REAL ID HEARING TODAY at 10am in Scranton PA

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But I believe it's been pushed back just like this one was. I will definitely be posting something on DP when I find out.

One thing you can do is bookmark this page:
http://ronpaul.meetup.com...

That is the Ron Paul Revolution Pittsburgh Area Freedom Activists site. The Erie hearing will be up on the calender there as soon as the date is released. Just check back periodically.

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You are a helpful fellow.

I actually know Dermody (he's on your list). In fact he asked me to join the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, which I did. Then I resigned from it so that I could register Republican and vote for Ron. I wonder if that will make me persona non grata?

Ron Paul Explorer: The All Paul Search Engine

a response: (I used your links for a three-peat)

from Casey:
The Identification Security Enhancement Act of 2007, which includes a repeal of the REAL ID Act of 2005, was introduced by Senators Akaka, Alexander, Leahy, Tester, Baucus and Sununu on February 28, 2007. This legislation is currently being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee, of which I am not a member. Please be assured that should this bill come before the full Senate for consideration, I will have your views in mind.

from Roe:
I appreciate your input on the Real ID issue and the monetary plan where state currency is backed up with real assets like precious metals. I am a co-sponsor of HB 1351 which would keep PA from cooperating with the Federal Real ID Plan. I'm hoping that you also are corresponding with Michelle Brooks (officially, she's your State Rep.), because to more of us on the right side of the issue the better. I will look further into the plan for a state currency.

from Evans:
The Real ID Act of 2005 directs states to issue driver's licenses according to prescriptive rules contained in the law. The act prohibits states from issuing driver's licenses to applicants who are in this country without documentation (PA requires documentation) and creates security requirements for driver's licenses and identification cards. The Real ID Act provides that states issue driver's licenses and identification cards with an eight-year validity period (PA currently validity period is 4 years) with machine readable technology. Background checks and fraudulent document identification training is required for state department of motor vehicle employees. States must verify the authenticity of all identity documents provided by applicants, scan copies of these documents, and store the data for 10 year.
In late 2004, prior to passage of the Real ID Act, Congress passed legislation (P.L. 108-458) in response to recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission. Among the new provisions was a negotiated rulemaking process to establish new federal standards for the issuance of state driver's licenses and identification cards. Under the negotiated rulemaking process, the U.S. Department of Transportation solicited interested parties to serve on a cooperative state-federal negotiated rulemaking committee giving state elected officials a "seat at the table" in the development of the federal standards. This negotiated rulemaking process was halted following the passage of the Real ID Act.
The Real ID Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to issue rules that the states will be required to follow when issuing driver's licenses and identification cards if these are to qualify as federally acceptable forms of identification for federal purposes. Proposed regulations were issued March 1, 2007 and includes an extension of the deadline for compliance by the states to May 11, 2008, with the possibility of an additional extension to December 31, 2009, if requested by a state and granted by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The states are very concerned about the implementation costs of Real ID. Estimates in some states have been as high as an additional $33 per license or identification card. Many states are concerned that the act will require higher personnel and technology costs and that no funding assistance will be available from the federal government. A study released in September by the NCSL, the National Governors Association and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators determined that it will cost at least $11 billion, $1 billion in start-up costs and $10 billion over the first 5 years, to implement the Real ID. All 245 million driver's license and identification card holders nationwide will be required to make an in-person visit to their department of motor vehicles to obtain a Real ID compliant license. This will require states to hire more employees and expand business hours to meet the deadline, hence the $11 million price tag. It is critical that Congress demonstrates its commitment to the states in the FY2008 Budget Resolution to share the responsibility of implementing this federal mandate.
Since 9/11 nearly every state has considered legislation regarding the licensing of undocumented aliens, defined as someone who enters or lives in the U.S. without official authorization, either by entering illegally or by violating the terms of his or her admission. Supporters of restricting licenses to those who are lawfully present in the U.S. argue that driving is a privilege and that granting a license to undocumented aliens encourages the influx of illegal immigrants through U.S. borders. They also argue that licenses should be granted only to people who legally reside in the U.S., because driver's licenses are a major form of identification and are used not only to drive but to open bank accounts and board airplanes.
Opponents of restricting license eligibility argue that by not being able to apply for a license these individuals are unable to obtain motor vehicle insurance or receive proper driver education and examination. Traffic safety concerns arise because, with or without a license, many are likely to continue driving. Opponents also question the effectiveness of resolving issues of lawful presence at the licensing office, because concerns exist regarding the ability of motor vehicle agencies to identify the vast number and types of documents immigrants may present.
According to provisions outlined in the Real ID Act, states will have the opportunity to issue nonconforming driver's licenses and identification cards so long as a disclaimer on the face of the card states that the document may not be accepted for federal identification or any other official purpose. The card must have a unique color or design to alert federal agencies and other law enforcement personnel that it may not be accepted for any such purposes. Some states feel that these provisions will allow them to issue driving cards or certificates of driving to undocumented immigrants.
According to recent reports, DHS was expected to finalize the long-awaited regulations, by the end of 2007. It is also reported that the final regulations will extend the deadline for compliance and that DHS has listened to the states' concerns about possible costs and disruption to their licensing procedures as well as other concerns stated earlier in this letter. Reportedly, these and other changes are expected to reduce the cost of compliance by billions of dollars. Until the final regulations are issued, the states are in a holding pattern. Once the states evaluate the final regulations, it will be up to each state to decide on whether or not it will comply with the Real ID Act and its regulations.
Sincerely,
State Rep. John Evans

cannot locate response from Brooks, however, if I recall, she said they were still researching the security of our private information.

Thanks for the Cause Caller information as well as the addresses printed above.

I will check that out!

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