UnReal ID Act
15 States are Against REAL ID Act
by Suzanne
The REAL ID Act is set to take effect in May 2008. If it comes to fruition, it would turn state's driver's licenses (and non-driver identification) into a national identity card imposing new burdens on Americans and immigrants alike. The law was a response to the 9/11 Commission's investigation into how terrorists became part of the American fabric to plan and orchestrate the events of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. 13 of the 19 hijackers had obtained legitimate drivers licenses. The Commission called for national standards for basic American identification documents such as driver's licenses. Standardization does not guarantee safety--personal safety or the safety of your identity in a centralized database that's easily compromised.
Anti-REAL ID legislation is making its way through various state chambers. Some want to "opt out", some want to repeal the law, while others are proposing that they do not comply. 15 states to date have enacted a statute or resolution against the REAL ID Act. State lawmakers realize that it would be too expensive to implement. The federal government's regulations concerning the REAL ID Act estimate costs at $23 billion. New databases would be needed and an interstate data sharing network would need to be created to comply with the law. Some project that payroll would increase as new people would be hired to administer compliance. As a local government employee, I take exception with that suggestion as the M.O. is usually to pile up new work on an existing worker's already full plate. If they're feeling especially generous they might outsource it.
Posted on June 04, 2007
