States Oppose National Driver's License (AP)

[Eugene]

States Oppose National Driver's License
Several States Oppose National Driver's License
Over Privacy Issues and Cost Concerns

By LESLIE MILLER

WASHINGTON Feb 4, 2007 (AP)— A revolt against a national driver's license,
begun in Maine last month, is quickly spreading to other states.

The Maine Legislature on Jan. 26 overwhelmingly passed a resolution objecting
to the Real ID Act of 2005. The federal law sets a national standard for driver's
licenses and requires states to link their record-keeping systems to national
databases.

Within a week of Maine's action, lawmakers in Georgia, Wyoming, Montana, New
Mexico, Vermont and Washington state also balked at Real ID. They are expected
soon to pass laws or adopt resolutions declining to participate in the federal
identification network.

"It's the whole privacy thing," said Matt Sundeen, a transportation analyst for
the National Conference of State Legislatures. "A lot of legislators are concerned
about privacy issues and the cost. It's an estimated $11 billion implementation
cost."

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Full article: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2848002