Governor Perry Says ‘No’ To Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
By Rachel Abell
EL PASO — Governor Rick Perry announced his plans to block a proposal for an enhanced driver’s license program for the state, citing high costs and a lengthy delivery time for residents as key factors for doing so.
Despite having the support from the Texas Attorney General and federal Homeland Security officials, Perry said the state’s first priority should be to secure the borders before taking on the challenge of identification.
In 2007, a test program was enlisted to see if the enhanced driver’s licenses would make traffic flow at ports of entry more efficient while guaranteeing security. The licenses are able to store citizenship information on the magnetic strips found on the back, thus allowing users to swipe and go.
Supporters said the new technology made the cards less susceptible to forgery and would have cost 50% less than having citizens purchase a separate state ID or driver’s license plus a federal passport card or passport.
They said the stored information also did not compromise the integrity of security at the international ports of entry nor did they generate any traffic slowdown.
But opponents calculated that the program would have cost the state nearly $500,000 and the new enhanced licenses would not be available until 2009. State Senator Eliot Shapleigh drafted the legislation that created the enhanced driver’s license program and felt the governor’s decision was not one motivated by concern for public costs.
“Our nation needs safe, smart, and fast ports in a post 9/11 world. What I fear is that an election-driven agenda from the far right-wing is influencing the governor’s decision. Hopefully, we can reach an agreement on what is best for Texas and America,” Shapleigh wrote in a statement release.
A spokesman for Governor Perry said the new passport card program, which is already in place and set to begin taking applications Friday, February 1, would accomplish the same thing. The first of those cards are expected to be available by spring, for those who begin applying now.
The cost for a passport card for adults is $45 and can be $20 for those who already have a U.S. passport. Citizens can apply for them at the same places they would for a regular passport.
