By Kristen Wyatt
The Associated Press
February 15, 2007, 5:01 PM EST
ANNAPOLIS -- Maryland's drivers could see the cost of licenses
jump from $45 to $195 under a federal law setting up a
nationalized identification system. In response, state lawmakers
are considering joining a national protest of state legislatures
pleading for changes to the federal Real ID Act.
The law, passed in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, aims to
improve security by establishing uniform national rules for
identification needed to board airplanes or enter federal
buildings. Real ID would take effect next spring, but a growing
number of states are taking issue with an estimated $11 billion
national price tag to make the changes.
Though states aren't required to overhaul their driver's license
operations, most adults use the licenses as ID. That means the
nation's 245 million drivers would have to get new driver's
licenses to board planes.
"It's like a 'Godfather' offer. It's an offer we can't refuse,"
said Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery, who sponsored a resolution
in the Senate telling Congress Maryland opposes the Real ID Act.
The other sponsor, Sen. Jennie Forehand, said Real ID will cost
Maryland about $150 million to implement, and with tight
budgets, most of the expense would have to be shifted to
drivers, which could cost as much as $195 each.
"We're gonna get phone calls up the kazoo from our constituents
if this happens," said Forehand, also a Democrat from Montgomery
County. She called Real ID a "disaster" and "an unfunded
mandate."
Similar complaints are echoing across the nation's state
legislatures. Maine has flatly refused to comply with Real ID.
Lawmakers have also balked in Georgia, Wyoming, Montana, New
Mexico, Vermont and Washington state. Congress is also
considering repealing the measure.
A Real ID expert from the National Conference of State
Legislatures told the Senate committee that specific cost
estimates aren't available because the federal Department of
Homeland Security hasn't yet spelled out what states have to do.
Molly Ramsdell said she wasn't sure states would be able to make
a May 2008 deadline.
"We don't have the time, and we don't have the money," Ramsdell
said. NCSL and the National Governors Association combined last
fall to back a paper calling for increased federal funding for
Real ID, saying that otherwise licenses would be more expensive.
"It is not realistic to expect significant improvements to be
made while keeping the cost per card at or near current levels,"
the groups said in a 2006 analysis. The report also warns of
long lines because all drivers would have to go in person to get
the new licenses.
In a Senate committee hearing on the resolution today, not all
senators agreed that the Real ID Act should be stopped.
Republican Sen. Nancy Jacobs pointed out that one of the Sept.
11 hijackers, Mohammed Atta, used a Maryland license to board a
plane. She called the cost of the Real ID Act a worthy expense
if it would prevent another attack.
"I would've gladly waited several days for my license if it
would've prevented Mohammed Atta from flying that first plane,"
said Jacobs, who represents Harford and Cecil counties.
Another Republican, Sen. Larry Haines, said he wouldn't vote for
the resolution unless sponsors took out language saying the Real
ID Act won't make the nation safer.
"I can't hardly agree with that," he said.
And Democratic Sen. James Brochin said he couldn't understand
objection to the law.
"What's wrong with having a driver's license that's safe and
secure?" Brochin asked.
If approved, the resolution would not mean Maryland won't comply
with the federal law. The resolution would simply urge Congress
to intervene. Jay Stanley of the American Civil Liberties Union
testified that many states are considering similar resolutions.
"There is a national state rebellion on this," Stanley said.
On the Net
Read Senate Resolution 5:
http://mlis.state.md.us/2007rs/billfile/SJ0005.htm
State-by-state Real ID legislation:
http://www.ncsl.org/realid
Source URL for Story:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-id0215,1,4831518,print.story?coll=bal-home-headlines
Copyright © 2007, The Associated Press
