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Senate committees to hold hearing
Updated: 10/14/2007 6:56:16 PM
By: Web Staff


ALBANY, N.Y. -- Two Senate Committees are holding a joint public hearing later this morning to discuss Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan to issue drivers' licenses to illegal aliens. The panel will hear from several people today including State Commissioner Motor Vehicles David Swarts. Five County Clerks -- including ones from Saratoga and Rensselaer will be there as well. Commissioner Swarts is also a former clerk from Erie County.

The issue is the governor's proposal to give all illegal aliens access to licenses without producing a social security number. State republicans say this poses a security risk -- and Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco says the governor needs a reality check.

Tedisco said "Its kind of scary to think that the Governor says, well we're going to give it to every single illegal alien, what kind of message does that say to people that are actually waiting in line to be citizens, It says if I break the law and come here illegally, if I stay here illegally, and if I drive illegally, the Governor thinks that because I'm here anyway I should make it easier and give illegal drivers licenses."

Tedisco also says he's especially upset over what he calls a secret move by the governor to eliminate the Temporary Visitors Program -- which keeps tabs on documented illegal aliens with an expiration stamp on their license.

The New York State Association of County Clerks passed a resolution in opposition of the governor's plan two-weeks-ago.

Spitzer has argued increasing access to driver's licenses, tied to increased anti-fraud security measures, is good for public safety and good for homeland security

DMV Commissioner Swarts will be a guest this evening on Capital Tonight, at 8 p.m. and again at 11:30 p.m.

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