Thread: Passing the buck on driver's license security in Oregon

Passing the buck on driver's license security in Oregon

Published: November 2, 2007



By LINDA FLORES and
KIM THATCHER

Oregonians deserve a secure system for drivers' licenses but it won't happen any time soon in Salem. The Transportation Committees are getting set for the February 2008 legislative session. So far they've shown little interest in making sure Oregon is following federal law to assure drivers' licenses are issued to people who are legally in the country.

Our prediction for 2008: legislative leaders won't bring Oregon into compliance with the new guidelines but might give "driving privileges" to people here illegally. The legislature should ensure our citizens can board airplanes, enter federal buildings and use their drivers' licenses in other states.

Governor Kulongoski and Democrat lawmakers recently realized Oregon has become a magnet for people without legal presence seeking drivers' licenses. They now recognize this creates a black market for phony documents, spreads identity theft, encourages drug trafficking and threatens national security. Last weekend, three illegal immigrants were pulled over on I-5 with a half-million dollars worth of cocaine and meth, one of the largest busts in years.

Memo to the Dems in Salem: "better late than never." We've been pushing for immigration reform for years. In 2005 a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent told legislators that due to lax drivers' license laws, "literally tens of thousands of people were smuggled into Oregon solely for the purpose of obtaining Oregon identification." Last year the Governor's State ID taskforce warned the current policies increase "the risk that DMV will issue license and identification cards to people who aren't who they say they are and that more ‘fraudsters' will come to Oregon from out of state." What about the case in Hillsboro where 80,000 illegal immigrants might have acquired Oregon drivers' licenses with fake documents?

Since we all seem to understand the problem, it's time Democrats controlling the Legislature join us for the solution. We hope they'll implement the updated federal regulations in 2008. So far they've passed the buck back to the Governor, expecting his administrative powers to fix everything. DMV has said repeatedly they can't verify legal status without legislative action.

The Governor now wants a two-tiered approach. It's insincere for the Governor to launch a new ID theft program and brag about the anti-terrorist drill at the same time he's pitching a plan to give illegal immigrants a special driving-only certificate. What about his campaign pledge to "ensure nonresidents don't obtain" drivers' licenses? Tennessee, one of the only states to try this dual approach, repealed their law because it caused all sorts of graft and corruption.

A secondary license seems irresponsible and sends a mixed message. Law abiding residents would meet a higher threshold compared to those who are breaking the law.

Instead of $15 million in raises for bureaucrats, the Governor could put that money toward enhanced security for our drivers' licenses and forget about a double standard for illegal immigrants.

We can't wait any longer. The feds have given states an extension until 2013, but we need to act quickly if we're going to meet that deadline.

Linda Flores, Republican, is a state representative from Clackamas. Kim Thatcher, a Republican, is a state representative from Keizer.

http://www.keizertimes.com/news/story.cfm?story_no=8688

I can not believe how lax Oregon has become since is lived there in 1980, I am shocked!!

This garbage about "making the roads safer", like Spitzer and his lackies claim is absurd. Think about this.....many only drive when necessary, usually to work and hopefully sober. You give them a license, now they are going to drive everywhere all the time...to the bars, etc. It will greatly increase the illegal drivers on the road and anyone with a brain knows they aren't going to buy insurance. WHY should they?? They can get another car for what the insurance costs and there won't be any penalities. They are totally crazy to think this will make people safer.

Jean, you're not trying to shame a fellow Admin are you?

Yes, this situation has been brewing off in the background and seems to ebb and flow in parallel with other publicity on the ID/security issue.

See what happens. I think they have good ideas and I'm sorry to see our Governor (Kulongoski - a Dem; with a very respectable resume, but so far, but with a rather mediocre record in the the Gov job...) hasn't signed on to this idea with greater enthusiasm. He still feels compelled to plod along as if in full fledged pander mode.

PhredE said:

Jean, you're not trying to shame a fellow Admin are you?

Living where I do no way am I in a position to shame another Admin.

(We've got our share of problems up here too)

The "new Federal guidelines" come from the Real ID. Do not let this article deceive you.