Schwarzenegger Vetoes Calif. Driver's License Bill

Reuters ^ | 22 September 2004 | Staff

[JackelopeBreeder]

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to get a state driver's license.

The move was expected after Schwarzenegger cited security concerns in opposing the legislation, which had been proposed by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez.

"One of the most important duties of the governor of a state is to protect its citizens," Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message.

"Determining the true identity and history of an individual is a key component of that protection. This bill does not adequately address the security concerns that my Department of Homeland Security and I have and I cannot support it," he wrote.

In his drive last year to recall Gov. Gray Davis, Schwarzenegger campaigned hard against a similar law that approved driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, winning popular support for his stand.

After Schwarzenegger was sworn in as governor last January, state lawmakers repealed the license law.

Nunez, a Democrat from Los Angeles, was expected to issue a statement later on Wednesday, a spokesman said.

[panther33]

Right on, Arnold!

[tame]

The move was expected after Schwarzenegger cited security concerns in opposing the legislation

I'm sorry, Arnold. Even if it was safe to give illegals licenses we should never consider it because the aliens are ILLEGAL!!! HELLOOOOOOO!

[tame]

One veto ain't enough to remove a gun grabbing RINO label from a RINO. LOL.

Exactly!

[MEG33]

LA times says Kerry is 15 points ahead of Bush in California...

[raybbr]

"Determining the true identity and history of an individual is a key component of that protection. This bill does not adequately address the security concerns that my Department of Homeland Security and I have and I cannot support it," he wrote.

You'll notice he doesn't talk about the legality of the aliens. Only the identity. There's still hope for the mexicans.

[Hardastarboard]

And, while they are applying for a license, they can be arrested and sent home. This works for me.

[gathersnomoss]

Exactly. Go Arnold!

[FITZ]

Assemblywoman Cindy Montañez, from the San Fernando Valley, said that it is vital for Mexico to ask Schwarzenegger to approve this legislation "so that he would know that not only people of California, but an entire country is asking that he sign the bill."

Wow --- I bet the Founding Fathers were rolling in their graves over that one --- the USA surrendering it's sovereignty to a country like Mexico???? I'm glad Schwarzenegger stood up to this.

[Kackikat]

Well when they live 8-12 in one house, only one needs a license anyway.

[Carry_Okie]

I do think he is gonna do wonders for California, esp. considering that Gray Davis f-ed it up.

His budget grew faster than Davis' did (6.8% vs 6%). The current deficit looks to be about 10 billion. He removed the constitutional prohobition on borrowing by hiding the change in Prop. 58 while calling it "cutting up the credit cards." The press cheers.

Yeah, right.

[truthkeeper]

Hallelujah, and IT'S ABOUT TIME!

[RockinRight]

Didn't hear about that part.

[Carry_Okie]

Didn't hear about that part.

No doubt. Arnold will tell an audience what they want to hear, but hidden in the statement is a way out. An example would be his public refusal to take "special interest money" while raking in piles of dough from bankers, real estate developers, insurers, etc. All he had to do is redefine "special interests" as Indian tribes and prison guards. He may be an even more talented liar than Bill Clinton.

[farmfriend]

Not conservative enough???

Not with his plans to sign a HUGE piece of SOCIALIST legislation today. Watch as he signs what is left of your property rights into oblivion.

[farmfriend]

Now, with the veto pen in hand, on to the Sierra Conservancy.

He is supposed to sign that thing today in Colfax. If he signs ab2631 as well, we are screwed big time.

[farmfriend]

Agree, but half a loaf is still better than no slices at all.

Not if he is signing our property rights into oblivion. You have your half screw the rest of us I guess.

[farmfriend]

Let's see how he's done...

Created two huge bureaucracies and signed our property rights into socialism. What good is it to keep illegals out and own a gun if you no longer have property to defend!?!

[snooker]

Do you think that a dim in the seat, like Busta-boob wouldn't be taking away your rights? The problem is with the legislature. I agree that what is happening is bad. But stopping it takes along term plan with clear goals. Take back the legislature, then begin reversing the problems created.

If you view Auhnold as a start, not the answer, we will all be better off in the long run.

[farmfriend]

The problem is with the legislature

Arnold ran on this Conservancy idea. It is something he pushed through the legislature. He is not the answer! He is part of the problem. And a Dem in the seat would have given the Repbuclicans balls enough to stand up against this kind of crap.

[snooker]

True, a dim would have given the R's balls. They could hold their meetings in a phone booth. And do exactly nothing. You don't have the votes, you get nothing.

Think long term.