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Log inResidency restriction on licenses supported
Residency restriction on licenses supported
by Outspoken on Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:33 am
Residency restriction on licenses supported
But how the law would define a Maine resident is up for debate, says a report on driver's licenses.
By GLENN ADAMS
The Associated Press
AUGUSTA — Maine should require people who get state driver's licenses to be Maine residents, says a report presented to the Legislature, but that may not be as simple as it sounds because there are so many ways to define residency.
The report submitted to the Transportation Committee on Wednesday is the product of a pair of bills last session that would have required the holders of Maine driver's licenses to be Maine residents. Both bills were set aside until the issue could be studied further.
Maine's policy of not requiring residence has come under scrutiny, and nonresidents have been prosecuted by federal officials for bringing other nonresidents to the state to get licenses.
"It's as contentious an issue as has come before this committee in terms of emotion, and protection (from) having illegal immigrants in this country," said Sen. Dennis Damon, D- Trenton, co-chairman of the committee.
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, who heads the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, endorsed the residency recommendation, saying he hopes it would ease concerns about illegal aliens getting driver's licenses.
"A residency requirement would add another layer of security to an already rigorous license issuance process," he said.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=153111&ac=PHnws
But how the law would define a Maine resident is up for debate, says a report on driver's licenses.
By GLENN ADAMS
The Associated Press
AUGUSTA — Maine should require people who get state driver's licenses to be Maine residents, says a report presented to the Legislature, but that may not be as simple as it sounds because there are so many ways to define residency.
The report submitted to the Transportation Committee on Wednesday is the product of a pair of bills last session that would have required the holders of Maine driver's licenses to be Maine residents. Both bills were set aside until the issue could be studied further.
Maine's policy of not requiring residence has come under scrutiny, and nonresidents have been prosecuted by federal officials for bringing other nonresidents to the state to get licenses.
"It's as contentious an issue as has come before this committee in terms of emotion, and protection (from) having illegal immigrants in this country," said Sen. Dennis Damon, D- Trenton, co-chairman of the committee.
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, who heads the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, endorsed the residency recommendation, saying he hopes it would ease concerns about illegal aliens getting driver's licenses.
"A residency requirement would add another layer of security to an already rigorous license issuance process," he said.
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=153111&ac=PHnws
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Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
