HOUSE VOTES TO DEFY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON REAL ID

The House of Representatives on April 10 sent to the Senate a bill to prohibit the state from complying with the federal Real ID act, which critics say imposes expensive requirements on states and violates the privacy of citizens. Congress passed the law in 2005 but immediately encountered resistance from state governments.

Six states – Oklahoma, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Washington – have already enacted laws prohibiting implementation of Real ID. At least 11 other states, including Missouri, are considering similar legislation. The combined cost to the states of implementing Real ID is estimated at $3.9 billion.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned states that if they do not comply their residents will be barred from entering federal buildings or boarding airplanes. Critics say that is a hollow threat since it would mean the de facto closure of all federal buildings and airports in those states. The Missouri bill is HB 1716.

Real ID

Yesterday the Majority Floor Leader posted that HCR 20 would be on the calendar for debate at a future date. Never did I expect it to come up the next day, but it did. HCR 20 is a resolution the calls for the State of Missouri to reject implementaion of the Real ID act. The resolution was debated briefly and overwhelmingly passed the house the day before spring break began.
For more on the Resolution see the following link: http://www.house.mo.gov/bills071/bills/hcr20.htm

Real ID

Yesterday I joined Rep. Jim Guest in the House Lounge for a press conference regarding HCR 20. HCR 20 is a resolution that rejects the implementation of the Real ID act in the State of Missouri. I have concerns about the Real ID act. I don't like the fact that the federal government on one hand encourages us to live our lives as normally as possible without fear of terrorism but at the same time they mandate that we all start carrying mandated ID cards in order to perform daily activities. The resolution does a good job of explaining what the Real Id is and some of our objections to it, you can view the resolution at the following link: http://snipurl.com/19pc3

To date, two other states have taken legislative action to stop the implementation of the Real ID act and 37 other states have legislation pending.

On a side note the picture clearly indicates what my wife has been telling me for several weeks: I need a hair cut.