Napolitano debates Real ID
Will examine alternatives to driver's licenses

The Washington Times
Audrey Hudson
Friday, February 20, 2009

As governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano was no fan of the Real ID program that sets federal standards for state-issued driver's licenses which will be required in the future to board airplanes.

Now that she is Homeland Security secretary and overseeing the department that governs the contentious law, Miss Napolitano says she wants to examine "realistic options" with the officials who must put the program into action - the nation's governors.

Specifically, Miss Napolitano said she is looking at Washington state's modified version of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative program. The Pacific state issues security-enhanced driver's licenses that are accepted for crossing into the state from Canada.

In addition to Arizona, more than a dozen states have passed legislation prohibiting the implementation of the Real ID program, and similar legislation passed by the Virginia House and Senate last week is awaiting Gov. Tim Kaine's signature.

"Governors are committed to improving the security and integrity of state driver's licenses and identification systems, but the timelines and requirements mandated by Real ID are unrealistic," the National Governors Association (NGA) says in its policy position paper.

The NGA calls the program an unfunded mandate of $11 billion over five years that its members cannot afford.

Miss Napolitano said Real ID will be the focus of conversation when she drops by the NGA's winter meeting this weekend. She said governors need options to make identification more secure, but not necessarily "under the rubric of Real ID."

"Enhanced driver's licenses give confidence that the person holding the card is the person who is supposed to be holding the card, and it's less elaborate than Real ID," Miss Napolitano said.

According to the NGA, the Department of Homeland Security secretary should be granted the flexibility to recognize innovation at the state level.

Full Article at link:
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/20/napolitano-debates-real-id/