New Bill Would Cut $900 Million Unless State Stops Illegal Licensing
"Citing national security, GOP Rep. Sue Myrick of Charlotte introduced legislation Wednesday that would deny North Carolina $870 million 
in federal highway money unless it stops issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. Specifically, Myrick's bill would target six states that still accept taxpayer ID numbers -- issued by the Internal Revenue Service -- as proof of identity or residence by persons seeking a driver's license," the Charlotte Observer reports. "Myrick's immigration bill, her third this year, targets an issue that has angered her base of conservative supporters. North Carolina is home to an estimated 300,000 undocumented immigrants. For them, a driver's license is more than just legal authorization to drive. It's a government-approved ID, complete with a picture. Flashing this prized possession can make it easier to keep a job, cash a check or find a place to live."
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You go, Sue! It is about time someone in government starts doing something to control illegal immigration that is draining their states and us all. Punishment and legislation is the only way to start to get a handle on this---300,000 illegals in one state only is way too many.
This is of great interest to myself and all other like minded Illinoisans.
Full article text. [Note the offender states]
Citing national security, Rep. Sue Myrick of Charlotte introduced legislation Wednesday that would deny North Carolina all its $890 million in federal highway money unless it stops issuing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.
Her bill targets six states that still accept taxpayer ID numbers from the Internal Revenue Service as proof of identity or residence by those seeking licenses.
The others are;
West Virginia
ILLINOIS
New Mexico
Kentucky
and Utah, her office said.
Myrick, a Republican who is looking at a run for governor in 2008, focused on her home state -- particularly Democrats who run state government in Raleigh.
"Basically, we're here to call on the governor (Mike Easley) and the legislature in North Carolina to stop issuing driver's licenses to illegal aliens," said Myrick, who was joined at a news conference by GOP Reps. Patrick McHenry of Cherryville and Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk.
In fact, the state is already heading in the direction Myrick wants.
"The governor already handled this," said Easley spokeswoman Sherri Johnson. At his direction, she said, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles worked with the General Assembly on a measure to stop allowing taxpayer IDs to obtain a license.
The state Senate approved it, and it's given a good chance of passing in the House when the legislature returns in May.
Given that forecast, Myrick's action Wednesday drew a rebuke from the office of N.C. Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, D-Dare.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SUE!!
As honorable as this fight may be, I don't think it will happen. Money makes the world go round and Ms. Myrick will have a very tough time prying those kinds of funds away from the state, even though her conservative constituents demand an end to illegal privileges...
But I commend the effort and wish her the best of luck.
