Thread: OR: Kulongoski rejects driver's license rule delay request

Kulongoski rejects driver's license rule delay request

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Story Published: Jan 4, 2008 at 9:20 AM PST

Story Updated: Jan 4, 2008 at 9:49 AM PST
By KATU Web Staff
SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Gov. Ted Kulongoski has rejected calls from Hispanic groups to delay implementing tougher state rules for obtaining a driver's license.

On Monday, the groups submitted 5,000 petition signatures to the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division in Salem, asking for a one-year delay.

But Patty Wentz, Kulongoski's spokeswoman, told the Statesman Journal newspaper Thursday that the executive order "absolutely" will not be delayed.

Ramon Ramirez, the president of the Northwest Treeplanters and Farmworkers United, the state's largest farmworker union, accused Kulongoski of not valuing the state's Latino immigrant community.

"What the governor is basically saying to immigrants is, 'I don't care about you, and I don't care about your rights,"' Ramirez said.

Kulongoski signed the executive order in November. It requires, after Feb. 4, that applicants show proof of legal residence to get an Oregon license.

As of now, immigrants in Oregon can use a Mexican ID card supplied only by the Mexican Consulate in Portland to get Oregon licenses. That would end when the new rules take effect.

Oregon is one of only a handful of states that does not require proof of legal residence for a license. Kulongoski has said all Oregon driver's licenses might become invalid as ID for boarding commercial airliners or visiting federal office buildings if the state doesn't comply with federal requirements insisting on proof of legal residence for a license.

Jim Ludwick, the president of Oregonians for Immigration Reform, a group that advocates against illegal immigration, praised the governor's decision.

"He has taken a very positive and strong position on an issue that needs to be dealt with," Ludwick said.

Back in November, the governor said the DMV would inform Oregonians about the new rules and required documents in advance of the Feb. 4 implementation date. But with that date just one month away, the DMV has yet to send out brochures or make public service announcements about the changes.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)



http://www.katu.com/news/13043247.html

If anyone in (or out) state cares to give the fine Governor an 'atta boy', well, here's his contact info:


Postal Mail:

Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, OR
97301-4047

Phone:

(Governor’s Citizens’ Representative Message Line)
503.378.4582

Fax: 503.378.6827

Email / Web contact form:

http://www.governor.state.or.us/Gov/contact_us.shtml

I always thought driving was a privilege NOT a right.

Originally Posted by dragonfire

I always thought driving was a privilege NOT a right.

Excellent point dragonfire!

Thanks for spoting this PhredE. I read the article when my husband brought the paper home from work, and was excited to see that Kulongoski was actually doing what was right to uphold the laws and look after Oregonians instead of illegal aliens.

"What the governor is basically saying to immigrants is, 'I don't care about you, and I don't care about your rights,"' Ramirez said.

We're not talking about immigrants, as legal immigrants would not have to get an ID from the Conslulars office! Boy they NEVER stop trying to twist the meaning of that word to attempt to hijakc this as an "immigrant" issue instead of one that is talking solely about illegal aliens, two different classes of people altogether.

I sent an email of thanks.

Thank you for the posting.

You said it DF, driving is a privelage, not a right. Where do these illegal idiots get this crap?
Just like they have a "right" to come here and work to support their families. This isn't a right either, it's a morale obligation to provide for one's family. PERIOD.
Stop drinking calderon's and vinnie's kool aid illegals!

I sent a thank you email as well.

Sent an email thanking the gov.

"What the governor is basically saying to immigrants is, 'I don't care about you, and I don't care about your rights,"' Ramirez said.

Way to go Governor, I am very proud of you!!! according to the statement above you are dealing with alot of idiots..Bless you!