Driver's licenses for illegal immigrants cut from transportation bill
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By Kyle Cheney/Statehouse News Service
GateHouse News Service
Posted Apr 08, 2009 @ 02:41 PM

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BOSTON — The House late Tuesday night overwhelmingly backed a bill to establish a massive new independent transportation authority, complete with new oversight mechanisms lawmakers hope will force accountability and prevent the type of cost overruns and delays that plagued the Big Dig.

An amendment proposed by Ashland State Rep. Tom Sannicando that would have allowed illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses was withdrawn late last night.

The 154-7 vote came over fervent objections by Republicans that the bill favored Boston residents and laid the groundwork for a gas tax increase, a charge the House Transportation Committee chair dismissed as “scare tactics.â€