WisPolitics Budget Blog

Rep. Colon has proposed a motion to allow the state to issue driving certificates that would allow individuals to get driver's licenses but would clearly state that the ID is not accepted by any federal agency for identification or other official purposes.

Colon said there is a population out there that is going to drive regardless of whether they can get an ID under the new federal regulations imposed by the Real ID Act, and that these people are the backbone of the dairy industry and other jobs across the state. He said there is provision for state driving certificates under the Real ID Act.

The motion failed on an 8-8 partisan vote.

Labels: Colon, real_ID

A Dem-backed proposal on budget paper 795, implementation of the federal Real ID Act, failed on an 8-8 partisan vote.

Failing that, the governor's recommendation in the bill was adopted.

Labels: real_ID

As the committee moves to budget paper 795, regarding the implementation of the federal Real ID Act, Rep. Pedro Colon is voicing his concerns.

Colon, D-Milwaukee, blasted US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales for the initiative, saying it reminds him of when Nazi Germany asked citizens to register their names with the state, or when Fidel Castro took power in Cuba.

He called the initiative "insane" and "frightening."

"I think we should wake up, this is completely against the grain of Democracy," he said. "We are about to compromise our civil rights to the point where we're not coming back."

Rep. Jeff Stone, R-Greendale, cited recent cases of DMV employees creating fraudulent ID cards as a reason for the bill. He said spending resources to ensure security of DMV facilities is appropriate given the desperation of some to acquire a state ID.

Labels: real_ID