Finally some opposition to Real ID in PA

[josh]

This was brought to my attention By Mik Robertson. It is about time PA gets with the program. New HAmpshire and a few other states have already told the feds where they can stick Real ID. The following is an exerpt from an email MIk.

"Speaking of REAL, there is a bill currently in the PA senate Communication and Technology Committee, SB 1220 sponsored by Sen. Folmer, that would reject the federally-mandated REAL ID Act of 2005. The REAL ID act would turn a drivers license into a national ID card, with information being controlled by the federal government. Links to Sen Folmer's press release on this bill and to Rep Rohrer's weaker HB 1351 are below:

www.samrohrer.com/?sectionid=17§iontree=17&itemid=217
www.senatorfolmer.com/press-2007/1107/111407.htm

[josh]

Newest update from Mik.

Date: Jan 14, 2008 11:05 PM
Subject: FW: Real ID UPdate -- Pennsylvania

I’m here at the state capitol with the National Veterans Committee on Constitutional Affairs (NVCCA), seeing what we can do to push for a hearing on either the Senate bill (S.B. 1220) or House bill (H.B. 1351) to reject Real ID for the state of P.A. Fully 10 private citizens showed up today to help, and it was fast-paced all day long on this first day back to work for the Assembly after their holiday break.

The Senate Bill is being held by the Communications and Technology Committee, which is headed up by Senator Robert Wonderling. As of yet, Wonderling is not co-sponsoring the bill, however six out of eleven of his committee members are (Senators Constance Williams, Edwin Erickson, Bob Regola, Vincent Fumo, Leanna Washington, and John Wozniak – who just came on today!)

NOTE: This means we HAVE THE VOTES TO PASS THIS BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE, AS SOON AS WE CAN GET A HEARING!

Also co-sponsoring the bill are Senators Mike Folmer, Shirley Kitchen, Robert Robbins, Robert Mellow, Jim Ferlo, Jane Orie, Lisa Boscola, Gerald Lavalle, Vincent Hughes, and Jane Earll.

Senators on the Communications and Technology Committee not yet supporting the bill include:
Senators Robert Wonderling [phone] (Chairman)
John Gordner [phone]
Joseph Scarnati [phone]
Lisa Baker [phone]
and John Eichelberger. [phone]

If any of these Senators are representing your district, please call them and encourage them to sign on as co-sponsors, or if your representing Senator is already signed on, call them and ask for a press release. (This helps get the word out into newspapers/media where we can’t break through.) A total of 16 Senators are sponsoring this bill. (32% of the full Senate!)

The House Bill is being held by the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, which is headed up by Representative Thomas Curtis. Representatives co-sponsoring this bill include:
Rep. Sam Rohrer, Babette Josephs, Robert Belfanti, Thomas Caltatgirone, Mike Carroll, Mark Cohen, Tom Creighton, Bryan Cutler, Gordon Denlinger, William DeWeese, Jaret Gibbons, Mauree Gingrich, Kate Harper, John Hornaman, Harold James, Rob Kaffman, Bill Kortz, Nick Kotik, Daylin Leach, Kathy Manderino, Carl Mantz, Duane Milne, Phillis Mundy, Jerry Nailor, Steven Nickol, Joseph Petrarca, Kathy Rapp, Douglas Reichley, Brad Roae, Chris Ross, John Siptroth, David Steil, Dan Surra, Rose Marie Swanger, Don Walko, Florindo Fabrizio, John Pallone, Jim Cox, Bob Mensch, Curtis Thomas, Lisa Benninghoff, Neal Goodman, Paul Clymer, Tim Mahoney, Edward Wonjnaroski, Camille George, Mark Keller Scott Hutchinson, Bob Bastian, Ronald Buxton, John Myers, Lawrence Curry, Julie Harhart, Thomas Petrone, Todd Rock, Michael O’Brien, Gene DiGirolamo, Mark Longietti, Richard Stevenson, Brian Ellis, Merle Phillips, Karen Beyer, Thomas Yewcic, Mike Fleck, Russ Fairchild, Mario Scavello, and Richard Grucela.

There are a total of 67 co-sponsors in the House. (33% of the house!)

NEW STRATEGY!
Currently we are speaking with members of the Appropriations Committee to get co-sponsors, BUT ALSO TO CUT OFF FUNDING for Real ID. Members of the Appropriations Committee who are not co-sponsoring include:

Representatives Dwight Evans [phone]
William Keller [phone]
Josh Shapiro [phone]
Kathy Manderino [phone]
Michael McGeehan [phone]
Greg Vitali [phone]
Mario Civera [phone]
Craig Dally [phone]
Stephen Barrar [phone]
Steven Cappelli [phone]
Fred McIlhattan [phone]
Katie True [phone]
Scott Conklin [phone]
Dan Frankel [phone]
John Galloway [phone]
Thaddeus Kirkland [phone]
Bryan Lentz [phone]
Tim Mahoney [phone]
John Myers [phone]
Cherelle Parker [phone]
Sean Ramaley [phone]
Dante Santoni [phone]
John Siptroth [phone]
Matthew Smith [phone]
Don Walko [phone]
Gordon Denlinger [phone]
Brian Ellis [phone]
David Millard [phone]
Ron Miller [phone]
Scott Petri [phone]
Dave Reed [phone]
Douglas Reichley [phone]

Call them and ask them to co-sponsor HB 1351, and ESPECIALLY to review CAREFULLY the upcoming budget proposal and REPEAL ANY FUNDING TO PENNDOT that moves forward ANY funding for Real ID compliance!!!

From Harrisburg,