Posted on 06/27/2005 9:35:14 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
SACRAMENTO (AP) - State Sen. Gil Cedillo is making his fifth attempt in seven years to enact legislation allowing illegal immigrants to get California driver's licenses. This time he's hoping to get a governor's signature that will stick.
Former Gov. Gray Davis signed a Cedillo bill legalizing the licenses in 2003, but lawmakers overturned it after Davis was recalled following a campaign in which the license legislation was one of the issues used against him.
Davis' successor, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed the repeal bill and vetoed another version of the license bill last year, saying it didn't include adequate security provisions.
Now Cedillo is back with a bill that would implement new federal requirements for the licenses and presumably give Schwarzenegger what he wants -- a license with a unique design or color that wouldn't be widely accepted as a valid identification document.
''Our actions are based on a plethora of requests the governor has made,'' Cedillo said. ''He wanted a proposal with marked licenses. We're giving him that. He wanted a proposal that provides licenses for driving purposes only. We're giving him that.... There's no need to continue to play politics with this important issue.''
Schwarzenegger's press secretary, Margita Thompson, said the bill is premature because the Department of Homeland Security hasn't issued regulations spelling out the details of federal requirements.
''We need to see what those regulations are going to be,'' she said. ''They could come up and say we need to have blue licenses and we're doing red licenses and have a whole bunch of money spent.''
Homeland Security spokesman Jarrod Agen said it's too early to say when the regulations will be issued.
But Cedillo said it would be irresponsible for the governor to veto the bill, which would also implement increased federal security requirements for all driver's licenses.
''Nothing prevents the governor from signing this bill and working with Homeland Security to implement it,'' Cedillo said. ''We should be leading the way with the largest immigrant population in the country.''
He said it makes sense to provide illegal immigrants with the documents instead of having them driving without licenses.
The bill, which passed the Senate earlier this month, is scheduled for a hearing Monday by the Assembly Transportation Committee.
Here's what else is going on this week at the Capitol:|
BUDGET DEAL?|
California starts a new fiscal year Friday, but it may not have a new state budget in place by then. Last year, a budget wasn't approved until July 29.
But Schwarzenegger, facing declining poll numbers, has indicated an increased interest in negotiating agreements with the Legislature's Democratic leaders, which may make a budget deal possible this week.
BULLET BATTLE:|
Committees in the Assembly and Senate will consider bills that would require handgun ammunition contain identifying marks to help police solve crimes.
One of the measures, by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood, would require new handguns sold after Jan. 1, 2007 to imprint each cartridge with microscopic characters that identify the make, model and serial number of the gun. It's before the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.
The other bill, by Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Garden Grove, would require that all handgun bullets sold in California after July 1, 2007 come with serial numbers already on them. It will be considered by the Assembly Public Safety Committee, also on Tuesday.
Both bills are backed by Attorney General Bill Lockyer and opposed by gun groups.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION:|
Sen. Richard Alarcon, D-Van Nuys, continues his efforts to enact legislation regulating workers' compensation insurance rates. His bill is before the Assembly Insurance Committee on Wednesday.
Alarcon says rate regulation is the only way to ensure employers aren't overcharged for the insurance. Insurers contend legislation passed in 2003 and 2004 to control the cost of treating work-related injuries will bring down rates, which have skyrocketed in recent years.
GRADUATION EXAM:|
The Senate Education Committee takes up a bill Wednesday that would allow high schools, with approval of the state school superintendent, to use grades, assignments or other assessments to determine if students who fail the state graduation exam qualify for a diploma.
The author, Assemblywoman Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, says 19 other states provide alternatives to their graduation exams. ''Students should be allowed other ways to demonstrate proficiency,'' she says.
Without a change, the graduating class of 2006 will be the first one required to pass the exam to graduate.
|------|
On the Net: www.assembly.ca.gov and www.senate.ca.gov
''Our actions are based on a plethora of requests the governor has made,'' Cedillo said. ''He wanted a proposal with marked licenses. We're giving him that. He wanted a proposal that provides licenses for driving purposes only. We're giving him that.... There's no need to continue to play politics with this important issue.''
Schwarzenegger's press secretary, Margita Thompson, said the bill is premature because the Department of Homeland Security hasn't issued regulations spelling out the details of federal requirements.
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What a mess. give the illegals a rope and they make ya into a pinata, hang ya from a tree, and whack the heck out of ya.
What's there to debate? They're illegals! They don't have the right to anything but a trip back across the border.
He's known in CA as "One-Bill Gil".
More from the Socialist republic of Calafornia.
And an apt moniker it is. It seems the only thing that ever leaves that buffoons tamale hole.
ditto that.. Only illegals are allowed to break the laws. Giving them a license does not solve the problem. They are still uninsured, can't read the signs, next we'll have to redo all signs to include at the taxpayors cost. Arnold should veto bill.
"....a license with a unique design or color that wouldn't be widely accepted as a valid identification document. "
I wonder if anyone asked the car insurance companies if they would issue a policy based on a document that dosen't say anything about the identification of the holder ?
The resistance movement is alive, well and gaining strength throughout California. We resent politicans favoring illegals over citizens.
So Illegal Aliens can break the law and get a drivers licnese, what laws do legal citizens get to break without fear?
See "[Calif.] Calls needed to stop driver's licenses for illegal aliens":
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1430296/posts
ping
"....next we'll have to redo all signs to include at the taxpayors cost. "
I wouldn't mind it if they replaced those dumb " No parking during game days" signs - It looks like you have to follow the baseball schedule to keep from breaking the law now ....
Agreed - so now let's end the reciprocacy of California's DL's with those of other states. < /sarcasm >
The problem with Cedillo's plan is that insurance is a necessity that requires a driver be ID'd. If the DL can't be used for any other purpose - even ID, how can an agency reasonably insure a driver? One thing will then lead to another and soon the DL will be the document of choice for all/any activity associated with illegal aliens.
No thanks Cedillo, take your proposal and stuff it. Just allow immigration officials to enforce the law.
But it'll sure make voting easier.
Sarcasm or not, it is a good idea. I don't want a bunch of illegals driving around my state with no insurance, not being able to read or write in english, and more than likely hauling loads of drugs and other illegals
Gil's legislation always seems to involve pandering to illegal immigration. He ignores the federal law, just like most of today's politicians. It is absolutely disgusting that they won't represent citizens of this state.
I can imagine the illegals have lots more fun with California owned cars.
Protect our borders and coastlines from all foreign invaders!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Minutemen Patriots ~ Bump!
Cedillo is an agent of the Mexican government and should be deported.
Besides judiciary and drilling, what is more important that aliens?
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