Sen. Cedillo says, 'This is the year' - Will eighth time be the charm for driver's license bill?

Legislation to grant California driver's licenses to hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants will be pushed in 2006 for the eighth year in a row - and this time the iron is hot for success, its author contends.

"The dynamics have changed dramatically, and in our favor," said Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles.

Cedillo said the new bill will be very similar to Senate Bill 60, vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in October.

California's political scene has shifted significantly since then, Cedillo said, citing three examples:

* All four of Schwarzenegger's government "reform" proposals were defeated in the Nov. 8 special election, prompting the governor to reach out to Democratic leaders.

* A shake-up of Schwarzenegger's top-level Cabinet elevated Republicans Fred Aguiar and Dan Dunmoyer, and Democrats Susan Kennedy and Daniel Zingale, all of whom Cedillo says are pragmatic, knowledgeable and not closed-minded on the issue.

* Even in conservative districts, voters are becoming less extremist, as evidenced by the recent Orange County election of state Sen. John Campbell, R-Irvine, over Jim Gilchrist to fill a vacant congressional seat, Cedillo said.

"This is the year," Cedillo said of prospects for his bill, which will be introduced when the Legislature reconvenes on Jan. 4.

Supported by most Democratic lawmakers, Cedillo's push to grant driver's licenses to illegal immigrants has passed the Legislature each of the past six years but died in gubernatorial offices.

Gov. Gray Davis signed such legislation in 2003, but was recalled from office shortly thereafter, partly as a backlash to that decision.

Schwarzenegger, after succeeding Davis, persuaded the Legislature to repeal the bill before it became law.

Now two years later, Schwarzenegger may desire a closer rapport with Democratic leaders, but switching gears on SB 60 could backfire - especially in an election year, Mehlman said.

I've said it before. You don't need any proof of citizenship to vote in California. We also have 'motor-voter' here so when all these illegal immigrants register for their driver's licenses, they can simply check a box and they will be registered to vote. I don't believe the illegal-licenses will pass a vote of the people in this state if it comes up on our ballot. The dem politicians making it a law without the population voting is a real possibility though. I do believe, however, Arnold will veto it every time it comes before him---a blessing.

Allow me for the benefit of all who think Arnold will save us:

Schwarzenegger on Driver Licenses for illegal aliens during a January Interview with Univision:

We are right now in the middle of working very hard with Senator Cedillo. My staff and his staff. Everyone is working together. And we are absolutely positive that we will come up with a great bill. With his help and with my team's help, I think we will work it out. So there's, uh, really a good move forward.

Interviewer: How would you deal with more conservative members of the legislature...?

Schwarzenegger: Again, it's one of those things where we all have to get together and see that this is a good idea and this is the way to move forward. So, I am talking to my Republican friends all the time about it, and also to my Democratic friends. We will do it.

Washington Times, 3/02/04

"Our staffs have met, and they're working on this together," said Vincent Salido, spokesman for the Republican governor

Schwarzenegger on Driver Licenses for illegal aliens during a December 2003 Interview with Dan Weintraub:

Reporter: "You did say that to me when we talked one on one (Sept. 6, 2003) that you would consider a package deal that would have included a requirement of insurance for those people that are going to get the drivers license. That I know is something that you believe in. Do you also believe that all undocumented immigrants will be able to get a drivers license if they present insurance, if they have a background check, fingerprints?

Governor: "Absolutely...yes. This is what we are going to work on. This is what we are going to talk about, but right now the most important thing is to get this passed (the repeal of SB 60) so we can move to other issues. I think Senator Cedillo was extremely gracious and helpful with this whole thing. He is a great leader, he understood what would be the best thing for California; rather than just doing an immediate fix, but to make everybody happy. It doesn't make sense if the majority of Californians run around and hate the idea of undocumented immigrants having drivers licenses because there is no background check, because it doesn't solve the problem with insurance. Let's do it the right way, let's make every Californian happy and let's make the undocumented immigrants happy."

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