With a new presidential administration that could overturn the federal mandate for states to implement REAL ID, Gov. Jim Doyle has decided to pull the funding for the controversial program in his 2009-11 budget.

The program, which was mandated by the Department of Homeland Security in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, irked some state officials because the federal government mandated it be paid for by the states.

By pulling the appropriation for the program, policymakers would save the state up to $6 million in fiscal year 2010 and nearly $11 million in fiscal year 2011. However, some of that money is still being used to meet some requirements of REAL ID, said Patrick Fernan, operations manager for the state Department of Motor Vehicles.

Fernan said continues to collect the $10 issuance fee on drivers licenses and identification cards. Some of that money will continue to go toward improving the security of state-issued drivers license and identification cards.

"With the money we spent to reposition ourselves well to be in compliance with REAL ID, until we know how REAL ID may be changed it's wise to hold off for now to see how things play out," Fernan said.

REAL ID was championed in Congress by U.S. Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Menomonee Falls. Sensenbrenner chief of staff Tom Schreibel said today that the program is not only necessary for homeland security -- he said the 9-11 terrorists had more than 50 drivers licenses -- but also driver safety. The act standardizes licensure authentication and issuance procedures.

"It's unfortunate the governor's chosen to zero out the program," he said.

Asked if there would be any punitive actions against for Wisconsin for lack of compliance, Schreibel said, "That's up (Homeland Security Secretary Janet) Napolitano."

Napolitano is the former Democratic governor of Arizona appointed to the federal post by President Obama.

Rep. Pedro Colon, D-Milwaukee, a member of the Joint Finance Committee, argued for eliminating funding in the last budget.

"I think the economic crisis sort of speaks for itself regarding this item. It's a very expensive item," he said. "Until the Department of Homeland Security defines this or we find (federal) funding for it, we shouldn't be paying for it."

-- By Greg Bump