Senate OKs proposed changes to driver’s license system (NM Illegals to get standard license)

The Albuquerque Journal ^ | February 21, 2019 | Dan McKay

[CedarDave]

SANTA FE – The Senate overwhelmingly adopted legislation Thursday that would streamline the approval process for applicants who want the less stringent option offered under New Mexico’s two-tiered driver’s license system.

Supporters said the proposal, Senate Bill 278, would reduce confusion and make other improvements to the system – in which New Mexico offers one license compliant with the U.S. Real ID Act and a second option not intended for federal purposes.

The second option, now called a driving authorization card, would be renamed the “standard driver’s license.”

Senate Bill 278 also would repeal a requirement for some applicants to provide fingerprints when they seek the standard driver’s license or identification card.

“It just makes the whole process much simpler,” said Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque, “and it should greatly reduce the number of constituent complaints directed at us.”

The Senate voted 31-9 in favor of the legislation, which now heads to the House.

Opponents said creation of the driving authorization card was part of a 2016 compromise aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from obtaining licenses but still allowing them to drive legally.

“Now we’re going back on that,” said Sen. Mark Moores, an Albuquerque Republican who opposed the bill.

The two-tiered system was also intended to bring the state into compliance with the Real ID Act.

[CedarDave]

Doing away with "driving authorization card" and fingerprinting for illegals and replacing with a standard driver's license. And, BTW, sign everyone up to vote at the same time: What possibly could go wrong with that??

[Slyfox]

Yep, motor-voter means that illegals will be allowed to vote without going through the usual hoops.

[Lurkinanloomin]

New Mexico joins old Mexico.

[dsrtsage]

“Yep, motor-voter means that illegals will be allowed to vote without going through the usual hoops.”

We have all been assured that minorities are too stupid to get IDs, or is that only certain minorities

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“It just makes the whole process much simpler,” said Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino, D-Albuquerque

Just fling the entire border wide open. That would really simplify things. "Simplification" is what's really important. National sovereignty -- who cares about that? It's an outdated, old, white patriarchal concept. Nobody needs those things any more.

[DesertRhino]

And they will all be authorized to vote. Damn what they are doing to that beautiful state.

[laplata]

NM will never have another Republican Governor and will probably stay Blue forever. And NM doesn’t have as many illegals as a number of other states.

[ChildOfThe60s]

compromise aimed at preventing undocumented immigrants from obtaining licenses but still allowing them to drive legally

The (possibly) ultimate oxymoronic statement. Yet Democrats seem to be able to be continually exceed the bounds of ultimate and oxymoronic. So I must assume that ultimate idiocy can never be achieved by the left.

[onona]

Dave, I’m in a pessimistic mood about our country and its sovereignty.

[butlerweave]

Seek into their countries and try to get a driver’s license

[joelt]

Will we now be non compliant with the real ID Act? Need a passport to board a plane?

[JWNM]

Unfortunately,the current legislature is passing lots of other laws under the radar. From what I hear coming out of Santa Fe is that it is at a frantic pace. This state is being fundamentally changed and will never be the same.

[Seaplaner]

NM Dems (just like Cali Dems) will be WAYYYY too late in figuring out that this takes away THEIR vote, as well.

[JWNM]

I won’t be surprised if by the end of it, they will have joined the idiocy in Colorado and assigning our electoral votes to the “national popular” vote for the presidency.

[butlerweave]

Don’t worry citizens of New Mexico you get to pay for all this insanity

[CedarDave]

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[VanShuyten]

Are these “non-Fed ID compliant “ drivers licenses accepted by other states?

[shanover]

We are losing stars on the flag at a rapid rate and our country is losing a war to an enemy that does not need to fire one shot. More damage has been done to America post Obama ironically. The GOP purposely did nothing with majorities and gave the Midterms away. We can’t blame the left for everything when the GOP is worthless and weak.

[CedarDave]

I won’t be surprised if by the end of it, they will have joined the idiocy in Colorado and assigning our electoral votes to the “national popular” vote for the presidency.

There is a bill before the legislature to do just that. Passed in the NM House 41-27 and now awaiting action in the NM Senate. All elective offices in NM are now controlled by far-left "progressive" Democrats and they are busy enacting their national agenda in the state, the federal constitution be damned.

[Gay State Conservative]

To renew my license recently I had to produce my passport,Social Security Card and proof of address.