"The Senate has made its� opposition to the Governor's plan very clear," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said. "The Senate passed a bill earlier this year that would have prevented illegal aliens from obtaining drivers licenses and we will act on a new bill when we return for a special session next month to stop the Governor's plan. We need the Assembly to join us. We need the Speaker to bring the Assembly back into session, pass our bill, and deliver a strong message to the Governor that the people of this state oppose his plan and it must be stopped."

"We welcome the support of Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, County Clerks throughout the state, and many others who recognize that the Governor's drivers license plan jeopardizes the safety and security of all New Yorkers and must be stopped," Senator Bruno added.

The legislation the Senate will take up next month is similar to bills proposed by Senator Frank Padavan (Queens) that would require applicants for a drivers license or non-driver identification card, to submit satisfactory proof to the Department of Motor Vehicles that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law (S.74); and legislation (S.6250), passed by the Senate in June, sponsored by Senator John Flanagan (R-C, East Northport), that would require the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to obtain proof from any applicant for a drivers license or nondriver identification card who cannot provide a social security number, that they are ineligible for a social security number. The Assembly did not act on this bill.

Senator John Flanagan (R-C-I, East Northport) said: "In June, I sponsored a bill, passed by the Senate, which would have strengthened the identification requirements for obtaining driver's licenses and permanently established this important regulation in state law. The Assembly failed to act on it. While the DMV is not responsible for enforcing immigration laws, New York State has a clear responsibility to ensure a very high standard to protect the legitimacy of drivers licenses. The legislation I introduced would protect the public from dishonest individuals trying to unlawfully obtain valid identification and provide legal New Yorkers with a measure of certainty about the process."

Earlier this week, Senator Vincent Leibell (R-C-I, Patterson), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security, raised the possibility of a potential lawsuit to stop the Governor's policy, saying "We are examining our full array of options, including passing legislation, holding public hearings and the commencement of litigation, to enjoin his attempt to put all our citizens at risk. Before this action taken by the Governor, New York State was the national benchmark for assuring the security and reliability of its drivers licenses. A drivers license is the most important, uniformly recognized identification document used in the United States. This action of the Governor would seriously place every New Yorker at risk and dramatically compromise our security."

"The Governor's demand that clerks issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens is yet another example of the Governor's arrogance and his attempt to go around the Legislature and bypass 212 elected representatives of the people," Senator Bruno said. "The Governor has said publicly that he doesn't need the Legislature and can run the state by himself. The drivers license order is another result of that dictatorial attitude."

Senator Bruno also criticized Governor Spitzer for his angry attack on New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. "The Mayor simply raised concerns and questioned the Governor's order regarding drivers licenses. By doing so, Mayor Bloomberg became the latest target of Governor Spitzer's temper, when the Governor delivered an unnecessarily strong and uncalled for attack on the Mayor over a basic difference on policy."

Many members of the Senate Majority Conference have spoken out against the Governor�s plan.

Senator Martin Golden (R-C, Brooklyn) said: "A drivers license is not an entitlement and is the most important document issued in the establishment of one�s identity. The integrity of this document must be maintained to the highest standards. Attempts by Governor Spitzer to relax the requirements endangers all New Yorkers and all Americans, making it easier for terrorists and illegal immigrants to obtain identification and access to services that, without a license, would be off limits. Thousands of lives have been lost because of such a lapse in the law and the Governor�s policy is frightening and immediate legislative action must be taken to stop it."

Senator Golden highlighted the fact that the terrorists involved in the attacks of September 11, 2001 used drivers licenses to obtain entry aboard the planes as well as to rent apartments. Terrorists used drivers licenses to rent trucks used to carry out the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.

Senator Dale Volker (R-C-I, DePew) said: "To outright dismiss the security needs of our state and nation and provide illegal aliens legal documentation is dangerous and inconceivable. Governor Spitzer should not view New York State drivers licenses like baseball cards--handing them out just to score political points. Are there more important issues facing New York than granting New York State drivers licenses to illegal aliens? When I talk to the constituents that I represent they mention job creation, lowering taxes, and making sure that they and their families can feel safe in their communities."

Senator Jim Seward (R-C-I, Oneonta) said: "The Governor's action, again trying an end run around the Legislature, would seriously place every New Yorker at risk and dramatically compromise our security. And it�s not fair to the thousands of legal immigrants who played by the rules and became part of our society legally."

Senator Hugh Farley (R-C, Schenectady) said: "In addition to placing all New Yorkers at risk, the Governor has imposed a new burden on law-abiding citizens. Since New York's licenses will not meet federal standards as a secure means of identification, citizens will have to provide another form of identification, such as a passport, for federal purposes such as air travel and access to federal facilities. I hope that the Governor will come to his senses and rescind this dangerous administrative directive. If he does not do so, I will join my Legislative colleagues in pursing all possible corrective actions including, if necessary, litigation."

Senator Steve Saland (R,I,C Poughkeepsie) said: "The tragic events of September 11, 2001, of which New York was at the epicenter, taught us that we must be vigilant in order to keep our State and country safe. The simple precaution of requiring a Social Security Number to prove one�s legal status in this country is a commonsense way of helping to prevent terrorists from obtaining one of the most routinely accepted forms of identification used in this country."

Senator William Larkin (R,C-Cornwall-on-Hudson) said: "We should listen to the 9/11 Families for a Secure America who are asking the few other states that give drivers licenses to illegals to alter their statutes so as to prohibit people who are not legally present in this country from getting licenses. Why is it necessary to keep illegal aliens from getting drivers� licenses? Because a drivers license is a terrorist�s tool."

Senator James Wright (R-C-I, Watertown) said: "These changes would also seriously jeopardize the security and reliability that a New York State drivers license is intended to provide. There are major safety concerns to consider with this new policy and a number of negative consequences."