Baldacci seeks extension on Real ID waiver
11/27/09 | 19 comments

Baldacci seeks extension on Real ID waiver


Maine unready and unwilling to comply by Jan. 1 deadline
By Mal Leary
Capitol News Service

AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. John Baldacci is submitting a request to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to continue Maine’s waiver from requirements of the Real ID law that take effect Jan. 1, 2010.

“I hope Congress acts and passes the Pass ID proposal in December,” he said earlier this week. “Unfortunately, they take things right up to the eleventh hour.”

Baldacci served eight years in the House of Representatives and said he saw firsthand the reluctance of Congress to pass legislation without deadlines. He said if Pass ID is not enacted, the Real ID law provisions take effect, which would hurt Maine and 35 other states that have not fully complied with all of its provisions.

“We have strengthened our driver’s license,” Baldacci said. “We have had abuses here in Maine and we have taken care of them.”

Baldacci endorsed the Pass ID legislation last summer when Napolitano proposed it as an alternative to the controversial Real ID law, which requires people to prove legal presence before being allowed to get a driver’s license. He said there is broad bipartisan support among governors for the measure. He endorsed a letter sent earlier this month from the National Governor’s Association to Congressional leadership urging passage of the legislation before the end of the year.

“Pass ID offers better, more secure and less costly standards for driver’s licenses than Real ID,” the governors wrote. “It would alter Real ID to allow state innovation in meeting security requirements and reduce costs by eliminating unnecessary requirements that do not increase the security and integrity of driver’s licenses and identification cards.”

But Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said it is uncertain the legislation will be acted on before Congress recesses for the holidays.

“In all of my time in the Senate, I have never seen so much on our plate for a December session,” she said earlier this week. “It is very frustrating that the Senate has not yet taken up the Pass ID legislation that we reported out of committee last summer.”

Collins is the ranking GOP member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee and helped negotiate the Pass ID legislation with Napolitano. She said the Secretary does have broad authority to grant waivers under the existing law, but doubts she is in any hurry to ease pressure on Congress.

“There is no doubt this is controversial,” she said. “There are members who favor the original Real ID Act and members that want to repeal the Real ID act outright.”

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said she has not decided whether to endorse the Pass ID proposal. She said while it is an improvement over the existing law, it has a lot of critics and she is unsure whether the House would deal with the bill even if the Senate passed the measure.

“This has been very controversial, and it certainly is in Maine,” she said. “But we don’t want to see the consequences of the Real ID law taking effect and seeing long lines at the Jetport.”

Under existing law, a Maine driver’s license will not be sufficient to prove a person’s identity to board an airplane after the first of the year. Pingree said some in Congress may push for a delay in the existing law to provide the time to work out legislation that is acceptable.

Maine is one of 14 states that have a law saying the state will not comply with the Real ID law. Secretary of State Matt Dunlap is among those in the state who oppose the existing law and the Pass ID alternative. He said the existing law and the proposed measure have serious flaws.

“For example, there is no federal definition of legal presence,” he said.

Dunlap said while Maine has defined the term in state law and spelled out what documents can be used as proof of lawful presence, that is not part of the proposed federal law. He is also critical of the federal government for not addressing its own problems in issuing identification documents pointing to the visa process at the State Department that was criticized in the 9-11 Commission’s report.

Shenna Bellows, executive director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union, also opposes the Pass ID proposal arguing there is little real difference between the measures. She said in some aspects, the Pass ID proposal may be worse than the existing law with the creation of huge databases that could be hacked by crooks.

“The creation of all of these central databases are an identity thief’s dream,” she said.

No action on the Pass ID bill or a simple extension of a waiver of the Real ID provisions has been scheduled in either the House or Senate.

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Comments
19 comments on this item
On 11/27/09 at 3:07 AM, Farmer101 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

No more extensions its been long enough get off your duff and get the job done were paying you to do.

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On 11/27/09 at 6:41 AM, bumpinroad wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

its too bad the federal goverment doesn't crack down on these states that aren't in compliance. it isn't as if they haven't had enough time to do this. this isn't something that just came up it's been out there for a few years already. I believe the state received a million dollar grant last year from the feds to help see this through. and they wonder why the citizens complain about them. too bad teh feds don't hit them hard , stop any monies flowing to agusta.

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On 11/27/09 at 6:55 AM, Coolfusion wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How can something so simple be so complicated? Your either a legal citizen of the US or your not. If your legal, then you allready have multiple documentation sources. If your not a legal citizen, you should be deported, not given semi-identification.

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On 11/27/09 at 8:56 AM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Real ID and pas ID are draconian laws which infringe on the rights of citizens and do nothing to address the real problem of national security, that being that the government will issue a visa to almost anyone.

I have a great idea. issue drivers licenses to Mainers who prove proficient at operation of a motor vehicle. If people need identity cards for boarding planes, cashing checks, leaving the country, or other non-driving tasks let them buy those cards. The rest of us (who stay home, and are known by our neighbors) shouldn't be forced to subsidize those folks flying to Jamaica.

Has anyone considered why the Federal Government has not issued mandatory "identity cards" for all citizens, and instead blackmailed us with our "driving privileges?" Many people, including my brother who lives 1 mile from ground zero, have no driver's license.

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On 11/27/09 at 9:16 AM, OldJim wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Last time I checked, all of the 9/11 terrorists had entered the US legally, were here legally, carried legal ID to board those planes. You'll find that the problem lurks in Washington, not Augusta.

Yet now we'll need passports to fly to Philadelphia. "Papers, Comrade!"

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On 11/27/09 at 9:18 AM, Scintillate wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I don't need to carry around a tracking device, but I guess some people have a need or desire. So if someone wants to go kill their neighbor they are going to say oh "I need to bring my ID." ? Can't leave the house without it.

This is so wrong, soon they will say oh John Doe didn't get his flu shot and a van pulls up at your house and or your force at a check point either get your shot or you have to go home or stay there.

Soon you won't be able to buy groceries without it and they might say Jane you are over weight, no white bread no pizza, no sugar products. Then Janes neighbor runs to the cops and say I saw Jane eating a cookie, Jane goes to jail and you get an extra loaf of bread. You can have only 2 loaves of bread a month because theres only 2 people living in your home.

This is just the beginning, can't wait for lights out a 9:00 p.m., must eat prince spaghetti on wednesday, fish on friday and beans on saturday, oatmeal every morning with no other choices. Can't wait until they say you can't buy extra because it's hording. Soon the government will say food shortage to get people to turn on each other.

I hate people who run to the government and want their every thought, motion and feelings to be controlled. This govenment allowed 9/11 just so they could control everything it's called Problem, Reaction,Solution, exactly what Hilter did. Government creates the problem, knowing it will create a common reaction and then they provide a solution that is an unpleasant to most. Sadly most people do not research to be informed correctly, they just jump on the bandwagon with no thought to the BIG picture.

Hilter is laughing he won, with New World Order.

Hhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REAL_ID_Act#IDs_and_driver.27s_licenses_as_identificationilter won

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On 11/27/09 at 9:43 AM, Knightscross wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

No more extensions Baldy. Do your job for a change. Maine has been invaded by Illegal Criminal Aliens and you do nothing. Think of it this way, Illegals don't pay taxes maybe this is why the state is always broke.

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On 11/27/09 at 9:55 AM, OldJim wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Dude, the State of Maine doesn't run those border crossings and airport Customs stations . . .

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On 11/27/09 at 10:10 AM, Stevey_Dee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Real ID law, which requires people to prove legal presence before being allowed to get a driver’s license..

What is the big deal about this....

It keeps illeagal's from getting a drivers license.

They cant even read the damn road signs and you guys dont mind giving them a license??????

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On 11/27/09 at 10:36 AM, Beelzebubba wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

In 2004, Glorious Leader Baldacci quietly signed an executive order making Maine the first Illegal Alien Sanctuary State in America.

Hope you 38% who voted for this clown are happy.

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On 11/27/09 at 11:20 AM, gw2kpro wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If Baldacci wasn't on his hands and knees at every opportunity begging for federal $$$$ then he would have a stronger case.

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On 11/27/09 at 11:41 AM, Scintillate wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

telefunkinu47 if that were the case then why should a person who has had a drivers license in Maine and paid taxes for 10,20+ years have a birth certificate, s.s.i. number, hospital records, been on a census every 10 years for all their life need to get a Real ID? It's not just about aliens getting the ID it's about everyone. Do you feel comfortable about wearing a homing device that sees you go to a store, to work, to a neighbors house? It will get to a point that you can't even leave your house without your ID are you'll be arrested and fined for it. The government will never stop at just aliens this is New World Order.

9/11 was about putting fear into everyone, so everyone would scream to have their rights taken away. Remember history, they put Indians on rez's then they wouldn't let them hunt, they provided them the with food and stuff, rotten bug filled spoiled food and blankets with diseases, if you think it won't happen again it will only this time it'll be everyone.

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On 11/27/09 at 12:10 PM, Stevey_Dee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Scintillate , so you don't mind an ilegal coming to Me and getting a drivers licence?

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On 11/27/09 at 12:27 PM, HowIseeIt wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Conspiracy Theororists, wake up, the government has more on it's plate then peering in your bedrooms. State of Maine needs to get its act together and come in line. Make the neccessary changes now! if your are illegal, then you don't get a license until you become legal, plain and simple.

If any of you think the U.S planned 9-11 then I have a bridge to sell you.

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On 11/27/09 at 12:28 PM, OldJim wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The 9/11 terrorists weren't illegals. They could have gotten drivers' licenses under the Real ID laws . . .

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On 11/27/09 at 12:36 PM, Stevey_Dee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

You can get into the country with a pass port anyway...Don't need a drivers license.

The point is you do not need Chico and Tequila swilling buddies coming across and getting a drivers license....

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On 11/27/09 at 1:47 PM, LawDisOrder wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

What is so hard about a one in a lifetime event of bringing in the proper documents to get you license. We do it when e apply for a job. We do it when we want to go to college. Such a big deal about nothing. Get on board so there are not loop holes in these state systems. If there is a weak spot in the system, then fix it, don't trash it and start over. We spend soooo much money and time debating stupid things rather than doing the work. When this new health care mess comes on line I would hope that proper identification is required so we don't end up providing health care to anyone who happens to get over a fence, swim a river, hop a boat etcv to get here. Can't follow these rants about 9-1 being allowed, big brother spying, all they want is a secure system to amke sure people who are hear leaglly can get a license. Not a real hard idea to understand. My question, why soooo long to get this done. Just do it, cost gto much, have China do it, seems we have them build everything else. OK, I'm done.....

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On 11/28/09 at 2:34 PM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

On 11/27/09 at 12:10 PM, Telefunkinu47 wrote:

"...so you don't mind an ilegal coming to Me and getting a drivers license"

I'm not the one you asked, but no. I don't mind if everyone in the United States legally or illegally has a Maine drivers license, as long as the only use for a drivers license is driving. This is a power grab pure and simple. read about the Reichstag fire, and how Hitler used this (created) disaster to reign in German citizens rights. The borders need to be closed to illegals. That has not happened, and won't happen until the government has used this issue to the max. SWorry, I go with Ben Franklin on this, he said: "Those who would trade their liberty for a little security deserve neither liberty nor security."

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On 11/28/09 at 2:34 PM, HarryHSnyderIII wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

On 11/27/09 at 12:10 PM, Telefunkinu47 wrote:

"...so you don't mind an ilegal coming to Me and getting a drivers license"

I'm not the one you asked, but no. I don't mind if everyone in the United States legally or illegally has a Maine drivers license, as long as the only use for a drivers license is driving. This is a power grab pure and simple. read about the Reichstag fire, and how Hitler used this (created) disaster to reign in German citizens rights. The borders need to be closed to illegals. That has not happened, and won't happen until the government has used this issue to the max. SWorry, I go with Ben Franklin on this, he said: "Those who would trade their liberty for a little security deserve neither liberty nor security."

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