Assembly Rejects Amendment to Rescind Spitzer's Driver's License Plan
Karen DeWitt



ALBANY, NEW YORK (2007-10-23) Assembly Republicans tried to force Majority Party Democrats to vote on a bill to rescind Governor Spitzer's driver's license plan for undocumented immigrants, but Democrats ruled that the amendments were not relevant, and avoided a debate.

Assembly Republicans, who are out-numbered by Democrats 108 to 41, introduced a so-called hostile amendment, to try to force a vote to reverse Spitzer's plan to issue licenses to immigrants without social security numbers.

On the Assembly floor, Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, a Republican from Schenectady, said the governor's plan was "risky, reckless and irresponsible".

"By handing out driver's licenses to illegal aliens, the governor's unlawful plan would make us less safe," said Tedisco.

When Republicans introduce amendments, it's up to the Speaker of the house to rule whether or not the measure is germane to the bill that's being debated.

Republicans attached their amendment to a bill that would extend the sales tax for Suffolk County. Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene, a Democrat from the Bronx who presided as chair of the session, immediately rejected the amendment as "not germane".

The final vote, 85 to 57, was mostly along party lines though 16 Democrats did vote with the Republicans.

No Democrat spoke publicly in favor of the governor's plan.

"Unfortunately, the silence is deafening," said Republican Assemblyman James Conte, of Long Island.

Another amendment, which would protect county clerks who are refusing to carry out the Governor's plan, was similarly ruled not germane, and voted down.

The first ruling came even before Republicans had a chance to explain why they thought their amendment was related to the tax bill. Republicans accused Democrats of fixing the ruling in advance, because the Assembly Speaker, Sheldon Silver, is a backer of the governor's plan.

Speaker Silver says the Republicans are acting in too hasty a manner. Silver says the first phase of Spitzer's policy won't even be taking effect until December, so there's no hurry.

"This is a deliberative process," said Silver. "The minority is attempting to jumpstart and change the process."

The failure of the Assembly Republicans to advance their bill, which passed in the GOP dominated Senate, means the next step is likely the courthouse. Assemblyman Tedisco says he'll sue the governor if Spitzer proceeds with his plan, and the governor has said while he's open to talking about changes, he's not backing down.

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