Thursday, May 14, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri lawmakers denounced a federal movement toward national driver's licenses Wednesday.
The Senate unanimously voted to bar the Missouri Department of Revenue from ever complying with the Federal Real ID Act of 2005, which calls on states to adopt standardized driver's license requirements by December.
Wednesday evening's 32-0 vote sends the bill to Gov. Jay Nixon's desk to sign into law. The House already backed the bill in April, 83-69.
"It's a pretty strong statement that the federal government is going to have to back off," said Rep. Jim Guest. The King City Republican for three years has led a nationwide effort to convince states to reject Real ID, citing states' rights' violations and privacy concerns.
The General Assembly in 2007 approved a resolution calling on Congress for a repeal, but no repeal came.
Missouri joined 12 other states Wednesday in passing legislation that takes them out of the picture in December 2011, the effective date for Real ID. That's when U.S. citizens wanting to board airplanes or enter certain federal buildings will have to show identification that meets the uniform Real ID requirements set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
"We just do not know the result of states not complying. ... That's sort of the crux of the matter," Senate President Pro Tem Charlie Shields, R-St. Joseph, said during debate.
Those in non-compliant states can instead provide a birth certificate or a passport,
Senate Transportation Chairman Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, said the quality and security of Missouri licenses greatly increased in 2005, when tighter rules required drivers to provide birth certificates for new IDs or renewals. The thought of Missourians instead using passports regularly didn't sit well with him.
"I would hate to see us blow what we've accomplished so far," Mr. Stouffer said.
Mr. Guest and his supporters are banking that enforcement won't reach that point, however. Sen. Joan Bray, D-St. Louis County, said the federal government likely will stand down once more states refuse to participate.
Sen. Gary Nodler, R-Joplin, said he didn't oppose efforts toward more secure identification, but he called Real ID a "back-door approach" to establish national driver's licenses, which remains controversial.
"I just question this effort to (violate) the 10th Amendment and try to force the states to do something the federal government lacks the courage to do," Mr. Nodler said.
Mr. Guest said he expected Mr. Nixon to sign the bill because of its bipartisan support.
"It's not only a victory for me, but for everyone in the state to not be subject to another unfunded mandate," he said.
Alyson E. Raletz can be reached at alysonraletz@npgco.com.
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Missourimule says...
Personally, I think that the MO Senate and legislators of other states who are fighting this National ID concept are being backward and provincial in their thinking. I can think of no reason why a national ID, or a national Driver's License is a bad thing, and several, including national security concerns, why it would be a positive. In the end, if our proud legislators continue their misdirected posturing, it will only end up hurting us, the citizens of Missouri.
May 14, 2009 at 6 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
thank you to rep. guest for standing firm against the national ID act. now we have to revamp/repeal the homeland insecurity act.........
May 14, 2009 at 6:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BCotter says...
The News Press reporting on legislative activity from Jeff City has improved tremendously over what it was when I first moved here years ago. Good article.
May 14, 2009 at 7:50 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HickFromSticks says...
Missourimule - National ID = 1984!
heritage - I agree - Thank you Rep Guest!
May 14, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wr49tm says...
I do not envy the regular business traveler who will now have to carry an original birth certificate or passport simply to fly to another state.
The Real ID will also help to ensure legal citizens are the only ones voting and getting jobs. Apparently this isn't important to the citizens of MO... pity.
May 14, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
xanzzz says...
Wr49tm - That is how I see this as well. Human beings are crazy creatures. Probably the most out spoken against national IDs are the same one most out spoken about dealing with illegal immigration and getting our borders closed. A national ID would be a step in helping that issue.
May 14, 2009 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Berks says...
This bill or "Nelle Belle" as Senator Shield called it, may hurt Mo citizens in the long run. I wonder if citizens will be reimbursed for the passport they will need to go to the post office.
May 14, 2009 at 10:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sunny13 says...
Rep Guest is your classic conspiracy theorist. It's too bad he pushed this bill so hard. The passage of anti-Real ID is bad for Missouri and bad for St Joe. It's a shame that there are so many sheep following this guy by believing that this bill will hurt Americans.
By eliminating the option for Missourians to get either the Real ID or the non-Real ID license really decreases the value of our license. Illegals will be able to obtain licenses and vote. Granted, you don't think it's a problem now, but wait until word gets around that MO is the place to be... too late then.
May 14, 2009 at 12:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mr_America says...
I'd at least like people to be able to decide wether or not they want a Real ID or not on an individual basis.
May 14, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )