Real ID bill passes Minn. House and Senate, heads to Gov. Dayton
Minnesota lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to bring the state’s driver’s licenses in line with upgraded federal security standards, finally ensuring that Minnesotans won’t have to use passports to get through airport security.
The Minnesota House voted 120-11 on Wednesday to bring the state into compliance with the federal Real ID law; the Senate followed suit later in the evening with a 57-8 vote. If signed by Gov. Mark Dayton as expected, it will allow Minnesota to follow the other 49 U.S. states in moving to upgrade their licensing systems.
“We really are last in the country, and today’s vote on the House floor and the expected vote on the Senate floor this evening and the governor’s signature will get us in line so we are no longer an outlier on this issue,” said Rep. Dennis Smith, R-Maple Grove, the author of the Real ID bill.
Even as that long-standing dispute finally moved toward resolution at the State Capitol, Dayton and Republican legislative leaders remained unable to come to terms on a two-year state spending plan.
Read more: http://www.startribune.com/compromise-on-real-id-licenses-headed-for-a-vote/422788024/
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"A handful of lawmakers remained holdouts, bothered by the specter of federal intrusion: “It is subjecting our state to the federal government,” said Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove."
Yeah, right, he "stands on principles" while the rest of us have to struggle to just be able to board a plane. Passports are expensive but, no doubt, Mister Limmer has his own, paid by us because it was "work related expense."
The hypocrisy of the Republicans nation-wide knows no bounds.
