Thread: License proposal re-introduced in California

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercuryn ... 598829.htm

Posted on Wed, Jan. 11, 2006



License proposal re-introduced
GOVERNOR VETOED IDENTICAL LEGISLATION ALLOWING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO DRIVE
By Edwin Garcia
Mercury News Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO - Despite six failed attempts over the past seven years, state Sen. Gil Cedillo on Tuesday re-introduced his proposal to allow illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses.

And no matter what happens politically, the measure is sure to drive a contentious debate far beyond the state Capitol between undocumented workers who say they are in California to meet labor demands, and conservatives who insist the state must not reward those who violate federal immigration laws.

The new legislation, SB 1160, is identical to last year's SB 60, which Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed in October, saying the measure ``could undermine national security efforts to identify individuals who pose enormous risk to the safety of Californians.''

Schwarzenegger's press secretary reiterated that stance Tuesday.

``The governor remains firm in his commitment to put public safety before any other issue,'' Margita Thompson said. She added that Schwarzenegger still believes that issuing the licenses would be premature because the state is awaiting federal regulations on how to comply with standards Congress has approved for licenses.

Those guidelines, known as Real ID, will require by 2008 that every driver obtain a new license to meet national standards. States would be allowed to issue licenses to drivers who cannot prove legal status, though the license cannot be used for identification purposes.

Both sides raise public safety

Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, says the public is at risk when more than 2 million illegal immigrants drive the state's roads untested, unlicensed and uninsured. ``Californian's are moderate, fair, and they want the same thing all Americans want: security and safety,'' Cedillo told reporters in his office.

He added that Californians also should feel safer if illegal immigrants' names, addresses and photographs were part of a statewide database, such as the one held by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The licenses he envisions would carry a distinct mark -- something Schwarzenegger suggested two years ago as a condition of his approval, which Cedillo at first rejected, saying the distinction was akin to a Star of David that Jews were made to wear in Nazi Germany.

As he did last year, Cedillo shaped the proposal to comply with the upcoming federal guidelines.

Cedillo offered varying reasons when asked why he believes his proposed law has a chance of approval this legislative session -- depending on whether he was speaking in English or Spanish.

``I think this is a great time to do it,'' Cedillo said in English. ``I think Californians stated very clearly in the last election, they want the governor to keep his word.''

Jokes about governor

But when addressing reporters from Spanish-language media, Cedillo reorganized his top reason to poke fun at the governor who wasn't endorsed to drive motorcycles when he crashed his Harley-Davidson last weekend.

``Well, we have a governor who drives without a license,'' said Cedillo, who added that he expects the governor to have sympathy for the estimated 2.5 million unlicensed drivers.

Since 1999, Cedillo has made six attempts to let illegal immigrants obtain licenses. Two bills were vetoed by Gov. Gray Davis. One was signed by him then repealed by the Legislature, one was denied a key hearing and two were rejected by Schwarzenegger.

Some analysts questioned Cedillo's persistence, given the bill's unpopular history, fears of terrorism, the state's pressing needs and a gubernatorial election year.

Opinion polls show Davis improved his standing with Latino voters when he signed Cedillo's bill in 2003, but in doing so he lost favor with the much larger share of non-Latino voters in the recall election.

``I think it puts Democrats in the Legislature, and those perhaps running for statewide office, in a very uncomfortable position,'' said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a senior scholar at the school of Policy, Planning and Development at the University of Southern California. ``Republicans will probably feel more amenable to a veto than a signing.''

Immigrant advocates are grateful for the new bill.

``I think Cedillo is doing his part as a legislator who worries for the safety of all Californians,'' said José Sandoval, a San Jose resident who leads an organization, Voluntarios de la Comunidad.

Contact Edwin Garcia at egarcia@mercurynews.com or (916) 441-4651.

So One Bill Gil surfaces again.