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Schwarzenegger VETOED driving licenses
GOVERNOR VETOED IDENTICAL LEGISLATION ALLOWING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO DRIVE
Despite six failed attempts over the past seven years, state Sen. Gil Cedillo on Tuesday re-introduced his proposal to allow illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses.
And no matter what happens politically, the measure is sure to drive a contentious debate far beyond the state Capitol between undocumented workers who say they are in California to meet labor demands, and conservatives who insist the state must not reward those who violate federal immigration laws.
The new legislation, SB 1160, is identical to last year's SB 60, which Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed in October, saying the measure ``could undermine national security efforts to identify individuals who pose enormous risk to the safety of Californians.''
Schwarzenegger's press secretary reiterated that stance Tuesday.
``The governor remains firm in his commitment to put public safety before any other issue,'' Margita Thompson said. She added that Schwarzenegger still believes that issuing the licenses would be premature because the state is awaiting federal regulations on how to comply with standards Congress has approved for licenses.
Those guidelines, known as Real ID, will require by 2008 that every driver obtain a new license to meet national standards. States would be allowed to issue licenses to drivers who cannot prove legal status, though the license cannot be used for identification purposes.
Both sides raise public safety
Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, says the public is at risk when more than 2 million illegal immigrants drive the state's roads untested, unlicensed and uninsured. ``Californian's are moderate, fair, and they want the same thing all Americans want: security and safety,'' Cedillo told reporters in his office.
He added that Californians also should feel safer if illegal immigrants' names, addresses and photographs were part of a statewide database, such as the one held by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The licenses he envisions would carry a distinct mark -- something Schwarzenegger suggested two years ago as a condition of his approval, which Cedillo at first rejected, saying the distinction was akin to a Star of David that Jews were made to wear in Nazi Germany.
As he did last year, Cedillo shaped the proposal to comply with the upcoming federal guidelines.
Cedillo offered varying reasons when asked why he believes his proposed law has a chance of approval this legislative session -- depending on whether he was speaking in English or Spanish.
``I think this is a great time to do it,'' Cedillo said in English. ``I think Californians stated very clearly in the last election, they want the governor to keep his word.''
Jokes about governor
But when addressing reporters from Spanish-language media, Cedillo reorganized his top reason to poke fun at the governor who wasn't endorsed to drive motorcycles when he crashed his Harley-Davidson last weekend.
``Well, we have a governor who drives without a license,'' said Cedillo, who added that he expects the governor to have sympathy for the estimated 2.5 million unlicensed drivers.
Since 1999, Cedillo has made six attempts to let illegal immigrants obtain licenses. Two bills were vetoed by Gov. Gray Davis. One was signed by him then repealed by the Legislature, one was denied a key hearing and two were rejected by Schwarzenegger.
Some analysts questioned Cedillo's persistence, given the bill's unpopular history, fears of terrorism, the state's pressing needs and a gubernatorial election year.
Opinion polls show Davis improved his standing with Latino voters when he signed Cedillo's bill in 2003, but in doing so he lost favor with the much larger share of non-Latino voters in the recall election.
``I think it puts Democrats in the Legislature, and those perhaps running for statewide office, in a very uncomfortable position,'' said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a senior scholar at the school of Policy, Planning and Development at the University of Southern California. ``Republicans will probably feel more amenable to a veto than a signing.''
Immigrant advocates are grateful for the new bill.
``I think Cedillo is doing his part as a legislator who worries for the safety of all Californians,'' said José Sandoval, a San Jose resident who leads an organization, Voluntarios de la Comunidad.
Despite six failed attempts over the past seven years, state Sen. Gil Cedillo on Tuesday re-introduced his proposal to allow illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses.
And no matter what happens politically, the measure is sure to drive a contentious debate far beyond the state Capitol between undocumented workers who say they are in California to meet labor demands, and conservatives who insist the state must not reward those who violate federal immigration laws.
The new legislation, SB 1160, is identical to last year's SB 60, which Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoed in October, saying the measure ``could undermine national security efforts to identify individuals who pose enormous risk to the safety of Californians.''
Schwarzenegger's press secretary reiterated that stance Tuesday.
``The governor remains firm in his commitment to put public safety before any other issue,'' Margita Thompson said. She added that Schwarzenegger still believes that issuing the licenses would be premature because the state is awaiting federal regulations on how to comply with standards Congress has approved for licenses.
Those guidelines, known as Real ID, will require by 2008 that every driver obtain a new license to meet national standards. States would be allowed to issue licenses to drivers who cannot prove legal status, though the license cannot be used for identification purposes.
Both sides raise public safety
Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, says the public is at risk when more than 2 million illegal immigrants drive the state's roads untested, unlicensed and uninsured. ``Californian's are moderate, fair, and they want the same thing all Americans want: security and safety,'' Cedillo told reporters in his office.
He added that Californians also should feel safer if illegal immigrants' names, addresses and photographs were part of a statewide database, such as the one held by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The licenses he envisions would carry a distinct mark -- something Schwarzenegger suggested two years ago as a condition of his approval, which Cedillo at first rejected, saying the distinction was akin to a Star of David that Jews were made to wear in Nazi Germany.
As he did last year, Cedillo shaped the proposal to comply with the upcoming federal guidelines.
Cedillo offered varying reasons when asked why he believes his proposed law has a chance of approval this legislative session -- depending on whether he was speaking in English or Spanish.
``I think this is a great time to do it,'' Cedillo said in English. ``I think Californians stated very clearly in the last election, they want the governor to keep his word.''
Jokes about governor
But when addressing reporters from Spanish-language media, Cedillo reorganized his top reason to poke fun at the governor who wasn't endorsed to drive motorcycles when he crashed his Harley-Davidson last weekend.
``Well, we have a governor who drives without a license,'' said Cedillo, who added that he expects the governor to have sympathy for the estimated 2.5 million unlicensed drivers.
Since 1999, Cedillo has made six attempts to let illegal immigrants obtain licenses. Two bills were vetoed by Gov. Gray Davis. One was signed by him then repealed by the Legislature, one was denied a key hearing and two were rejected by Schwarzenegger.
Some analysts questioned Cedillo's persistence, given the bill's unpopular history, fears of terrorism, the state's pressing needs and a gubernatorial election year.
Opinion polls show Davis improved his standing with Latino voters when he signed Cedillo's bill in 2003, but in doing so he lost favor with the much larger share of non-Latino voters in the recall election.
``I think it puts Democrats in the Legislature, and those perhaps running for statewide office, in a very uncomfortable position,'' said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a senior scholar at the school of Policy, Planning and Development at the University of Southern California. ``Republicans will probably feel more amenable to a veto than a signing.''
Immigrant advocates are grateful for the new bill.
``I think Cedillo is doing his part as a legislator who worries for the safety of all Californians,'' said José Sandoval, a San Jose resident who leads an organization, Voluntarios de la Comunidad.
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Comments
I honestly don't see why we need to provide people, that are here illegally, with valid driver's licenses for a country/state they're not supposed to be in.
I think instead of giving them validity for being in a country illegally (by providing them with a sort of legal documentation) we should deport them. Place them safely back in their own country - unless there is a "political asylum" issue.
America gets slammed no matter what we do. No matter what happens - we become the bad guy. We also have enough people in our own country with no food, no money to pay for heat in the winter, no health care - without worrying about people that aren't even a part of this nation.
Charity starts at home.
-bf
"Charity starts at home" I bet your a big tipper at the local El Torito .
HH
I was going to respond to this, but I refuse to get drug into your trolling for arguments.
You can be right. I'm in denial. I don't tip Hispanic people in some of the local Hispanic restaurants because I hate <Herman gets to insert his racially denigrating comment>'s. I'm also the one strongarming all these poor, innocent victims into sneaking into this country and working for less than minimum wage.
Does that about cover how much of an ass I am?
You got me good.
Respond if you want - I'm done with this thread.
-bf
Simon,
I don't get it.
Help a poor soul.
-bf
I'm still wondering if Simon was trying to teach me something.
-bf
*She said....
Diplomatically.....*
-bf
Me? i'm jus' learning it might be better for me to jus' butt out completely, and keep my diplomatic yap shut....!! :rolleyesc
Anyways Buddhafoot knows Charity and compassion are the same thing. I am sorry if I offended him.
Simon,
You make an excellent point. And again, you give me food for thought.
I actually didn't think that the question was a bad or malicious question. That's why I posted a reply.
But when honest opinions are given, for bad or worse, right or wrong - and they're met with denigrating replies that make assumptions about what I do to others in my community - I have no problem letting someone know that I won't continue to partake in what they are offering me. Obviously, there are opinions formed of what I do and how I act and .... that's fine. And, if self-deprecation makes someone feel like they've gained something - that's fine with me. Because, what others think of me truly has no bearing on what or who I am.
Now, if my comments offended others and their participation in this sangha OR affected them adversely, I offer my apologies. My "intent" in participating in this group is not to offend - I truly hope that my participation on this site brings something of a positive nature to those who participate.
-bf
Palzang