Annapolis dodges a bullet on immigrant license legislation
Many Marylanders will be upset at the compromise the General Assembly struck on illegal immigrant driver's licenses. People on the right will decry it as amnesty (if temporary) for illegal immigrants. People on the left say the legislature approved a plan that will make Maryland's roads less safe; illegal immigrants will keep driving but without licenses and insurance, they argue. In fact, I'm betting people who voted for this bill -- which grandfathers current illegal immigrant license holders in until 2015 -- will get no end of grief for it.
Even so, I'd say the last-minute passage of the bill was much better for them, politically speaking, than the alternative. If the bill hadn't passed, an impending federal deadline to implement the Real ID act would likely have forced a special session on the issue. And if people are upset about the issue now, imagine a scenario in which the legislature is debating nothing else -- and spending extra taxpayer dollars to do it.
There's plenty legislators have to worry about between now and possible re-election in 2010 -- billion-dollar budget shortfalls, for example. But at least they can cross this one off the list.
Comments
LEGAL citizens of Maryland are screwed again by our reps. They have more concern for ILLEGALS than their LEGAL constituents. How sad is that?
RE ELECT NO INCUMBENTS
Posted by: Fed Up | April 14, 2009 8:15 AM
Crying Kathy was shedding tears because she was fearful of losing the illegal alien vote in 2010, 2012, and 2014. Hopefully, everyone in District 15 will remember where her devotion lies. . .not with the citizens, but with the illegal fugitives from justice. Even the most liberal in MoCo have informed Crying Kathy that she has lost their vote and their funding over this issue. As more and more citizens are victims of crime by these illegal criminals, Crying Kathy worries about her illegal voting block. Think how many tears Cry Baby Kathy will have next year when she is sent packing. The Annapolis Pirates have hijacked the citizens for the last time. NOT AGAIN IN 2010.
Posted by: Citizen Payne | April 14, 2009 8:18 AM
Let's hope that Congress manages to pass comprehensive immigration reform before 2015.
Posted by: Mike Gordon | April 14, 2009 9:14 AM
But at least they can cross this one off the list.
Laziness at its best.
Andy
This is just the beginning, not the cross.
Posted by: Carole | April 14, 2009 9:42 AM
THIS IS THE PERFECT BILL TO TAKE TO REFERENDUM. PUT IT TO THE VOTERS, LEGAL VOTERS, OF THIS STATE.
Posted by: Fed Up | April 14, 2009 10:26 AM
"You've got to remember, most of these illegal immigrants are victims and fled here to seek a better life!"
Bull, come here legally, or don't come at all. Once again our "representatives" support the rights of criminals while sticking it to law-abiding, tax paying citizens.
Posted by: Kyle | April 14, 2009 10:43 AM
Prove to me that the other 46 states that do not issue licenses to illegal immigrants have higher instances of driving without licenses and insurance and I might start to believe you. Until then, that arguement is specious and unsubstantiated.
Posted by: Liz | April 15, 2009 1:12 PM