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'Real ID' meets opposition from state lawmaker

by Channel 2 News Staff
Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The federal government's plan for a new type of driver's license called Real ID is supposed to start phasing in about six years.

But much sooner than that Real ID could become a point of contention among Alaska lawmakers.

Specifically, Sen. Bill Wielechowski who has pre-filed a bill that would prohibit state spending to implement or assist the Real ID act.

"I think most Alaskans are fundamentally opposed to this and the federal government wants us to pay for it on top of that," said Wielechowski, D-Anchorage. "So what this bill says is 'Hey, you know what if you want to implement big brother, if you want to implement a surveillance society we're not going to pay for it.' That's what we're saying with this bill."

Wielechoski said he expects bipartisan support for the bill.