Governor's Letter Raises Volume Of Real ID Debate

POSTED: 6:55 am EDT April 6, 2008


AUGUSTA, Maine -- Gov. John Baldacci's decision to seek changes in Maine's driver's license standards to satisfy federal officials' demands has cranked up the volume of public debate over the government's Real ID program.

The law aimed at making state-issued licenses more secure is fodder in Maine political campaigns and was the subject of a report on CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight program. The coming days promise to bring more commentary.

Read: Gov. John Baldacci's April 2 Letter To Department Of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff

On Monday, several groups outraged by Baldacci's decision plan a news conference in the State House. The Maine Civil Liberties Union will be joined by the Roman Catholic Diocese and immigration and civil rights groups.

Meanwhile, Republican legislative leaders are praising the Democratic governor for promising to stop issuing licenses to illegal aliens.

House Republican leader Josh Tardy said there's a need to set minimum license standards to reduce the nation's vulnerability to fraud by terrorists, identity thieves and illegal aliens.

http://www.wmtw.com/news/15805722/detail.html