Montana Governor Foments Real ID Rebellion

Source: Wired News

Montana Governor Foments Real ID Rebellion

By Ryan Singel

Montana governor Brian Schweitzer (D) declared independence Friday from federal identification rules and called on governors of 17 other states to join him in forcing a showdown with the federal government which says it will not accept the driver's licenses of rebel states' citizens starting May 11.

If that showdown comes to pass, a resident of a non-complying state could not use a driver's license to enter a federal courthouse or a Social Security Administration building nor could he board a plane without undergoing a pat-down search, possibly creating massive backlogs at the nation's airports and almost certainly leading to a flurry of federal lawsuits.

States have until May 11 to request extensions to the Real ID rules that were released last Friday. They require states to make all current identification holders under the age of 50 to apply again with certified birth and marriage certificates. The rules also standardize license formats, require states to interlink their DMV databases and require DMV employee to undergo background checks.

Extensions push back the 2008 deadline for compliance as far as out 2014 if states apply and promise to start work on making the necessary changes, which will cost cash-strapped states billions with only a pittance in federal funding to offset the costs.

Last year Montana passed a law saying it would not comply, citing privacy, states' rights and fiscal issues.

In his letter to other governors, Schweitzer makes clear he's not going to ask for an extension.

"Today, I am asking you to join with me in resisting the DHS coercion to comply with the provisions of REAL ID, " Schweitzer wrote. "If we stand together either DHS will blink or Congress will have to act to avoid havoc at our nation's airports and federal courthouses."

But Homeland Security spokeswoman Laura Keehner says DHS has no intention of blinking.

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Read more: http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/01/montana-governo.html

this issue. If the Federal govt is going to require a state to come up with this system, they should provide the funding for it.

Additionally, with the way that our own govt is spying on us, this system will be further erode our civil liberties. I don't trust them to do the right thing, not after the last 7 years. But of course I also see where the govt is coming from. Seems like everything in life is a two edged sword.

For the record, Gov. Schweitzer is moderate on some issues, progressive on other issues. Not bad for an intermountain state governor.

come May for residents of certain states, this will be interesting to see who prevails. Although Real ID was passed by almost all in Congress, it was tucked into another bill :(


"Under a measure known as Real ID legislation, the states must comply by May 11, the third anniversary of the measure’s enactment, or obtain a waiver from the Department of Homeland Security...

Ms. Schaffer predicted that pressure from the airlines might force the federal government to reverse itself.

The airlines, in fact, are worried, because travelers with driver’s licenses from states that do not have a waiver would have to use a passport or a military ID, or face additional screening, including a pat-down...

Exactly how many states will decide not to apply for waivers is unclear. Arkansas, Idaho, Montana and others have voted against the program, which was a central recommendation of the Sept. 11 Commission..."


Some additional information and link to above NYT article here...

Real ID is Here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=385&topic_id=83527#83577

:kick:

Not just to get that state ID...