Maine revolts against digital U.S. ID card
Maine lawmakers on Thursday became the first in the nation to demand repeal of a federal law tightening identification requirements for drivers’ licenses, a post-September 11 security measure that states say will cost them billions of dollars to administer.Maine lawmakers passed a resolution urging repeal of the Real ID Act, which would create a national digital identification system by 2008. The lawmakers said it would cost Maine about $185 million, fail to boost security and put people at greater risk of identity theft.
Maine’s resolution is the strongest stand yet by a state against the law, which Congress passed in May 2004 and gave states three years to implement. Similar repeal measures are pending in eight other states.
“We cannot be spending millions of state dollars on an initiative that does more harm to our state than good,” said Maine’s House Majority leader Hannah Pingree, a Democrat, in a statement that called it a “massive unfunded federal mandate.”
-Reuters News Agency
Perhaps there is hope in the great state of Maine to stop NAIS, the REAL ID for farms. Let your state and federal legislators know you object to REAL ID and NAIS. No tagging people or animals - See the contacts in the top of the right sidebar.
Wow I am impressed that they are fighting the REAL ID program. It is just as bad as the NAIS program in my opinion and they both go hand in hand. Hoping to educate the locals on both programs and get them to fight these things. Anyway to find out who the other 8 states are that are repealing the REAL ID? Hope one of them is Colorado.
Comment Hied — January 26, 2007 @ 11:56 am
WooHoo! What wonderful news! People in Maine should start writing to their elected officials in support of this measure.
Comment Rachael — January 26, 2007 @ 12:01 pm
WA has introduced SJM 8005- No REAL ID in WA. So folks contact your legislators in WA and especially the sponsor Senator Val Stevens, and say it is “For the record
This is it, we either act now or we will reap the fruit of apathy…and we won’t like it.
You have till Feb. 22 to comment but act now so they know you are watching.
Come and testify and I will show you ropes and even give you a guided tour :-)
Comment Celeste — January 26, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
Alaska struck the first legal blow in the fight against a national ID card by refusing to pass legislation to bring the state in line with REAL ID requirements.
The bill, SB-189, breezed through the state’s rubber stamp Senate before being killed by a duo of freedom-loving legislators in the House of Representatives. Who are these heroes of the Bill of Rights? Front and center is Rep. Paul Seaton of Homer, a commercial fisherman and Chairman of the House State Affairs Committee. Through his leadership and by voting against fellow Republicans, Rep. Seaton killed SB-189 and beat back a last minute attempt to resurrect the bill by his party. The party paid him back by killing most, if not all of his own bills.
Assisting him in fighting-off REAL ID was Rep. Max Gruenberg of Anchorage, the former House majority leader when it was under Democratic control. Rep. Gruenberg worked across party lines to make sure that this piece of un-American legislation died on the vine.
The Identity Project is proud to have been involved in testifying before the State Affairs Committee and providing the information needed to make sure that the oppression of a national ID card never hits the shores of the Last Frontier.
Alaska has said ‘no’ to a national ID card: which other state will love freedom enough to follow in their footsteps?
But word has it that it will be brought back up for discussions.
Last year the REAL ID died in committee, But of course it will come back as everything else does. I cant find the notes at all.
Here are links:
link
link
link
[Yea, Alaska! Keep an eye on it. -WJ]
Comment Gisela — January 26, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
Rep. I am Missouri State Rep. Jim Guest. I have been working with multiple states to form a coalition ban the Real ID act in every state. We have been asking all legislatures to file the same bill or one similar and a committee to review the act and have hearings across each state to let the people become aware of it.
We all congratulate Maine for being the first of us to get the job done.
If you are a legislator who has filed or wanting to file against the Real ID Act please call me at 573-751-0246 Capitol office or this weekend my cell phone at 660-483-0900 or my Chief of Staff Louise at 660-483-0901.
Please send me a copy of your legislation and pictures and any information you want out there for others to read for a new website.
[IP verified as State of Missouri Office of Administration. -WJ]
Comment Rep. Jim Guest — January 28, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
Our founding fathers have given us an obligation to protect freedom for our children and their children. Like those who have come before us we must set a true course and watch for hazards which can cause our ships to sink. When we steer in the direction of liberty we protect our ships from disaster.
Freedom is not easy but it is truly American. We must not lose what our nation was founded on. We must not allow this to happen on our watch for the future depends on up holding our Constitution and our Bill of Rights. Like a light house it draws us near the shore where hope and life are alive and well.
We are a God fearing people and God gave man the ultimate gift of freedom. What ever your faith, God has given you the right to choose, whether good or bad you have the right to free agency. If God gave man the gift of freedom what man can take it away. Least of all the very people placed by us to protect that freedom.
Our fragile experiment in democracy is like a torch that acts like a beacon of light burning in the night. Snuff it out we’ve lost our freedom.
Comment Rep. Jim Guest — January 28, 2007 @ 7:38 pm
www.legislatorsagainstrealid.com it is not up yet but will be soon.
Comment Rep. Jim Guest — January 28, 2007 @ 7:40 pm
Rep. Guest,
Welcome!
NAIS and REAL ID are part and parcel of the same thing.
Talk to NH Rep Neal Kurk, he’s been doing battle here and doing a great job with Real ID. Just wish more had the guts to back him.
Comment Sue F — January 29, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Hello Rep Guest!
We will be looking forward to working with you to abolish both Real ID and the National Animal Identification System. There are several legislators who have more comprehensive legislation regarding NAIS; perhaps you could contact them. Washington State’s Real ID legislation appears to me to be a very good piece to work from.
I am pleased that you stopped in here and look forward to meeting you at the NAIS meeting in Cameron soon.
Doreen
Comment Doreen — January 29, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
??? A politician that actually makes sense? Congratulations.
Temperature in Hades 31* farenheit!
Comment Bob Constantine — January 29, 2007 @ 8:47 pm
New Hampshire state legislators voted Thursday 268-8 against Real I.D. …now it goes to the Senate (let’s hope they see it as “no brainer) and finally off to Gov. Lynch who has stated he will sign bill opposing Real I.D. if it hit’s his desk.
In other good news in N.H. the house voted to allow Farmers to grow hemp 190-76, onto Senate, Governor etc.
It will be real interesting to see what happens if this passes and Governor signs bill into law, ie : how the feds react etc., still alot of misconceptions, you know “war on drugs”, blah, blah blah. Trust me you can’t get high smoking Hemp, but you can produce a very usable crop for many other consumer goods.
…hmmm I WONDER if you fed your cows hemp instead of “meat by-products” would they no longer be “mad cows” but “mellow cows instead ? :)
Comment Bob Constantine — April 6, 2007 @ 12:57 pm