costs. For instance, the Act requires DMV employees to have high-level security clearance. Most DMV employees, Martin said, are paid between $8 and $10 an hour and don’t have the background to get that security clearance.
“You’ll probably have to wholesale replace people,” he said.
In addition, agency field offices will have to be retrofitted for the new equipment necessary to meet the requirements of the Act.
And while the federal government has given states the option of delaying implementation of the Act, the paperwork required is voluminous, according to Guest.
He said he has gotten commitments from lawmakers in 26 states to file legislation to reject the REAL ID Act. The efforts to reject state participation in the act, he said, are bipartisan.
“Freedom is not a Democrat or Republican issue,” said Guest. “It’s an American issue.”
In addition to rejecting participation, Martin suggested legislators contact their congressmen and explain the current requirements to get a driver’s license. Congressmen don’t want to appear to be easy on requirements because of the terrorism issue. The 9-11 Commission recommended standardized requirements for obtaining licenses, Guest said, not a national identification card.
NO REAL ID!! I don't need to be monitored! I am an American citizen and I have rights. One of those Constitutional rights provides privacy! Stay out of my life! NO REAL ID!!! Beginning of the mark of the beast!
Posted by: Nellah | January 30, 2008 at 07:54 AM