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HELP THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF TEXAS DEFEAT SB 9
Stop Real ID in Texas
Senate Bill 9 will be heard by the Texas House's Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee on Tuesday, May 10. The Libertarian Party of Texas opposes SB 9, which would bring Texas into compliance with the unconstitutional and unfunded federal Real ID Act of 2005.
The Real ID Act calls for national standards for state-issued driver licenses and non-driver identification cards, supposedly for securing national borders and protecting against terrorism. It would nationalize driver licenses, effectively turning them into national ID cards, which would be required to fly on commercial airlines, enter government buildings and open bank accounts, to name a few. Many states have passed resolutions or binding legislation to not participate in the program, and many bills introduced in Congress have called for its repeal.
SB 9 would result in Texas's participation in this controversial program. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) would be empowered to collect and maintain sensitive biometric information on Texans. To counter the necessary increase in spending for implementation, SB 9 calls for a fee-based driver license system. The Libertarian Party of Texas opposes SB 9 for these reasons:
- It is invasive and furthers America's evolution into a "surveillance state" with more power to monitor its citizens - a direct violation of the Constitution
- The private sector has the potential to exploit SB 9 to collect data on customers
- A single database of sensitive information puts Texans at higher risk for identity theft
- It is ineffective to fight terrorism, as fraudulent identity cards can easily be obtained
- It will be a huge financial burden on the Texas state government
You can get involved and help us stop this bill, which has already passed the Texas Senate!
Monday, May 9 - Lobby Day
The Libertarian Party of Texas encourages its members to voice opposition to SB 9 by contacting members of the House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee. If you live in the Austin area or are able to be in Austin on May 9, we encourage you to visit these members' offices and register your opposition.
You may also email these committee members by visiting their member pages at www.house.state.tx.us/. Names, phone numbers and Capitol offices for committee members are:
Rep. Sid Miller - Committee Chair - 512-463-0628 - CAP GN.11
Rep. Allen Fletcher - Vice-Chair - 512-463-0661 - E2.906
Rep. Marva Beck - 512-463-0508 - E1.310
Rep. Lon Burnam - 512-463-0740 - CAP GW.8
Rep. Joe Driver - 512-463-0574 - CAP 1N.10
Rep. Dan Flynn - 512-463-0880 - CAP GN.10
Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway - 512-463-0064 - E2.420
Rep. Aaron Pena - 512-463-0426 - E1.304
Rep. Armando Walle - 512-463-0924 - E1.220
Tuesday, May 10 - House Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee
8:30 a.m.
Texas Capitol Room E2.026
The Libertarian Party of Texas invites all libertarians to join us at the committee hearing on Tuesday and complete a "Witness Affirmation Form."
If you would like more information about SB 9, please watch the testimony given by Texas DPS Director Steven McCraw at the Senate Transportation & Homeland Security meeting on March 30: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/?yr=2011&lim=200.
McCraw's testimony begins approximately 50 minutes into the video.
"Brings Texas into compliance with REAL ID" (0:53:00)
Collection of Biometrics (1:01:30)
"REAL ID Act requires a number of measures. We're at 18; there are 39 requirements." (1:08:40)
"Nationalizes our Texas driver licenses" (1:15:30)
As always, thank you for your support of the Libertarian Party of Texas. Together, we can successfully work to effect libertarian principles in our society.
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