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Enhanced license different from REAL ID Posted: Thursday, Jan 17, 2008 - 09:52:00 am PST By DAVE GOINS Bee correspondent
BOISE -- State lawmakers should be urged to make a clear distinction between enhanced driver's licenses and REAL ID, an official from the Pacific Northwest Economic Region said Tuesday. "From an Idaho legislative perspective, the number one thing to realize is this (enhanced driver's license) is not REAL ID ... This is similar to REAL ID, but I think it's important to make the case to your legislators that this is not REAL ID," said Matt Morrison, PNWER's executive director.Border states such as Idaho are considering plans for enhanced driver's license programs to address international border-crossing issues connected with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's pending rule to require $96 passports for ground travelers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. "It's $10,000 less to come down and buy a car in Bonners Ferry than it is in British Columbia," Morrison said. "We're seeing a lot of interest (in enhanced driver's licenses) in border communities."
In contrast to the cheaper passport idea of enhanced driver's licenses, REAL ID - a national driver's license and identification card being promoted by Homeland Security - would be required by Dec. 1, 2017 for all U.S. citizens who want to travel by commercial airline. Morrison stressed that getting an enhanced driver's license in lieu of a standard, more costly passport, would be completely optional. Rep. George Eskridge, R-Dover, said potential economic losses in North Idaho that could be caused by the costlier $96 passports provide an incentive to implement an enhanced driver's license program in Idaho. Eskridge, the president of the PNWER group, is considering proposing state enhanced driver's license legislation. "Some people think this is a precursor to national ID, which I'm not in favor of," Eskridge said. "This is not a precursor." no freedom wrote on Jan 18, 2008 12:56 PM: " well, i guess the big boys have gotten their way again. next anyone who is for peace will be considered a terrorist, and taken care of accordingly. reminds me a lot like Nazi Germany.... " No Chips Please!! wrote on Jan 18, 2008 8:55 AM: " Call me old fashion...someone will. But I will not be getting a license with a chip in it. Will not get REAL ID. Might wind up being a 60+ year old without a drivers license. Food and heat are free in jail. Might solve the problem of survival for an old timer. Guess they better start making the county jail a bit larger for those of us who will refuse to get these licenses. " RealityCheck wrote on Jan 17, 2008 5:16 PM: " Right if it looks like a turd and smells like a turd. It is not a Rose! " POST YOUR OPINION
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Bonner County Daily Bee
P.O. Box 159 / Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 / 208-263-9534
Bonner County Daily Bee Online is updated at 10am PST.
OUTRAGE! wrote on Jan 20, 2008 9:45 AM:
"Border states such as Idaho are considering plans for enhanced driver's license programs to address international border-crossing issues connected with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's pending rule to require $96 passports for ground travelers between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico." wait a minute! last i checked the real immigration problems are on the southern border, not ours(mayby i'm wrong).besides,does anyone really think this will be enforced on illegals? i doubt it, since they're being treated like 1st class citizens.laws like this are targeted for the middle class while the borders will stay wide open .
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