...again.
Driver's license bill again faces veto in state
Awaiting word on the governor's plan for illegals, Senate Democrats refuse to confirm his DMV director. New federal law allows states to issue "driving-only" licenses to illegal immigrants.
By Michael Gardner
Copley News Service
SACRAMENTO -- Handed an opening by a conservative Congress and President Bush, California Democrats are challenging Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign legislation that would extend driving privileges to illegal immigrants.
But Schwarzenegger, who at one point said he favors giving those here illegally the ability to obtain drivers' licenses if the document is clearly distinguishable, will again reject the landmark measure.
"He will be vetoing the driver's license," Richard Costigan, the governor's deputy chief of staff, said Thursday.
Senate Democrats had earlier handed Schwarzenegger a bitter defeat when they refused to confirm his director of the Department of Motor Vehicles over what they claimed was a sluggish response to looming tough federal identification standards that must be met before 24 million Californians can get a new license or renewal.
Also, Democrats remain distrustful of the governor for refusing to honor what they claim was a promise to allow illegal immigrants to obtain drivers' licenses if the document has some kind of mark. The new federal law, which is not mandatory, allows states to issue "driving-only" licenses to illegal immigrants.
"Do I think that the politics of the driver's license got involved in the confirmation process? I do. I really do," Costigan said.
Costigan's announcement came as no surprise; the governor's team had said repeatedly over the last week that Schwarzenegger wanted to wait until the Bush administration releases its identity-verification requirements in the fall of 2006. But that could put off the politically explosive issue until the height of the election -- if Schwarzenegger chooses to run again.
"It is permissive. It is not mandatory," Costigan said of the license-only document for those in the country illegally.
The Senate sent the legislation to the governor on a party-line 21-15 vote Thursday. The Assembly had approved the legislation a day earlier, also without Republican support. "Californians deserve to know we are doing all we can to make America secure and our highways safe," said Sen. Gil Cedillo, a Los Angeles Democrat carrying the bill.
Referring to President Johnson's signature on the Voting Rights Act and Alabama Gov. George Wallace's rejection of integration, Cedillo said: "The governor has a choice. He can either be an LBJ or a George Wallace."
While the basic goal of Cedillo's SB 60 remains familiar, the president and Congress stepped in with the Real ID Act that reframed the license debate nationally.
Under the federal law, states have until 2008 to adopt more stringent identity-verification standards or risk sanctions that could keep people from using their licenses to board airplanes or enter federal buildings.
Democrats say California must move quickly, particularly because the Department of Motor Vehicles must implement new programs to verify identities and store documentation.
While every Californian with a license will be affected eventually, Democrats have linked the state's initial legislative response to another provision in the Real ID Act that allows states to issue drivers' licenses to illegal immigrants.
The federal act allows states to issue licenses to those without proof of legal residency as long as the document is distinct by color or design and clearly states that it can be used only for driving.
There are about 1 million drivers who cannot prove they are here legally. Passing the state measure also could clear the way for 1 million people in the process of securing legal status to apply for licenses, Cedillo said.
Cedillo, who has pushed ahead through vetoes and the recall of Gov. Gray Davis partly attributed to his signature on a license bill without safeguards, insisted that the Real ID Act settled the annual dispute.
Republican opponents disagree.
"We are a society based on laws," said Assemblyman Mark Wyland, R-Del Mar. "The law has meaning. It undermines our government when we reward breaking the law."
Several South Bay Democrats supported the measure, to the point of making impassioned speeches on the floor.
Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza of Carson became angry over Republican references to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the fact the suicide hijackers had licenses.
"I don't think workers who do work that others would not ought to have to walk to their jobs. Nor do I think we should begin to discuss the issue of national security and 9-11 and where the failures of our federal government's intelligence system were on that day," she said.
Assemblyman Jerome Horton of Inglewood said providing a license accepts that the undocumented workers are on the roads now.
But Assemblywoman Betty Karnette of San Pedro abstained, explaining later that she believes California should not jump ahead before the federal government issues its compliance standards.
Sen. Debra Bowen of Redondo Beach voted yes. Sen. Edward Vincent of Inglewood was absent.
And the Governator terminates yet more idiocy by the Kalifornia Politburo.
This is what, the fifth time that bill's gone over his desk?
The Paladin's Domain,
My Blog (Updated 5/18/2009)
"Live free or die: Death is not the worst of evils." -- General John Stark
"A fortress circumvented ceases to be an obstacle.
A fortress destroyed ceases to be a threat.
Do not forget the difference."
"Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed." -- G. K. Chesterton
