Ed Rendell on Homeland Security Democratic PA Governor

Feds should fund REAL ID driver licenses, not states

Governors supported initial legislation to enhance driver’s licenses through a cooperative negotiated rulemaking. When that legislation was repealed and replaced with REAL ID, governors objected, and the Department of Homelan Security improved its draft regulations.

Governors also asked Congress to provide adequate funding to cover the cost of this new national mandate. If REAL ID is to become reality, the federal government must provide sufficient funding to cover states’ cost and preserve flexibility for states to manage their unique systems. State compliance with REAL ID regulations will cost states nearly $4 billion over the next ten years. To date Congress has appropriated only $90 million for REAL ID.