Lately, news is bubbling to the surface about federal ID as a way to supplant the political aims of Texas State leaders wishing to appear "tough on immigration".
Take this exerpt from the Kilgore News Herald:
Voter I.D. became, by far, the bill killer of the '09 session - good and bad. In the end, the Voter ID bill died a separate humiliating death apart from the Real ID Act of Texas, as proposed by Merritt last session. Both HCR 50 (the Texas Sovereignty resolution) and HCR 180 ( the bill to ban Real ID from TX) didn't make it out of State Affairs due to complications from the Voter ID log jam.
http://www.kilgorenewsherald.com/news/2010-01-30/News/Merritt_talks_politics_with_Kilgore_Lions.html
While locals are taking more time to extract the truth from the lies, it is a duty to inform all who supported the anti-Real ID efforts in the past that Tommy Merritt intends to politically marry voter ID to Real ID so Voter ID has another lifetime next legislature. It's a foolhardy prospect because even federal administrators of Real ID, namely DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, have no intentions of enforcing Real ID regulations due to 36 states nullifying the results. Civil liberty advocates are now more concerned about the fusion center intelligence hubs getting development monies from DHS appropriations bills.
Why should Texas pay a dime, much less $34 million, when there is no impetus or consequence to do anything from a federal mandate? Merritt, and others from TCCP's cadres, insist that it's a way to control immigration. Coyotes simply find other ways of defrauding the system using the black market for hacks. Texans continue to compete with black market labor. Real ID doesn't stop employers from preferring under the table labor and is a hidden reason why the "immigration cause" contributed to its nullification.
Merritt has served three terms on the Border Committee and describes himself as a strong advocate on border security. “Recently the legislature has spent $100 million on border security and sent 200 more DPS officers to the border,” he said.
“I have supported the REAL I.D. program, which would make the Texas Drivers License a form of identification that would show the person’s immigration status,” said Rep. Merritt. “This bill has received a lot of push back. One reason is the cost of the program; it was originally estimated to cost $240 million but that cost is down now to $34 million for Texas. Other border states are not wanting to spend the money and they want the federal government to fund the program.”
Even now when a person goes to vote, a photo I.D. is not required and even if a drivers license is presented to vote, it does not yet confirm citizenship. “With the REAL I.D., and a required photo I.D. to vote, only citizens would be voting,” said Merritt.
Some Texans have varied ideas about what Real ID is and should be. What Real ID will never be is a way to shore up identity security and hamper illegal immigration. No matter how much Merritt and Wayne Christian yell it from the top of their lungs - it's all air and no earth.
While locals are taking more time to extract the truth from the lies, it is a duty to inform all who supported the anti-Real ID efforts in the past that Tommy Merritt intends to politically marry voter ID to Real ID so Voter ID has another lifetime next legislature. It's a foolhardy prospect because even federal administrators of Real ID, namely DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano, have no intentions of enforcing Real ID regulations due to 36 states nullifying the results. Civil liberty advocates are now more concerned about the fusion center intelligence hubs getting development monies from DHS appropriations bills.
Why should Texas pay a dime, much less $34 million, when there is no impetus or consequence to do anything from a federal mandate? Merritt, and others from TCCP's cadres, insist that it's a way to control immigration. Coyotes simply find other ways of defrauding the system using the black market for hacks. Texans continue to compete with black market labor. Real ID doesn't stop employers from preferring under the table labor and is a hidden reason why the "immigration cause" contributed to its nullification.
I would say that Voter ID and Real ID were successfully decoupled, in concept, last session due to significant holes in the Carter Baker Commission reports. Texans may pursue a voter ID if they like [GOOD LUCK!] - but Real ID may not be on the federal books to deliver. 2 bills to repeal and dispose of Real ID Act have been in the works for close to 7 months. The more recent of the two was directly derived from Rep. Carl Isett's resolution, HCR 180 (R-Lubbock).
If 'R's want voter ID, they can try again next session. However, Real ID probably won't be around to "save" anyone for very much longer.
Voter I.D. became, by far, the bill killer of the '09 session - good and bad. In the end, the Voter ID bill died a separate humiliating death apart from the Real ID Act of Texas, as proposed by Merritt last session. Both HCR 50 (the Texas Sovereignty resolution) and HCR 180 ( the bill to ban Real ID from TX) didn't make it out of State Affairs due to complications from the Voter ID log jam.
Per, DPS and Governor Perry's run on $34 million in "forfeited Real Estate" to supplement the Texas angle on the National ID scheme - it's puzzling. One side of Perry yells " Sovereignty!" and "Secession!" and the other yells "federal and international money is on Texas roads and land!" Texas' current governor is tough to figure out. Especially when K-12 educators gave him credit for blocking the Real ID Act in Texas. It's always some weird surprise with Gov. Perry.
Texas can decide what this "means". For now Texas Republicans are sporting two divergently different narratives among the State legislature on national identity. After awhile I imagine no one will trust any of it.
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