The controversial Real ID system recently passed by the federal government was essentially, a federal ID system, regardless of wha they say. The system would force all the states to modify their own drivers' licensing systems, computers and all, to reach a federal standard. The bill was passed without any form of funding at all and most states were worried at the time they wouldn't be able to fund such issues.

Reports are coming in about the costs among the various states and they just can't afford. Security guru Bruce Schneier recently referred to an AP story on his blog about some of those costs:

Pennsylvania alone estimated a hit of up to $85 million. Washington state projected at least $46 million annually in the first several years.

Separately, a December report to Virginia's governor pegged the potential price tag for that state as high as $169 million, with $63 million annually in successive years. Of the initial cost, $33 million would be just to redesign computing systems.

So we look at this logically. The federal government passes a mandate on the states can't afford and the federal government won't fund. While this thing is a violation of civil liberties, I agree with not funding...ever. Thoughts?



Technorati Tags: RealIDPrivacyRights, Congress

Technorati Tags: RealIDPrivacyRights, Congress

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