Arnold seeks to revamp license bill

Washington Times ^ | 3/02/04 | Valerie Richardson

[kattracks]

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is working with state Democrats to revamp a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, a politically fractious issue that contributed to the ousting of his predecessor.

Three months after securing a repeal of Senate Bill 60, the highly criticized bill approved by former Gov. Gray Davis, Mr. Schwarzenegger is working to craft substitute legislation, which would address national security concerns and ensure that drivers carry insurance, with Democratic state Sen. Gil Cedillo.

[judgeandjury]

Mr. Savage said. "We didn't want that, because it would be akin to having a scarlet letter that could alert police [and others] to their status

Oh no! We wouldn't want to alert the police that they were dealing with a lawbreaker, now would we?

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

[judgeandjury]

Those who support driver's licenses for illegals argue that the issue boils down to public safety. Illegal immigrants are going to drive no matter what, and allowing them to apply for licenses will ensure that they learn the rules of the road and acquire insurance.

I really hate this argument. So, illegal aliens are going to break the law anyway by driving without a license, so we might as well accomodate them by giving them a license? What if a 10-year-old kid said "I'm going to drive anyway so you might as well give me a license". Should we give him a driver's license. What if a person with poor eyesight, who couldn't qualify for a driver's license because of his eyesight, said "I'm going to drive anyway so you might as well give me a license". An illegal alien without a driver's license is no different than an American without a driver's license. If you don't have a license, stay the heck off the roads! That's the best way to make the roads safer for all licensed drivers.

[Sabertooth]

**"I told you so" bump to the top. Saber, I wish more in Cali had read and heeded your posts.

**Who could have seen this coming??

Anyone who read Arnold's campaign website.

[Torie]

Maybe the grand compromise is to have a driver's license that has "illegal alien" stamped on it. What do you think?

[freedumb2003]

In Kali, insurance is carried on the car, not on the driver.

Wrong. Liability and Damage are on the driver and are required to be carried by the driver whether or not the car is insured. The insurance on the car is only for damage to the car. They just assiociate it with the car for convenience. For example, if you rent a car and get in an accident and do NOT take the rip-off supplemental insurance, your auto insurance is on the line for damage to property and people (but not the car itself).

[novacation]

This RINO is growing a horn

[truthkeeper]

May I get some help here?: Why is Arnold against referendum to repeal illegals' drivers licenses? ^ Posted by Bob to churchillbuff On The Smokey Backroom ^ 09/29/2003 10:41:05 AM PDT #3 of 239 ^

A few of us have been trying to get a coherent answer to this question for a week or so. The only "answer" appears to be that Arnold will somehow find a way to overturn SB60 but nobody seems to have any idea how.

Hey Bob...looks like we finally got an answer to the question!

[BillyBoy]

>> We'll take this bill to a referendum if it passes. And we'll vote out of office ANY Republican who votes to license illegal aliens. <<

Fat chance in the Land of Riordan.

RINOs run the state now. California is the NY of the west coast. Get ready for more Tom Campbells, and remember, you voted for it!

[CurlyDave]

Wrong. Liability and Damage are on the driver and are required to be carried by the driver whether or not the car is insured.

Look it up somewhere, or ask a lawyer. I know whereof I speak. Insurance is carried on the car. There is usually a clause about covering the owner of the car if he is driving someone else's car, but that is primarily to cover an uninsured car.

When any of my kids got a license, there was no insurance requirement for them, but the insurance on my cars went up. If a kid is the primary driver of a vehicle the rates are astronomical, but the insurance is still on the car.

From the California DMV web site:

"Vehicle owners are required to submit evidence of liability insurance to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when renewing the registration of a motor vehicle. Trailers, off-highway vehicles, and vessels are excluded from this requirement. Acceptable paper evidence of current liability insurance is an insurance identification card issued to vehicle owners by insurance companies."

[Bob]

Hey Bob...looks like we finally got an answer to the question!

Yes, we did. And Oh My, what a surprise. </sarcasm>

[truthkeeper]

I am shocked, SHOCKED I tell you!

[Equusphile]

The Save Our State Initiative (a revised Prop 187) could help alleviate the illegal alien problem.

It amends the California Constitution to require providers of public benefits to verify whether applicants are lawfully present in the United States.

It prohibits the state and its political subdivisions from accepting identification documents not issued by a state or federal jurisdiction.

It requires the state to verify driver's license applicant's identity and lawful presence in United States.

Unlike Prop 187, SOS is a constitutional amendment and thus, if approved, could not be challenged on the grounds that it conflicts with the state constitution. But this also means that more signatures (598,000 total) are required to get SOS on the November ballot than it took to get Prop 187 on the ballot nine years ago. Supporters have until April 15 to do it.

Their website is: http://www.save187.com/

Unfortunately, I think it's a dead initiative, since they have only collected 155,000 signatures so far. But if you wish to help, you can download the petition from their website to print the form and gather signatures. You might also consider forwarding the website link to like-minded friends and relatives.

[DumpsterDiver]

Unfortunately, I think it's a dead initiative, since they have only collected 155,000 signatures so far.

It's easy to suffer from burnout here what with the continuing influx of illegals, the overturning of the original Prop 187 and then gay marriages after passing Prop 22 (??). Voters get discouraged.

But if you wish to help, you can download the petition from their website to print the form and gather signatures.

I've already done that. Maybe things will pick up again between now and November.

[freedumb2003]

Ahem.

From the California Vehicle Code (emphasis added):

CALIFORNIA CODES VEHICLE CODE SECTION 34630-34634

16020. (a) Every driver and every owner of a motor vehicle shall at all times be able to establish financial responsibility pursuant to Section 16021, and shall at all times carry in the vehicle evidence of the form of financial responsibility in effect for the vehicle.

I know because many moons ago I got berated (but not nailed because the law was new) for driving a car when I wasn't insured. Even if you don't own a car, you MUST have insurance to even drive in California.

[Equusphile]

If the Save Our State Initiative fails, Californians only have themselves to blame when their taxes, tuition, and healthcare costs go up. According to the Los Angeles Daily News:

Even with the $15 billion bond issue, California is heading for a $7 billion deficit in 2005-06, according to state Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill.

Source: http://www.dailynews.com/Stories/0,1413,200~20954~1992997,00.html

Of course, illegal immigration is not the only reason for the enormous budget deficit. But it certainly plays a big part in it.