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Schwarzenegger: No Driver's Licenses for Illegals
For the second time in two years, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday vetoed a bill that would have allowed illegal immigrants to get driver's licenses.
The governor said the state should wait for federal regulations designed to combat terrorism. The federal government first needs to draft guidelines for the REAL ID Act passed after the 2001 terrorist attacks before California takes action related to its main identification cards, he said.
The bill's author, Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, said his legislation complies with the federal law, although he acknowledged it goes beyond what federal law requires. His bill, SB1162, provides for security measures and a special mark showing that the license is held by an illegal immigrant.
Schwarzenegger said his administration is working with federal officials to develop the U.S. regulations and get money to pay for complying with the federal law.
"Until the REAL ID Act is implemented and the federal government adopts comprehensive immigration reform, it is inappropriate to move forward with state law in this area," Schwarzenegger said in his veto message.
Story Continues Below A 1993 law bars the state from issuing licenses to drivers who cannot prove they are in the country legally.
This was lawmakers' eighth attempt at legalizing driver's licenses for illegal immigrants. Former Gov. Gray Davis signed one of Cedillo's bills in 2003, but it was repealed by lawmakers after voters recalled Davis and Schwarzenegger was elected to replace him.
Cedillo promised to push the legislation again next year. "I am disappointed he has decided to put forth his personal agenda rather than doing what is right for the people of California," Cedillo said in a telephone interview. Schwarzenegger is racing to beat a Saturday deadline to act on legislation sent to him before lawmakers adjourned last month. He has signed 590 bills and vetoed 69, and has 503 bills remaining on his desk.
© 2006 Associated Press.
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