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Gregoire signs bill rejecting
national ID card
DAVID AMMONS
AP
Thursday April 19, 2007
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire, who is developing a high-tech
state driver's license that can serve as a border-crossing document,
signed legislation Wednesday rejecting Real ID, a federal identification
requirement that would essentially create a national ID card.
The legislation is part of a growing rebellion against an expensive
federal mandate that the American Civil Liberties Union says would
threaten personal privacy.
The new state law says Washington will not implement the new Real
ID system unless: Uncle Sam foots the bill, the government takes
steps to ensure that privacy and data security concerns are addressed,
and the system doesn't place unreasonable costs or record-keeping
burdens on the average citizen.
The measure also gives the state attorney general the authority,
if the governor concurs, to go to court to challenge the federal
law.
The system was adopted by Congress in 2005, growing out of homeland
security concerns. It requires states to develop a new driver's
license and personal identification card that allows information
to be stored and checked by national databases. It requires the
applicant to show a birth certificate, proof of citizenship, proof
of state residency and other information. The person's driving history
and other information must be stored electronically by the state.
The new system, which is supposed to be a requirement in 2008,
would cost the state $250 million to develop and implement, the
governor said.
"This is another unfunded mandate from the federal government
and, even worse, it doesn't protect the privacy of the citizens
of Washington," Gregoire said in signing the bill.
The measure passed both houses with a strong bipartisan vote.
INFOWARS:
BECAUSE THERE'S A WAR ON FOR YOUR MIND
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