NY Governor Spitzer abandons Immigrant Driver's License Proposal

[dfc99bb]

How convenient for Hillary Clinton. One of the many issues that has her floundering is all of a sudden off the table or so she hopes. Her fellow liberal democrat Eliot Spitzer has ridden to her rescue! And right before her next debate appearance too. Gee, what a coincidence!
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Governor Slams Brakes On Immigrant Driver's License Proposal

November 14, 2007

Story linked here

Citing overwhelming public opposition, Governor Eliot Spitzer slammed the brakes on his plan to allow illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses.

"I continue to believe that my proposal would have improved an unsatisfactory situation, but I have listened to the legitimate concerns of the public and those who would be affected by my proposal and have concluded that pushing forward unilaterally in the face of such strong opposition would be counterproductive,” said Spitzer.

The governor made the announcement in a morning press conference, after meeting with members of New York's congressional delegation – many of whom opposed the plan – in Washington.

Spitzer said the federal government has failed to control the country's borders and has left states to deal with the consequences.

"I have concluded that New York state cannot successfully address this problem on its own," said the governor.

The proposal – which the governor said would have led to increased security, safer roads and an opportunity to bring immigrants "out of the shadows" – was controversial from the start, among both Republicans and Democrats.

Opponents charged that the plan would make it easier for would-be terrorists to get identification, and make the country less safe.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg voiced his skepticism early on, and Spitzer alienated many of his early supporters by switching to a compromise three-tiered plan.

The governor's original plan allowed immigrants – regardless of their status – to receive licenses by showing documents such as foreign passports or birth certificates. But under a deal reached with the Department of Homeland Security last month, New York state was enter into the REAL ID program, creating a system of dual licensing, something Spitzer said he was against.

Under that plan, Illegal aliens would have been allowed to receive licenses, but they would not have been able to use them to board planes or enter federal buildings. The state would have offered a second level of licenses which could be used for those purposes.

The DMV would also have offered a third license to western and northern New Yorkers, permitting them to cross the Canadian border without a passport, when a new law goes into effect next year.

Now, immigrant groups say they're even more frustrated.

"There are undocumented immigrants living in New York who are really an important part of New York. And this policy was trying to bring those people out of the shadows, at the same time as it would have made our roads safer,” said Norman Eng of the New York Immigration Coalition.

NY1’s Albany reporter Josh Robin is traveling with the governor and will have much more on this story from Washington throughout the day.

Copyright © 2007 NY1 News

[paul]

He should never have offered licenses to begin with. Driving is a privilege, not a right. Giving driving licenses to illegal immigrants only adds to the problem.

[ol'skinflint]

my number one suggestion to make roads safer would be to toughen laws against distracted driving. I've seen men driving and shaving, women driving and applying eye make up, and don't even get me started on people driving and partying on their cell phones, heads tilted back and laughing, texting while the car is in motion.....

[Videoskooter]

Fill me in on this plz! Is it a violation in the US to do such things while you are in control of a moving vehicle?

In Belgium you get a serious fine when you use a cellphone or shave while you are driving a car, riding a bike, bicycle, horse. And the next step will be banning smoking while driving. Which I never do BTW!

[dfc99bb]

The states issue driver's licenses, vehicle registrations and license plates. In most states the license plates are issued to individuals. From what I can tell in Europe the plate is a permanent part of the car. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Municipalities may ban driving while on a cellphone. In NYC it's illegal, but is o.k. elsewhere in the state of NY. The state of NJ recently made it illegal to drive while on a cellphone throughout the entire state.

It still still everybody driving while on the phone, it's not enforced too well but people do get tickets for it.

[Videoskooter]

From what I can tell in Europe the plate is a permanent part of the car.

It depends on the country. In Belgium the plates are individual, In Holland they stay with the car. And since last year we can now order a personal plate (F.I. JB-007).

[paul]

There are a lot of driving regulations Johan. Each state has there own set of laws. The enforcement varies and if a cop pulls you over, if he's having a bad day he'll find some driving law you violated.