June 16, 2008

Would you please stop misconstruing the people’s veto to repeal LD 2309 as a driver’s license issue?

Contrary to what June 2’s front page suggested, I and many others are working to overturn this new law because it forces Maine to comply with parts of a federal law, the Real ID Act of 2005.

We are frightened by the cost – $71 million – and implications of Real ID, a national identity card that has the capacity to store our biometric data. Though LD 2309 is billed as “An Act to Enhance the Security of State Credentials,” we know that its promises of enhanced security are empty ones, as the stipulations of the Real ID Act would not have prevented the hijackers from boarding a plane on 9/11.

We are incensed that the Maine state Legislature has caved under the pressure of the Department of Homeland Security by passing LD 2309 and wedded Maine to a federal law that the Legislature itself resolved would “invite theft of identity and invasion of privacy” and “impose inconveniences and higher taxes on Mainers with no attendant benefits such as protections from terrorism.”

Moreover, we know that there is already a law on the books – LD 2304 – that requires that all recipients of a Maine drivers license be legal residents of this state.

So don’t be fooled. LD 2309 is not about drivers licenses, it’s about Real ID.

Stephanie Gharakhanian

Portland