HOLDING THEIR BREATH:
Maine and South Carolina
RADIO NEWSCAST on Spychips with Katherine Albrecht 3-29-08
DHS determined non-compliant states will be inconvenienced after May 11th, 2008 boarding airlines and entering federal buildings with their current state ID's. To date, not a single state is able comply with Real ID standards issued by the Department of Homeland Security or are logistically prepared to meet the requirements by the May 11th deadline this year. This substantiated the need to issue a state extension plan with a deadline of MONDAY, March 31, 2008.
Montana is now considered “compliant” by the DHS, based on a statement from the Montana governor’s office after a face-off earlier this week. The Montana Governor stood up for citizens to be exempted from hassles at federal buildings and airports saying of his contest letter to DHS,
"I sent them a horse and if they want to call it a zebra, that's up to them," Schweitzer said. "They can call it whatever they want, and it wasn't a love letter."
New Hampshire Reaches DHS Compromise 3-27-08
some update c/o AP
New Hampshire (NH) hoped to be exempted based on the first issue of their letter which the DHS rejected, finding the letter not to be “legally acceptable”. The second letter yielded way to for its citizens passage into federal Bbuildings and airlines without discrimination.
"I am pleased that the federal government has recognized that the citizens of New Hampshire should not be singled out, and that it will not impose Real ID requirements here beginning in May," Gov. Lynch said.
"We have a law that prohibits New Hampshire from taking part in this burdensome system. New Hampshire, along with many other states has raised legitimate questions about the costs and privacy issues associated with Real ID. Congress must listen to the very real concerns of states and citizens, and re-think the entire Real ID program, " said Lynch is a press statement yesterday.
SOUTH CAROLINA UPDATE 3-28-08
c/o cooperation from TheState, BeatTheChip.org
Columbia, SC- According to the South Carolina's (SC) Governor’s office, meetings to decide on the extension status of Real ID been ongoing. The decision on the direction for South Carolina will more than likely be released on Monday. Unlike Montana, Maine and New Hampshire, no letter was issued from their offices with requests to spare constituents hassles at both federal buildings and airlines. The governor's office said their priorities addressing Real ID for locals are: funding, convenience, and privacy. Priviously this week the SC attorney’s general's office held off on a potential lawsuit to sue feds over the act, saying it was "too soon to sue the Federal Government".
Area news sources indicated from the frequency of the types of meetings with the governor's office, funding may be the heaviest weighted issue for the state. Public officials gave comment that South Carolina does not have a “stellar record on privacy" with direct regards to their licenses. Allthough, sources cite that the state is holding firm to their story that current licenses meet Real ID requirements.
MAINE UPDATE 3-28-08
BeatTheChip.org
Augusta, ME- 9:22 am EST, Maine’s governor was meeting internally to discuss Real ID. Maine had released a letter very similar to Montana’ to exempt citizens concerned about privacy, travel hassles and the costs.
The Attorney General's office expresed concern that there would not be enough time between January, 12 2008, now and May 11th, 2008 to get passports for air travel from state-to-state.
“Maine has made tremendous progress in improving our driver’s license, and our State has made it clear that we do not support REAL ID,” Governor Baldacci said. “But I also felt it was necessary to send this letter to the Department of Homeland Security. I do not want to see Maine people used as a political pawn in a dispute between federal and state authorities. Come May 11, Mainers should be able to travel without extra security or unnecessary delays. To target them would be unfair.”
Governor Baldacci also said Wednesday that there is an alternative to REAL ID.
“Maine Rep. Tom Allen has submitted bipartisan legislation that would repeal REAL ID and replace it with a process that will improve national security without placing an enormous financial burden on states or compromising civil liberties,” Governor Baldacci said. “There is an alternative to the path we’re on. I hope Congress and the President will take it.”
Rep. Allen’s bill, H.R. 1117, re-establishes a negotiated rulemaking process involving all stakeholders to develop standards for state driver’s licenses. Maine was engaged in this process, which was working before its repeal by the REAL ID Act.
More News:
(AP)- People over 50 are getting exemption from presenting a Real ID compliant card by 2014, but will need to provide a Real- ID compliant license by 2017.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
NPR: Chertoff hearkens to States Bluff
LISTEN!!
NPR: SC,NH,MT,ME Challenge Homeland Security's ID Deadline
Real ID Opposed Causes NGA Extra Laps 03-26-08
c/o Stateline.org
DHS has already given states a break announcing it allow another five years to comply with Real ID under regulations issued this past January that cut the cost and gave states more flexibility.
Key lawmakers on Capitol Hill also continue to question the law, which received no hearings, was attached to an emergency funding bill and passed overwhelmingly by the then Republican-controlled Congress. Bills since introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives would repeal the act, but have not advanced past committees.
Eight U.S. senators recently sent a scathing letter to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, asking that all states be given an exemption until the end of next year. The agency rejected the request on March 21.
Tim Sparapani, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer, is not convinced that DHS really will enforce the law: There is no sign that the federal Transportation Security Administration, which handles airport security, is hiring the extra security personnel for airports that could need stepped-up security checks in May, he said.
David Quam, NGA’s chief lobbyist, said states and the federal government are at an important crossroads. “We’re at a fork in the road. If we go one direction, the states and federal government can work together to get this done, and if we go the other direction, it will be much more difficult.” ::FULL STORY HERE::
BeatTheChip Targets Suggested Real ID Lobbys or Be "BIOMETRIFIED"
3-27-08
Persons with aggrivated concerns over Real ID should start badgering Washington lobbyists. Here are a suggested list of offending companies who should get a knock at the door, phone calls and letters regarding this. Lobbyist contact information can be obtained by signing up at Lobbyists.info for a FREE 5 day trial of their database product.
Real ID lobbyists may fall under the following search: Legislative Issues
Budget/Appropriations
Computer Industry
Government Issues
Homeland Security
Transportation
Immigration
Here are most of the companies & non-profits who insist that you need biometric face scanns and microchips in your nationalized licenses:
1) Digimarc : $350,000 in Real- ID lobbys; Janice Kephart, 911 Securities Solutions
2) The National Governor's Association : David Quam has been paid to push.
3) AAMVA: pushed Drivers License Compact & New! World Class Drivers License Agreement
4) Coalition for Secure Driver's License, Janice Kephart, 9-11 Securities Solutions
5) Infotech Strategies, Inc. : John K Raffetto
6) Security Exchange Commission : a.k.a. The Military Industrial Complex
7) DHS/FEMA
NPR: SC,NH,MT,ME Challenge Homeland Security's ID Deadline
Real ID Opposed Causes NGA Extra Laps 03-26-08
c/o Stateline.org
DHS has already given states a break announcing it allow another five years to comply with Real ID under regulations issued this past January that cut the cost and gave states more flexibility.
Key lawmakers on Capitol Hill also continue to question the law, which received no hearings, was attached to an emergency funding bill and passed overwhelmingly by the then Republican-controlled Congress. Bills since introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives would repeal the act, but have not advanced past committees.
Eight U.S. senators recently sent a scathing letter to DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff, asking that all states be given an exemption until the end of next year. The agency rejected the request on March 21.
Tim Sparapani, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer, is not convinced that DHS really will enforce the law: There is no sign that the federal Transportation Security Administration, which handles airport security, is hiring the extra security personnel for airports that could need stepped-up security checks in May, he said.
David Quam, NGA’s chief lobbyist, said states and the federal government are at an important crossroads. “We’re at a fork in the road. If we go one direction, the states and federal government can work together to get this done, and if we go the other direction, it will be much more difficult.” ::FULL STORY HERE::
BeatTheChip Targets Suggested Real ID Lobbys or Be "BIOMETRIFIED"
3-27-08
Persons with aggrivated concerns over Real ID should start badgering Washington lobbyists. Here are a suggested list of offending companies who should get a knock at the door, phone calls and letters regarding this. Lobbyist contact information can be obtained by signing up at Lobbyists.info for a FREE 5 day trial of their database product.
Real ID lobbyists may fall under the following search: Legislative Issues
Budget/Appropriations
Computer Industry
Government Issues
Homeland Security
Transportation
Immigration
Here are most of the companies & non-profits who insist that you need biometric face scanns and microchips in your nationalized licenses:
1) Digimarc : $350,000 in Real- ID lobbys; Janice Kephart, 911 Securities Solutions
2) The National Governor's Association : David Quam has been paid to push.
3) AAMVA: pushed Drivers License Compact & New! World Class Drivers License Agreement
4) Coalition for Secure Driver's License, Janice Kephart, 9-11 Securities Solutions
5) Infotech Strategies, Inc. : John K Raffetto
6) Security Exchange Commission : a.k.a. The Military Industrial Complex
7) DHS/FEMA
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
ANCHORAGE SCORES 14-4 TOWARD REAL-ID REPEAL
Big government is as big government does. It's up to you where you want to work. If you so choose to accept your mission as a government employee, you stand to endure more personal prying about the integrity of your identity than before because of who is paying your salary.
The Real ID Act of 2005 is exceptionally unpopular with certain Democrats and Republicans. Partisan legislative decision makers are culpable based on the evidence of their voting record. Check up on your elected officials. Step into their office with a gentle voice and firm handshake and express your need for this act to be repealed. Just think of it like this: instead of spending 4 hours holed up at the DMV getting a biometric face scann and the RFID chip you paid for with your tax money; spend a lunch break scanning the face of your local representatives , eye-to-eye and tell them why this act is not a good use of your taxable earnings. I know you will get somewhere.
Contact your local, state and national leaders to repeal the Real ID Act of 2005.
BTW: Katherine Albrect from WTPRN.com's daypart program SPYCHIPS has returned to the mic. To celebrate her return from Arizona cover all things chippy and scanned pertaining to border patrols and the tracking of corporate drones, here is a recent show on Real ID. (Skip the first 5 minutes) Please check back for details of a BeatTheChip appearance on her show.
ANCHORAGE UPHOLDS LOCALS on REAL-ID in WASHINGTON VOTE
3-25-08
c/0 Juneau Empire/JuneauBlogger.com
The Senate on Monday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, barring the state government from spending money to create what some fear would be a national ID card.
"We don't know the exact cost, but we know it will cost millions of dollars," Wielechowski told the Senate on Monday.
His bill passed 14-4, and now goes on to the House of Representatives.
The House is scheduled to vote today on a resolution sponsored by Rep. John Coghill, R-North Pole, urging repeal of the federal Real ID Act.
Federal Real ID legislation would require additional proof of identification to get a driver's license, including submission of a birth certificate, which would be kept in file by Division of Motor Vehicles.
It also would create a national database, turning the new Real ID-compliant drivers licenses into national ID cards. :: FULL STORY HERE::
BEAT THE CHIP HOLDS AP REPORTER TO CORRECTION REGARDING CHIP
3-26-08
If you read this report from AP Real ID correspondent Devlin Barrett, it cites that there will not be a microchip in Real ID licenses. This was cause for pause because he didn't cite a source. BeatTheChip caught up with the Washington correspondent to discuss this :
"The cards will have three layers of security measures, but will not contain microchips. States will be able to choose from a menu of security measures to put in their cards."
After prodding the Reuter's(AP) employee (owned by Rothschild family of note) it came to light that the DHS released documentation to the press about "3 degrees of security measures", did in fact include a microchip to embed in licenses.
I was so ready to be relieved.
ALEXANDER PREPARES CONGRESSIONAL RETURN ON REAL ID
3-25-08 c/o TheHill.com
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) wants to scrap a three-year-old anti-terrorism law that his fellow Republicans drafted in response to the Sept. 11 attacks. And with his new power in the GOP conference, he may have a chance.
Alexander’s target is the 2005 Real ID Act, which mandated that states adopt uniform federal standards for driver’s licenses. Despite the Tennessee Republican’s concerns, he was outnumbered by party colleagues who wanted to stop terrorists from exploiting loose identification laws.
This time around, Alexander has leverage. As chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, he is the third-ranking Republican in the chamber. He also has a strong ally in Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who, like most Democrats, disagrees with the law. As a former governor, Alexander also has many of the nation’s governors and state legislatures behind him. Many complain that the federal government overstepped its bounds when it enacted the legislation that included the provision and effectively passed along a huge public expense to the states. :: FULL STORY HERE::
The Real ID Act of 2005 is exceptionally unpopular with certain Democrats and Republicans. Partisan legislative decision makers are culpable based on the evidence of their voting record. Check up on your elected officials. Step into their office with a gentle voice and firm handshake and express your need for this act to be repealed. Just think of it like this: instead of spending 4 hours holed up at the DMV getting a biometric face scann and the RFID chip you paid for with your tax money; spend a lunch break scanning the face of your local representatives , eye-to-eye and tell them why this act is not a good use of your taxable earnings. I know you will get somewhere.
Contact your local, state and national leaders to repeal the Real ID Act of 2005.
BTW: Katherine Albrect from WTPRN.com's daypart program SPYCHIPS has returned to the mic. To celebrate her return from Arizona cover all things chippy and scanned pertaining to border patrols and the tracking of corporate drones, here is a recent show on Real ID. (Skip the first 5 minutes) Please check back for details of a BeatTheChip appearance on her show.
ANCHORAGE UPHOLDS LOCALS on REAL-ID in WASHINGTON VOTE
3-25-08
c/0 Juneau Empire/JuneauBlogger.com
The Senate on Monday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Bill Wielechowski, D-Anchorage, barring the state government from spending money to create what some fear would be a national ID card.
"We don't know the exact cost, but we know it will cost millions of dollars," Wielechowski told the Senate on Monday.
His bill passed 14-4, and now goes on to the House of Representatives.
The House is scheduled to vote today on a resolution sponsored by Rep. John Coghill, R-North Pole, urging repeal of the federal Real ID Act.
Federal Real ID legislation would require additional proof of identification to get a driver's license, including submission of a birth certificate, which would be kept in file by Division of Motor Vehicles.
It also would create a national database, turning the new Real ID-compliant drivers licenses into national ID cards. :: FULL STORY HERE::
BEAT THE CHIP HOLDS AP REPORTER TO CORRECTION REGARDING CHIP
3-26-08
If you read this report from AP Real ID correspondent Devlin Barrett, it cites that there will not be a microchip in Real ID licenses. This was cause for pause because he didn't cite a source. BeatTheChip caught up with the Washington correspondent to discuss this :
"The cards will have three layers of security measures, but will not contain microchips. States will be able to choose from a menu of security measures to put in their cards."
After prodding the Reuter's(AP) employee (owned by Rothschild family of note) it came to light that the DHS released documentation to the press about "3 degrees of security measures", did in fact include a microchip to embed in licenses.
I was so ready to be relieved.
ALEXANDER PREPARES CONGRESSIONAL RETURN ON REAL ID
3-25-08 c/o TheHill.com
Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) wants to scrap a three-year-old anti-terrorism law that his fellow Republicans drafted in response to the Sept. 11 attacks. And with his new power in the GOP conference, he may have a chance.
Alexander’s target is the 2005 Real ID Act, which mandated that states adopt uniform federal standards for driver’s licenses. Despite the Tennessee Republican’s concerns, he was outnumbered by party colleagues who wanted to stop terrorists from exploiting loose identification laws.
This time around, Alexander has leverage. As chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, he is the third-ranking Republican in the chamber. He also has a strong ally in Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who, like most Democrats, disagrees with the law. As a former governor, Alexander also has many of the nation’s governors and state legislatures behind him. Many complain that the federal government overstepped its bounds when it enacted the legislation that included the provision and effectively passed along a huge public expense to the states. :: FULL STORY HERE::
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Real ID Overextended: Montana gloats; SC drops suit
LIKE-IT-OR-NOT EXTENSION AWARDED TO MONTANTA 03-21-08
WIRED c/o Threat Level
VIEW VIDEO c/0 NECN.com
"Montana governor Brian Schweitzer says he won the Real ID stare down with DHS chief Michael Chertoff.Photo: Montana Governor's Office
"If I were writing the headline, it would be 'DHS Blinks," Schweitzer, a Democrat, told THREAT LEVEL by phone late Friday.
Montana's attorney general sent DHS chief Michael Chertoff a letter (.pdf) Friday outlining the security features in Montana's current driver's licenses, which DHS threatened to reject as valid I.D. for boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings come May 11 unless the state promised to comply with Real ID.
DHS responded by interpreting that letter as a request for an extension (.pdf) of the Real ID deadlines until 2010, reversing its previous position that Montana ID cards would be rejected by federal agents.
"I sent them a horse and if they want to call it a zebra, that's up to them," Schweitzer said. "They can call it whatever they want, and it wasn't a love letter."
Schweitzer emphasized that his state's licenses already contain holograms, secure digital photographs and a magnetic stripe on the back. But says he has no intention of sharing his state's residents' data with the federal government, as required by Real ID. ::FULL STORY HERE::
SOUTH CAROLINA PULLS BACK REAL ID LAWSUIT 3-25-08
Associated Press
South Carolina's attorney general says it's too early for the state to sue the federal government over new driver's licenses.
Attorney General Henry McMaster's opinion released Monday says the state should show the Department of Homeland Security what it already has done to make driver's licenses more secure following the September 11 terror attacks. McMaster says that will show the federal agency that the state is meeting the standards of the new law, known as Real ID.
Governor Mark Sanford has been considering whether to seek an extension to comply with the law. The deadline is next Monday.
If Sanford doesn't seek one, South Carolinians will have to use a passport to board airplanes or go through extra security checks.
A REAL-ID DEBATE FOR PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARIES?
BeatTheChip.org comment
The 2008 Democratic primaries have proven a visceral contest between snapping red-herrings and the grueling endurance to volley the issues. Real ID has become an unpopular thorn in the side of both privacy advocates and Chertoff himself. All front running Presidential candidates voted in the Real ID Act of 2005. Chertoff asserts US states convinced him "they wanted this very much". Today the Congressional mandate ails from State's constituent revulsion and serious lack of funding. We Are Change polished the Penn State rendition of their Real ID song. Lets hope like crazy that between now and May 11th , 2008 Real ID will become a civil liberties tipping point as part of the Presidential discourse. Wishfully, before a RFID chip comes up on your state's DMV menu of options.
WIRED c/o Threat Level
VIEW VIDEO c/0 NECN.com
"Montana governor Brian Schweitzer says he won the Real ID stare down with DHS chief Michael Chertoff.Photo: Montana Governor's Office
"If I were writing the headline, it would be 'DHS Blinks," Schweitzer, a Democrat, told THREAT LEVEL by phone late Friday.
Montana's attorney general sent DHS chief Michael Chertoff a letter (.pdf) Friday outlining the security features in Montana's current driver's licenses, which DHS threatened to reject as valid I.D. for boarding airplanes or entering federal buildings come May 11 unless the state promised to comply with Real ID.
DHS responded by interpreting that letter as a request for an extension (.pdf) of the Real ID deadlines until 2010, reversing its previous position that Montana ID cards would be rejected by federal agents.
"I sent them a horse and if they want to call it a zebra, that's up to them," Schweitzer said. "They can call it whatever they want, and it wasn't a love letter."
Schweitzer emphasized that his state's licenses already contain holograms, secure digital photographs and a magnetic stripe on the back. But says he has no intention of sharing his state's residents' data with the federal government, as required by Real ID. ::FULL STORY HERE::
SOUTH CAROLINA PULLS BACK REAL ID LAWSUIT 3-25-08
Associated Press
South Carolina's attorney general says it's too early for the state to sue the federal government over new driver's licenses.
Attorney General Henry McMaster's opinion released Monday says the state should show the Department of Homeland Security what it already has done to make driver's licenses more secure following the September 11 terror attacks. McMaster says that will show the federal agency that the state is meeting the standards of the new law, known as Real ID.
Governor Mark Sanford has been considering whether to seek an extension to comply with the law. The deadline is next Monday.
If Sanford doesn't seek one, South Carolinians will have to use a passport to board airplanes or go through extra security checks.
A REAL-ID DEBATE FOR PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARIES?
BeatTheChip.org comment
The 2008 Democratic primaries have proven a visceral contest between snapping red-herrings and the grueling endurance to volley the issues. Real ID has become an unpopular thorn in the side of both privacy advocates and Chertoff himself. All front running Presidential candidates voted in the Real ID Act of 2005. Chertoff asserts US states convinced him "they wanted this very much". Today the Congressional mandate ails from State's constituent revulsion and serious lack of funding. We Are Change polished the Penn State rendition of their Real ID song. Lets hope like crazy that between now and May 11th , 2008 Real ID will become a civil liberties tipping point as part of the Presidential discourse. Wishfully, before a RFID chip comes up on your state's DMV menu of options.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)