(Mass AG) Coakley cites cost in opposing US law on driver's licenses - Boston Globe

[Eugene]

Source: Boston Globe

Coakley cites cost in opposing US law on driver's licenses

By David Abel, Globe Staff | June 14, 2007

A federal law that would tighten driver's license regulations
infringes on civil liberties and would cost the state more than
$140 million, the state's chief law enforcement officer plans
to say in testimony at the State House today.

Joining a growing rebellion by states throughout the country,
Attorney General Martha Coakley plans to argue before the
Legislature's Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs
that the two-year-old Real ID Act would unduly burden
Massachusetts.

"The Real ID Act was pushed through Congress in 2005 without
meaningful debate or hearing on its implications for the states,"
Coakley said in a statement. "Not only does the Real ID Act call
for sweeping changes in how states issue driver's licenses with
limited time to implement the changes, but it does not consider
the financial burden placed on the states."

The Real ID Act requires states to verify the identity of people
who apply for or renew driver licenses, starting next spring,
and to make sure they are American citizens or US residents.

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Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/06/14/coakley_cites_cost_in_opposing_us_law_on_drivers_licenses