Masquerading as a measure to bring California into compliance with the Federal REAL ID Act, the bill would create a two-tier system for licenses – one for persons who must be legally present in the U.S. and one for persons who do not have to prove legal presence. Although the REAL ID Act is intended to shore up the security of standard driver’s licenses, it does not prohibit a state from issuing a second-tier of driver’s licenses to persons not “legally present.” SB 60 would allow illegal aliens to drive with this second-tier license, but they would not be able to board airplanes or enter federal buildings with the license when REAL ID requirements take effect in 2011.

The legislature’s analysis indicates SB 60 is expected to encourage an estimated 2.2 million illegal aliens in California to apply for a driver's license or identification card. The state Department of Motor Vehicles estimates it will cost $80-$107 million over three years to process driver’s licenses for illegal aliens, with an offsetting $60 million gain from fee revenues. As such, the net cost of the measure would be an estimated $20-$47 million over three years.

On September 5, 2003, California Governor Gray Davis signed a bill allowing illegal aliens to get driver's licenses. The voters of California were outraged, and subsequently booted him from office. Legislation repealing the law was quickly moved through the legislature and signed by the new governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. On three subsequent occasions, Schwarzenegger vetoed bills (all sponsored by Sen. Cedillo) that would have again given driver's license to illegal aliens. Let’s make sure to kill SB 60 in the State Senate so he isn’t tested a fourth time.

Please use this link to find contact information for your Senator - http://www.senate.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/senators.htp. If you do not know your Senator’s name, click on the link entitled “Your Senator” in the left-hand column of that web page and enter your address.

·         Please vote NO on SB 60. Although the bill is marketed as a measure to bring California into compliance with the Federal REAL ID Act, it would enable illegal aliens to drive with a second-tier driver’s license. I am strongly opposed to giving illegal aliens driving privileges under any circumstances.

·         Having driving privileges would make it easier for illegal aliens to get or keep jobs that should be reserved for unemployed Americans and legal residents during this terrible recession. Employing illegal aliens is particularly harmful to our most vulnerable citizens and legal residents. How can you even think about passing a law that would worsen joblessness in California?

·         Without lawful presence in the United States, it is against the law for an illegal alien to hold a job in California. To give driver's licenses to illegal aliens so that they can "commute to their jobs" undermines the law. It also undermines legal employers (including minority businesses) who cannot get work because illegal-alien employers underbid them.

·         The legislature’s analysis estimates that SB 60 would allow 2.2 million illegal aliens in California to apply for a driver's license. Adding 2.2 million drivers to California roads will dramatically worsen traffic congestion and environmental problems related to vehicle emissions. This bill is a nightmare for jobs, traffic and the environment!

·         SB 60 would worsen our fiscal crisis by costing the state tens of millions of dollars for the processing driver’s license applications, over and above the fees obtained from applicants. Your constituents are counting on you to make things better, not worse.

·         It is wrong to say that illegal aliens will drive without insurance if SB 60 is not passed. Insurance is on the car, not the individual. Insurance companies can, and do, issue auto insurance to people who do not have a driver’s license. They will just need someone with a license to drive them.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE!

 

Van Esser

Chief, Membership Services