During a news conference this morning in the Capitol about voter rights, Gov. Dannel Malloy revealed that he did not opt for the advanced-security provisions of the 2005 federal REAL-ID law when he recently obtained a new driver’s license. But it’s not because he agrees with civil libertarians that the REAL-ID Act is an invasion of civil rights by offering higher levels of ID to native-born US citizens, with its little designation on the new license. He simply forgot to bring the necessary documents (passport, original birth certificate, original Social Security card) when renewed the licence with the now year-old Prospect Avenue home address. The Blogster asked him about it during the news conference, which had focused on voter-rights legislation planned for next month’s legislative session.
Blogster: “Governor, speaking of civil rights, you said you just renewed your driver’s license. Did you bring your passport and go for the REAL-ID?”
Malloy: “You know, I would have except that I had forgotten it, so I’ve got to go back there at some point and get that as well. But the new license indicates on its face whether you have gone through that process or not. So I did not. No. I wish I had.”
Here’s a link to the federal Department of Homeland Security describing requirements for what some say is the national ID card. Civil libertarians including the ACLU and the Cato Institute, however, call it intrusive and underfunded to the point that it will never attain widespread use, except to scare illegal immigrants.
http://www.dhs.gov/files/laws/gc_1172765386179.shtm
Of course, since the governor has a State Police detail who drive him everywhere, he’s in the eviable position of not needing a driver’s license, except maybe as ID to buy wine if/when his Sunday-sales legislation goes through the General Assembly.