Eliot Spitzer drivers license controversy
Encyclopedia
On September 21, 2007, Governor of New York
Eliot Spitzer
issued an executive order directing that state offices allow illegal aliens to be issued driver's licenses effective December 2007. The measure was introduced three times. Once, as an executive order that was later withdrawn, then revamped as a legislative bill, which was defeated in the New York State Senate
, and finally introduced as an administrative measure through the Department of Motor Vehicles
and withdrawn again after heavy public and political opposition.
After meeting with the Department of Homeland Security
in October 2007, Spitzer agreed that licenses issued to illegal aliens would look different from other licenses and that the new licenses would not allow access to airplanes and federal buildings.
Applicants for driver's licenses would not be required to prove legal immigration status and would be allowed to present a foreign passport
as identification. After meeting with the Department of Homeland Security
in October 2007, Spitzer altered the plan so that licenses issued to illegal aliens would look different from other licenses and that the new licenses would not allow access to airplanes and federal buildings.
. His critics included Democratic presidential candidate Senator Christopher Dodd
, who denounced the proposal at a debate held on October 30. After a day of equivocation following the debate, Senator Hillary Clinton issued a prepared statement that endorsed the plan. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
opposed the executive order, calling it "inappropriate." Minority leader of the State Assembly, James Tedisco
, promised a lawsuit to block the proposal.
County clerks across the state would have been required to issue driver's licenses to illegal aliens, but thirteen county clerks promised not to do so. One such clerk who denounced the proposal was Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul
, who was appointed to serve an interim term in her office by Spitzer. She was elected to serve the remaining three years of the term of her predecessor, state Motor Vehicles Commissioner David Swarts
, after vocally breaking with Spitzer.
Others who opposed the proposal included Democratic Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand
, Democratic County Executive Steve Levy
of Suffolk County
, and Long Island Democratic State Senator Craig Johnson
. While the issue initially was significant only in New York, cable TV and talk radio made this a national controversy, as one of Spitzer's strongest critics was CNN
host Lou Dobbs
, who labeled Spitzer an "idiot" for this policy. While opposition to the driver's license proposal emerged from both political parties, Spitzer claimed his opponents were aligned with the "rabid right."
called this issue "Mr. Spitzer’s single most unpopular decision since he took office."
reported that 70% of New Yorkers opposed his plan; furthermore, only 25% would vote to re-elect Spitzer.
On November 14, the day following the release of the Siena College poll, Governor Spitzer announced he would withdraw the plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, acknowledging that it would never be implemented. The decision drew derision from the press, as the Associated Press
termed this reversal a "surrender." WCBS-TV
labeled him "Governor Flip-Flop." State Senator Rubén Díaz of the Bronx said he was "betrayed" by Spitzer's abandonment of the plan.
On November 14, the day following the release of a poll showing the proposal as extremely unpopular with voters, Spitzer announced he would withdraw the plan, acknowledging that it would never be implemented. The decision drew derision from the press, as the Associated Press
termed this reversal a "surrender." WCBS-TV
labeled him "Governor Flip-Flop." State Senator Rubén Díaz of the Bronx said he was "betrayed" by Spitzer's abandonment of the plan.
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Spitzer
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American lawyer, former Democratic Party politician, and political commentator. He was the co-host of In the Arena, a talk-show and punditry forum broadcast on CNN until CNN cancelled his show in July of 2011...
issued an executive order directing that state offices allow illegal aliens to be issued driver's licenses effective December 2007. The measure was introduced three times. Once, as an executive order that was later withdrawn, then revamped as a legislative bill, which was defeated in the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
, and finally introduced as an administrative measure through the Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
In the United States of America, a Department of Motor Vehicles is a state-level government agency that administers vehicle registration and driver licensing. Similar departments exist in Canada...
and withdrawn again after heavy public and political opposition.
First and second plans
Applicants for driver's licenses would not be required to prove legal immigration status and would be allowed to present a foreign passport as identification. At that point, eight other states did not require individuals to prove their legal immigration status when applying for a driver's licenses. Spitzer said that the new policy would help all New Yorkers by improving traffic safety, because unlicensed drivers are nearly five times as likely to be in fatal car crashes compared to licensed drivers. Spitzer also claimed that the policy would effectively allow illegal immigrants to buy auto insurance, which would reduce the number of uninsured drivers in the state and therefore decrease insurance premiums for all New Yorkers by an estimated $120 million.After meeting with the Department of Homeland Security
United States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to...
in October 2007, Spitzer agreed that licenses issued to illegal aliens would look different from other licenses and that the new licenses would not allow access to airplanes and federal buildings.
Applicants for driver's licenses would not be required to prove legal immigration status and would be allowed to present a foreign passport
Passport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
as identification. After meeting with the Department of Homeland Security
United States Department of Homeland Security
The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government, created in response to the September 11 attacks, and with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the United States and protectorates from and responding to...
in October 2007, Spitzer altered the plan so that licenses issued to illegal aliens would look different from other licenses and that the new licenses would not allow access to airplanes and federal buildings.
Reaction
The Spitzer proposal was met with massive criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Critics charged that the plan would open the door for illegal aliens to obtain official identification and compromise security improvements made since September 11, 2001September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
. His critics included Democratic presidential candidate Senator Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
Christopher John "Chris" Dodd is an American lawyer, lobbyist, and Democratic Party politician who served as a United States Senator from Connecticut for a thirty-year period ending with the 111th United States Congress....
, who denounced the proposal at a debate held on October 30. After a day of equivocation following the debate, Senator Hillary Clinton issued a prepared statement that endorsed the plan. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg
Michael Rubens Bloomberg is the current Mayor of New York City. With a net worth of $19.5 billion in 2011, he is also the 12th-richest person in the United States...
opposed the executive order, calling it "inappropriate." Minority leader of the State Assembly, James Tedisco
James Tedisco
James Nicholas "Jim" Tedisco is an American politician. He is the Republican New York State assemblyman from the 110th District, and was the Assembly's Minority Leader from November 2005 until April 2009. He has served in the Assembly since 1983...
, promised a lawsuit to block the proposal.
County clerks across the state would have been required to issue driver's licenses to illegal aliens, but thirteen county clerks promised not to do so. One such clerk who denounced the proposal was Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul
Kathleen Courtney "Kathy" Hochul is the Democratic U.S. Representative for New York's 26th congressional district, serving since June 1, 2011. She prevailed in the four-candidate special election of May 24, 2011 to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Republican Chris Lee, and is the...
, who was appointed to serve an interim term in her office by Spitzer. She was elected to serve the remaining three years of the term of her predecessor, state Motor Vehicles Commissioner David Swarts
David Swarts
David Swarts was the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, in the Cabinet of Gov. David Paterson. He was appointed to this position by former Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Dec. 21, 2006 and took office on Jan. 1, 2007, when the Spitzer Administration took office. He continued in...
, after vocally breaking with Spitzer.
Others who opposed the proposal included Democratic Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Gillibrand
Kirsten Elizabeth Rutnik Gillibrand is an attorney and the junior United States Senator from the state of New York and a member of the Democratic Party...
, Democratic County Executive Steve Levy
Steve Levy
Steve Levy is a journalist for ESPN.-Early life and career:Levy was a 1987 graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego. He also attended John F. Kennedy High School...
of Suffolk County
Suffolk County, New York
Suffolk County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York on the eastern portion of Long Island. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,493,350. It was named for the county of Suffolk in England, from which its earliest settlers came...
, and Long Island Democratic State Senator Craig Johnson
Craig Johnson (NY State Senator)
Craig M. Johnson was a Democratic Party member of the New York State Senate.-Education and early career:Johnson earned a B.A. degree from Amherst College in 1993. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from St. John's University School of Law in 1996. He was admitted to the New York State Bar...
. While the issue initially was significant only in New York, cable TV and talk radio made this a national controversy, as one of Spitzer's strongest critics was CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
host Lou Dobbs
Lou Dobbs
Louis Carl "Lou" Dobbs is an American journalist, radio host, television host on the Fox Business Network, and author. He anchored CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight until November 2009 when he announced on the air that he would leave the 24-hour cable news television network.He was born in Texas and lived...
, who labeled Spitzer an "idiot" for this policy. While opposition to the driver's license proposal emerged from both political parties, Spitzer claimed his opponents were aligned with the "rabid right."
Senate vote
On October 21, 2007, the State Senate voted to oppose the Spitzer plan by a 39-19 vote. Eight Democrats from moderate districts broke with Spitzer on the vote. After the vote, The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
called this issue "Mr. Spitzer’s single most unpopular decision since he took office."
Third plan
Following the State Senate's vote, Spitzer revised his plan again, proposing the issuance of a third type of driver's license. This driver's license would be available only to United States citizens who are New York State residents, and would be valid for crossing the Canadian border. Spitzer also announced that the expiration dates of temporary visas would be printed on the driver's licenses of individuals on temporary visas.Reaction
A poll conducted by Survey USA on October 3 reported that 56% of New Yorkers opposed the Governor's plan. By November 13, a poll by Siena CollegeSiena College
Siena College is an independent Roman Catholic liberal arts college in Loudonville, in the town of Colonie, New York, United States. Siena is a four-year, coeducational, independent college in the Franciscan tradition, founded by the Franciscan Friars in 1937. It has 3,000 full-time students and...
reported that 70% of New Yorkers opposed his plan; furthermore, only 25% would vote to re-elect Spitzer.
On November 14, the day following the release of the Siena College poll, Governor Spitzer announced he would withdraw the plan to issue driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, acknowledging that it would never be implemented. The decision drew derision from the press, as the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
termed this reversal a "surrender." WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV, channel 2, is the flagship station of the CBS television network, located in New York City. The station's studios are located within the CBS Broadcast Center and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building, both in Midtown Manhattan....
labeled him "Governor Flip-Flop." State Senator Rubén Díaz of the Bronx said he was "betrayed" by Spitzer's abandonment of the plan.
On November 14, the day following the release of a poll showing the proposal as extremely unpopular with voters, Spitzer announced he would withdraw the plan, acknowledging that it would never be implemented. The decision drew derision from the press, as the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
termed this reversal a "surrender." WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV
WCBS-TV, channel 2, is the flagship station of the CBS television network, located in New York City. The station's studios are located within the CBS Broadcast Center and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building, both in Midtown Manhattan....
labeled him "Governor Flip-Flop." State Senator Rubén Díaz of the Bronx said he was "betrayed" by Spitzer's abandonment of the plan.