Posted on 10/23/2007 9:59:26 AM PDT by xcamel
ALBANY -- Opponents of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's plan to allow illegal immigrants to gain driver's licenses turned up the pressure on the first-term Democrat on Monday, with Rensselaer County's elected clerk filing a private lawsuit, Assembly and Senate Republicans threatening taxpayer-funded litigation and several hundred citizens rallying against the governor's "unilateral" act.
"We are going to do everything that we can to keep that from happening," said Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, R-Brunswick, in supporting a bill passed Monday night to derail the governor's action.
Rensselaer County Clerk Frank Merola, a Republican, sued the state Department of Motor Vehicles in Albany County in an effort to block the governor's policy and, as Merola told demonstrators on the Capitol steps, "to stop this nonsense."
"The governor is not listening to the people; perhaps he may listen to the courts," Merola said. "New York residents have stated loudly and clearly that we are not in favor of giving licenses to illegal aliens and all we get from the governor are lectures on how we are wrong, and that if we were as smart as he was, we would understand and support this policy," Merola said.
Merola drew enthusiastic support from the crowd of about 200 people.
Holding a sign that read, "Don't Steamroll Our Safety," Richard Benz, 62, of Wyantskill said, "I voted for Spitzer. I regret it. Our country needs a lot more border protection."
"We're not against immigration. We're against illegal immigrants," said Karen Gilmore, 63, of Albany.
Spitzer, who met privately with Democratic lawmakers, some of whom also dislike the directive, insists it is legal and seemed undeterred by the heavy criticism and a recent poll showing more than 70 percent of New Yorkers dislike his licensing plan. He said he governs according to principle, not polls.
"That is part of the discourse we have on tough issues and that's wonderful, as it should be," Spitzer said. "Some of the rhetoric that has been imposed and brought into this issue is not only overheated but ... counterproductive."
Some of Spitzer's Democratic allies in the Senate minority and Assembly majority portrayed him as showing leadership amid fear-mongering and an undercurrent of racism.
Citing the use of fraudulent driver's licenses by the terrorists of Sept. 11, 2001, Bruno and other opponents charged that the governor's program will cause safety and security breaches and voter fraud.
Supporters said Spitzer's move will enhance security by bringing illegal immigrants out of the shadows. They denounced references to the World Trade Center terrorists.
"Racists ... are having a ball," said Sen. Rubin Diaz Sr., D-Bronx, adding that he was referring to people outside the Senate.
"There is no connection between immigration and terrorism," said Sen. Jose Serrano, D-Bronx.
He backed Spitzer's assertion that New York motorists would save $120 million because illegal immigrants who register their cars will become insured, an estimate from the state Insurance Department that opponents consider dubious.
Following more than three hours of arguments, a bill from Sen. Frank Padavan, R-Bellerose, passed along party lines, 33-19. The legislation would require applicants for driver's licenses and nondriver identification cards to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the United States.
A few Democrats in competitive districts voted with the Republicans, including Andrea Stewart-Cousins of Westchester County, David Valesky of Syracuse and Craig Johnson of Nassau County.
Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Bethlehem, said he sided with Spitzer despite opposition from his constituents because he believes extending driving privileges is the right thing to do, and Spitzer's opponents are "pandering to people's emotions."
In the Senate debate and in an Assembly GOP news conference, Republican lawmakers expressed outrage at the governor's failure to consult with them or the public before announcing on Sept. 21 a policy to grant licenses to New York's more than 500,000 illegal immigrants.
That could happen as early as December if an applicant can produce identification such as a passport or birth certificate. He would no longer need a Social Security number or a letter explaining why he lacks one.
Assembly Republicans plan to push today for legislation blocking the policy and providing immunity to county clerks who defy it. Although the effort is expected to fail in the Democratic-controlled chamber, Minority Leader James Tedisco said it could help expose Democrats who "have been hiding in the weeds on this issue."
Assemblyman David Townsend, R-Rome, said the Spitzer initiative is part of a conspiracy to get illegal immigrants registered as voters in time to vote for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., next year in the presidential primary and general election.
Under the conspiracy, he said, even "Senor Tedisco" could vote.
Spitzer suggested Townsend's comments are illogical. "A driver's license is not a ticket to voting," Spitzer said. M. Odato can be reached at 454-5083 or by e-mail at jodato@timesunion.com.
Well, if the ‘Rats keep this up, NYS GOP may no longer be an acronymic oxymoron :)
The GOP had better fight back - and that includes in NYC - no more Bumblebergs for mayor.
Excellent: but will it stop Spitzer? He is the man who should never have been elected attorney general - he won because Dennis Vacco very foolishly turned down the Right to Life line. What a mistake. And now we are stuck.
People talk about weather, but if they set their schedules up right, it’s a 3 hr. plane ride from Albany to Ft. Myers.
The MSM hypes bad stories about the NorthEast just because they can...
I live and vote in NYS. I did not, vote for Spitzer in 2006.
Now he criticizes what he calls “a poll.” If I were running for anything and 73% of the population supported me, I would be very happy.
Spitzer is mistaken. Boy, do I wish we had a recall in NYS as they have in California.
Welcome to my neck of the woods - I live 13 miles due west of the Spa City, and own a family business about 6 miles south of Saratoga.
Can he be impeached?
Maybe a recall is in order. I hope someone gets one started. Does Spitzer not know about motor voter? What a dumba$$.
What he is doing about driver’s license does not mean that he cannot perform his duties. It does mean that he is an idiot, but that doesn’t count.
Again, what is needed is legislation to recall; which I’m guessing, will never take place in NYS.
If Sheldon Silver wanted it (a recall measure), it would pass. However, Sneaky Shelly backs the drivers license ploy, so forget it! If he were to change his mind, however, he could stop it and seriously put Spitzer in his place. Spitzer needs voter fraud in order to survive. Typical NY state Demo!
"Some of the rhetoric that has been imposed and brought into this issue is not only overheated but ... counterproductive."
Spoken like a true counterproductive "steam roller" as he called himself.
This man needs to be stopped before he tries for a national office.
Ping!
Still, no one can tell me why can’t these people just use their REAL ID? Mexican drivers licenses and Mexican trucks are perfectly legal in the US...
I would like to know who his campaign contributors are. Follow the money - didn’t he start on Wall Street?
Norman Hsu gave $60,200 to him and Andrew Cuomo
This issue is not just for New Yorkers. The other 49 states and the federal government should no longer allow NY Driver’s license as a valid form of identifcation. It could influence getting an airline ticket, opening a bank account, getting a job or applying for government benefits.
“That is EXACTLY what this sham is...a huge voting bloc for Hillary.”
Spitzer/Clinton= GANGSTERS nothing more, nothing less.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.