Spitzer: Committed to license plan for now, but 'wait and see'


Associated Press - November 10, 2007 5:25 AM ET

NEW YORK (AP) - New York Governor Eliot Spitzer -- who's facing growing political pressure over his plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants -- is indicating he hasn't ruled out rescinding it.

Published reports say Spitzer said yesterday he was standing by the plan for now, but he suggested he might consider backing off if he couldn't build enthusiasm for it.

According to the reports, Spitzer noted that government leaders sometimes float ideas that "don't work out" because they don't garner support. He said he thought the license plan was the right idea "as of now," but said: "We'll wait and see."

He spoke to reporters after meeting with Hispanic lawmakers in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Spitzer has said the license plan would boost security by identifying more immigrants, among other benefits. But opponents see security risks in giving government identification to as many as 1 million illegal immigrants in the state.

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