It's legislative suicide, said Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester.
Still, the Senate today (April 21) passed a transportation policy conference committee report containing a provision pertaining to the federal REAL ID Act unacceptable to Gov. Tim Pawlenty. by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter
It's legislative suicide, said Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester.
Still, the Senate today (April 21) passed a transportation policy conference committee report containing a provision pertaining to the federal REAL ID Act unacceptable to Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
This bill is headed to "Veto Land," Senjem insisted.
All that's needed is to change a few words, he insisted.
Pawlenty Spokesman Brian McClung left no doubt about the bill's future. "The Governor will veto the bill as written," he said in an e-mail. "Governor Pawlenty agrees we must ensure that proper privacy protections and precautions are in place," McClung said.
"However, this bill would prohibit the
state from being able to move forward with a secure identify document to improve homeland security and combat illegal immigration," he said.
Tying the state's hands
"We don't believe it's appropriate to tie the state's hands in this manner," said McClung.
But Senate Democrats expressed worry not only over what they perceived as an unfunded federal mandate but a lack of assurances from Washington that citizen's private data will be protected.
"I'm not trying to scare anybody, but I am," said Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, of the concerns.
Concerns over funding is not limited to the Minnesota Legislature.
The National Governors Association in a recent letter to President George Bush noted that the federal government itself has estimated that state compliance to REAL ID over the next 10 years will cost nearly $4 billion.
So far, only a fraction of this total cost has been provided, the associate noted.
Under the conference committee report, the federal government must first provide sufficient funding to cover 95 percent of the cost of REAL ID compliance to the state before any state funds can be spent.
Other restrictions, too, are specified.
Murphy argued that the governor simply doesn't want any REAL ID provision in the bill. It wasn't a question of changing a few words, he argued.
Passes on 51-11 vote
The transportation legislation passed the Senate on a 51-11 vote.
The Senate Republican Caucus itself failed to hold tight on the vote.
Local senators Gerlach, Jungbauer, Koch, Koering, Limmer, and Vandeveer voted with Democrats to pass the bill.
REAL ID would have additional information added to state driver's licenses or IDs.
Several Senate transportation provisions failed to make the conference committee report.
Primary seat belt, child passenger restraint, and language allowing cities to issue administrative traffic tickets are not found in the conference committee report.
Still, the Senate today (April 21) passed a transportation policy conference committee report containing a provision pertaining to the federal REAL ID Act unacceptable to Gov. Tim Pawlenty. by T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter
It's legislative suicide, said Senate Minority Leader David Senjem, R-Rochester.
Still, the Senate today (April 21) passed a transportation policy conference committee report containing a provision pertaining to the federal REAL ID Act unacceptable to Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
This bill is headed to "Veto Land," Senjem insisted.
All that's needed is to change a few words, he insisted.
Pawlenty Spokesman Brian McClung left no doubt about the bill's future. "The Governor will veto the bill as written," he said in an e-mail. "Governor Pawlenty agrees we must ensure that proper privacy protections and precautions are in place," McClung said.
"However, this bill would prohibit the
state from being able to move forward with a secure identify document to improve homeland security and combat illegal immigration," he said.
Tying the state's hands
"We don't believe it's appropriate to tie the state's hands in this manner," said McClung.
But Senate Democrats expressed worry not only over what they perceived as an unfunded federal mandate but a lack of assurances from Washington that citizen's private data will be protected.
"I'm not trying to scare anybody, but I am," said Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, of the concerns.
Concerns over funding is not limited to the Minnesota Legislature.
The National Governors Association in a recent letter to President George Bush noted that the federal government itself has estimated that state compliance to REAL ID over the next 10 years will cost nearly $4 billion.
So far, only a fraction of this total cost has been provided, the associate noted.
Under the conference committee report, the federal government must first provide sufficient funding to cover 95 percent of the cost of REAL ID compliance to the state before any state funds can be spent.
Other restrictions, too, are specified.
Murphy argued that the governor simply doesn't want any REAL ID provision in the bill. It wasn't a question of changing a few words, he argued.
Passes on 51-11 vote
The transportation legislation passed the Senate on a 51-11 vote.
The Senate Republican Caucus itself failed to hold tight on the vote.
Local senators Gerlach, Jungbauer, Koch, Koering, Limmer, and Vandeveer voted with Democrats to pass the bill.
REAL ID would have additional information added to state driver's licenses or IDs.
Several Senate transportation provisions failed to make the conference committee report.
Primary seat belt, child passenger restraint, and language allowing cities to issue administrative traffic tickets are not found in the conference committee report.
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