Arizona's Real ID plan sputtering

Published: March. 23, 2008 at 7:56 PM
Order reprints
PHOENIX, March 23 (UPI) -- More Arizona lawmakers reportedly are lining up against separate state and federal plans to create secure drivers' licenses.

Real ID, the federal government program that has yet to be implemented, would require that states develop a tamper-proof drivers' license to be issued based on verified documents, including birth certificates, The Arizona Republic reported Sunday.

Arizona lawmakers are planning to make their state's cards voluntary. The card would allow motorists to drive, return from Mexico without a passport and prove employment eligibility under Arizona law.

Legislation to get the state into compliance with the Read ID program is foundering in the Legislature amid privacy and funding concerns since the state must absorb the costs.

"I have problems with both Real ID and the 3-in-1 driver's license and the reason is the same for both. They are way too intrusive, and they won't make us any safer," said Democratic state Rep. Kyrsten Sinema.

Some Republicans, too, are opposed.

"I hope they both go down in flames," state Sen. Karen Johnson said of the 3-in-1 licenses. "I think we're doing fine with what we have."


© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.



Watercooler Stories (5 min)
Jockstrip: The world as we know it. (35 min)
Your Daily Horoscope
The almanac
Panetta: Congress not told of CIA program
Biden goes on the road to defend stimulus
The two-edged sword of online games
fark
Over a 30-day period, U.S. Marshalls arrested over 35k figitives netting 2,356 sex-offenders, 433...
Tennessee Aquarium presents a bowl full of ugly-ass baby penguin. A little milk and we'll have a...
Judge allows Twitter-using DA to 'tweet' upcoming muder trial over defense objections. Prosecution's...
Photoshop theme: The end of the universe
NY Times thinks their website users would pay five bucks per month. Listen, for the last time, no...
Fewer calories allow monkeys to live longer. Good thing you're not a monkey