States May Disobey Drivers License Rules

Newsday ^ | May 10, 2005 | Suzanne Gamboa

[auzerais]

States May Disobey Driver's License Rules

By SUZANNE GAMBOA Associated Press Writer May 10, 2005, 8:19 AM EDT

WASHINGTON -- States are threatening to challenge in court and even disobey new orders from Congress to start issuing more uniform driver's licenses and verify the citizenship or legal status of people getting them.

There is concern among some states that they'll get stuck with a large tab to pay for implementing the new rules and that getting a driver's license will become a bigger headache for law-abiding residents.

"Governors are looking at all their options. If more than half of the governors agree we're not going

[auzerais]

OK, here's my solution:

When the next terrorist attack occurs, whatever state that willfully dis-obeyed the new ID rules for DLs and gave a DL to a terrorist, that State must pay the full economic costs -including all payments to the victims' families- of the terrorist attack.

[dirtboy]

There is concern among some states that issuing boatloads of licenses to illegal aliens in hopes of pandering to the pro-illegal lobby getting a driver's license will become a bigger headache for law-abiding residents.

[jneesy]

i dont understand why this is so hard

[GrandEagle]

orders from Congress to start issuing more uniform driver's licenses and verify the citizenship or legal status of people getting them.
And the provision in the Constitution authorizing the Congress to make such an edict?

[goldstategop]

Just cut off federal money to states that opt out. No reason the taxpayers have to pay for their niggardly attitude towards our national security.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[dirtboy]

And the provision in the Constitution authorizing the Congress to make such an edict?

I would tie this to reciprocity. If one state issues a driver's license, it is honored as ID in all states under federal law. So if a few states have lax guidelines, it undermines the integrity of those states who have sound guidelines.

[RonF]

States are threatening to challenge in court and even disobey new orders from Congress to start issuing more uniform driver's licenses and verify the citizenship or legal status of people getting them. There is concern among some states that they'll get stuck with a large tab to pay for implementing the new rules

Sounds like a legitimate Federalist objection.

and that getting a driver's license will become a bigger headache for law-abiding residents.

I went with my son when he obtained his first license. He needed a birth certificate, a Social Security card, a picture ID, and proof of residence. What more is going to be required under the new laws? This objection I discredit.

[goldstategop]

I can cite two: the rule providing for uniform naturalization and the federal government's control over citizenship and the interstate commerce clause.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Little Pig]

This probably should have been initiated by the council of Governors, but it's still a pretty good idea.

[billbears]

Because it is none of the business of the national government? Of course most of what those hacks do is none of the business of the national goverment but that hasn't stopped them for over a hundred years

[Behind Liberal Lines]

And the provision in the Constitution authorizing the Congress to make such an edict?

Given that drivers licenses are used in interstate commerce and upon federal (and federally funded) highways I think congress probably has more authority in this area than a lot of areas they already claim to have it.

Note: Please don't flame me everyone, I'm not saying they're right, simply noting what the answer will be.

[GrandEagle]

I've got no problem with requiring legal status or citizenship before issuing a license. The part about issuing a "uniform" license though is just another way to get a federal ID card without legislating it.
I do not want a "Papers Please" society.

Just an opinion -

Regards,
GE

[AgThorn]

Just cut off federal money to states that opt out. No reason the taxpayers have to pay for their niggardly attitude towards our national security.

Agree with both parts of your suggestion but suggest it still doesn't go far enough for the intent of making this country more secure. Perhaps for any state that 'opts out' we would also require a passport to travel to and from. Which would also mean some checking at the borders for people not flying. AND all expense for doing so must also be bourne by that state.

[Paleo Conservative]

Easy, prohibit the use of drivers licenses issued in those states as valid ID for bording an airplane.

[randog]

The states are complaining that they have to become document verification experts, and they have a point. It makes getting a driver's license similar to getting a passport. There's an idea--the states could pass laws that require their citizens to show a valid US passport before they get a driver's license. Then the doc verification effort is pushed off on the feds (won't that make them happy!).

[GrandEagle]

Please don't flame me everyone,
LOL!!
You probably right. The ever expanding interstate commerce clause will probably be used.

GE

[goldstategop]

Exactly. Motorists in all 50 states DO drive on federally funded and built freeways. So the feds do get to have a say as to who can drive on them. They're still officially called "The Interstate Defense And Limited Access System."

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[billbears]

the rule providing for uniform naturalization and the federal government's control over citizenship

We already have that in the form of passports and other immigration laws already on the books. Unfortunately Republicans and the other worthless politicians have no plans to enforce those laws so create some more right?

interstate commerce clause

However this is a license specifying you have the ability to drive within the state that issued you the license, therefore a intrastate clause. Full faith and credit would apply for other states to accept your home state's license, but again not an issue for the national government

[IRememberElian]

And the provision in the Constitution authorizing the Congress to make such an edict?

I think it's the "Act In Haste" clause. Or the "For the Children" amendment. It's gotta' be in there somewhere.

; )

[muawiyah]

Sounds fair ~ still, the penalty on their citizenry is going to be rather instant. Without an acceptable form of identification (a qualifying driver's licesnse, state ID or passport), they may have difficulty doing business with a federally chartered bank, paying their federal taxes (or getting refunds of same), or engaging in interstate commerce.

The real issue here, though, is the need for wealthy matrons in Salt Lake City, Albuquerque, and Phoenix to have maids with drivers licenses. That's why there's any dispute at all surrounding the matter.