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The Maine Legislature Takes a Stand Against the Federal Real ID Act REAL ID Not REAL Popular in Maine In an effort to save the Maine taxpayers an estimated $185 million, we enacted a law prohibiting the State from participating in a new federal driver’s license identification program called REAL ID. The national law would require the State of Maine to fund costs involved in creating a new universal driver’s license for all Maine residents. The high price tag of REAL ID lends itself a “real” problem to the people of Maine.
		Senator Mitchell Urges Repeal of the Real ID Act Thursday, January 25, 2007 Senate Majority Libby Mitchell, D-Kennebec County, speaks in favor of a Joint Resolution she sponsored urging Congress and the President to repeal the Real ID Act of 2005. Watch speech...
		Senator Rotundo Urges Repeal of the Real ID Act Thursday, January 25, 2007 Senate Peggy Rotundo, D-Androscoggin County, speaks in favor of a Joint Resolution urging Congress and the President to repeal the Real ID Act of 2005. Watch speech...
		Senator Strimling Urges Repeal of the Real ID Act Thursday, January 25, 2007 Senate Ethan Strimling, D-Cumberland County, speaks in favor of a Joint Resolution urging Congress and the President to repeal the Real ID Act of 2005. Watch speech...
		Senator Diamond Urges Repeal of the Real ID Act Thursday, January 25, 2007 Senate Bill Diamond, D-Cumberland County, speaks in favor of a Joint Resolution urging Congress and the President to repeal the Real ID Act of 2005. Watch speech...

 

 

Real ID Links

• 
  Maine Legislature Passes First-In-The Nation Resolution Urging the Repeal of the Real ID Act
  
• Joint Resolution Urging Congress to Repeal Real ID
• 
  Special Op-ed to the Portland Press Herald by Senator Mitchell Opposing the Real ID Act
  

What's Wrong with Real ID

Real ID is an Unfunded Mandate that will cost Maine an estimated $185 million over the first 5 years,

Real ID will mean higher fees for Mainers to obtain a license

Real ID is a Bureaucratic Nightmare

It will require Maine to remake its drivers license, restructure its computer databases, and create an extensive new document storage system

It will mean longer lines and frequent snafus and eliminate same-day licenses

Moreover, it will turn Maine’s BMV workers into enforcement agents of federal law

Real ID Increases our Risk of Identity Theft

Real ID will create a single shared database of identity
information accessible to BMV workers nationwide

It will require the BMV to store copies of our birth certificates and other documents

It will include a machine-readable zone that will allow for easy capture of personal information by stores or anyone with a reader

More About Real ID

Real ID mandates that by 2008 Maine turn its driver’s license into a national ID card that will be part of a 50- state shared database. The card that was once used to prove an individual was safe to drive will now be used as an “internal passport” that can be used to track an individual’s movement and activities.

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