Assembly Republicans force vote on Governor's driver's license plan

One controversial topic dominates Albany Monday night as the New York State Legislature prepares to go back in session Tuesday. Assembly Republicans want to stop Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants.

The Assembly Republicans held a rally urging Democrat Majority members to vote on the Governor's driver's license plan.

"If this Governor gets this wrong, people are going to die. If that happens, their blood will be on his hands. This is all about security. We have to remember this is a post 9/11 environment. This is creating a huge loophole not only for illegal aliens, but for terrorists and that's the problem here," said Assemblyman Greg Ball, (R) 99th District.

Assembly Republicans are forcing a vote on two bills. One is the County Clerk's Protection Act, a measure that defends county clerks who refuse to implement Spitzer's plan by preventing him from removing any clerk from office. The second bill requires all applicants to provide proof of age, identity and a social security number in order to get a driver's license.

Monroe County Clerk Cheryl Dinolfo was in Albany Monday to support the push against Spitzer.

"We're very, very concerned about this plan, very concerned about the ramifications not only for New Yorkers, but for the entire country," said Dinolfo.

As it stands now, the license roll-out would happen in two phases. In December, driver's licenses would be issued to about 152,000 New Yorkers who at one point had a license. Then in April, the rest of the population would be offered the same option.

Assembly Republicans say Governor Spitzer has until the end of the month to rescind his plan or they'll see him in court.

Governor Spitzer and many Assembly Democrats agree it is a security issue. The new driver's license plan would keep tabs on the millions of illegal immigrants already in this country.