Schwarzenegger Veto’s Illegal Driver’s Licenses

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday vetoed legislation that would have granted driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, saying that approving the measure into law could have undermined national security efforts.

The veto was expected and marked the second time Schwarzenegger has rejected such a bill.

“Enacting this bill will result in billions of dollars being spent on a process that ultimately could conflict with federal regulations,” he said in his veto message.

The bill’s author, Los Angeles Democrat Gil Cedillo, said the veto broke Schwarzenegger’s promise to sign a driver’s license bill. He also said the rejection jeopardizes the state’s preparation for increased federal security requirements for all driver’s licenses.

“He broke his promise to work out a resolution,” Cedillo said. “We’re committed to keeping America secure and our highways safe, and we’re committed to that regardless of what the political climate is.”

He said he would reintroduce the bill next year.

…Administration officials announced earlier that Schwarzenegger would veto the driver’s license bill, saying California should wait until federal officials completed work on regulations spelling out requirements for such licenses nationwide.

Schwarzenegger vetoed a similar bill last year, saying the licenses should have a different look than standard driver’s licenses.

The latest version was designed to satisfied those concerns and to give the Department of Motor Vehicles eight months after the federal regulations were enacted to begin issuing the licenses. Schwarzenegger said that wasn’t enough.

His veto was the latest setback for Cedillo, who has tried five times in the past seven years to get such a bill into state law.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday vetoed legislation that would have granted driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants, saying that approving the measure into law could have undermined national security efforts.