HOUSE HAPPENINGS

by Representative Jim Whorton

I’m sure that each of us has experienced many disappointments in our lifetime. Some of us who are older have had lots of them. Some of us may even believe we’ve had more than our share. No matter what we think, there will always be more. Every now and then, we have to hitch up our pants, tighten our belts and suffer another disappointment, and sometimes we can’t even comprehend the legitimacy of the situation.

I suffered such a disappointment about mid-morning Feb. 15 at our Capitol in Jefferson City. A colleague of mine, who serves on the House Transportation Committee, informed me about results from executive session, whereby he learned that HB 976 is unlikely to be considered for passage.

Following our conversation I engaged the committee chairman for further details. He confirmed to me that there were many concerns expressed about the bill by the Department of Revenue (DOR), the Governor’s office and even some “of the feds”; also, that he was still doing what he could on my behalf, but passage is very questionable. The governmental process is supposed to be that all legislation is developed in the General Assembly. There was no opposition to the bill at the public hearing and the process should continue on its own merits. The executive branch has the option of “veto” on any bill; consequently, those pressures should not exist on the committee chairman.

Now that I hopefully have your attention, let’s review why I am so emotionally disappointed. HB 976 relates to documentation required for driver’s license renewal. Several of you have gone through the renewal process since last July when our DOR placed new policies in effect. The rest of you, I wish you good luck! Unless you can place your hands on your original raised seal, embossed birth certificate. New policies by the DOR are said to be for your own protection, in the name of homeland security. HB 976 was an attempt to ease the burden on a special segment of our population; military veterans. Individuals who have stepped forward, served our country in uniform, literally risked their life for everyone’s freedom, should hardly be considered a risk for homeland security in Missouri. Those of us who have served have our discharge document—DD 214. Some who are older received a WD AGO Form 53-55. Both documents list a good deal of information: name, date of birth, place of birth, county of birth, permanent address, selective service board—believe me those folks know plenty about each of us. My point is that those documents should be accepted in lieu of a birth certificate and I simply cannot accept or respect the opinion of certain public officials that those forms are not warranted to show “lawful presence” in Missouri. I have co-sponsored legislation to hopefully assist other groups such as: allowing those over age 65 to be recognized as “lawfully present” simply with renewal of their current license. A higher percentage of those over age 65 do not have a type of birth certificate acceptable to the DOR, or may not even have one at all. Yes, I realize some are younger and also do not have a certificate, but I have to work first with groups on whose behalf I can get possible acceptance.

My personal opinion is that this entire issue should be DROPPED. Homeland Security is important; however, crooks will always be able to obtain forged documents if they are necessary and this program is merely causing heartache and unnecessary expense to all of our citizens along with lots of undue stress on county license bureau personnel. I also believe that this is a “lead in” to voter restrictions. We already have a “Voter ID Card”, but soon, that will also be unacceptable. Legislation is underway to require a “state issued picture ID card” in order to “vote.” There are a few hundred thousand senior Missourians who do not even have a driver’s license. They will individually now be forced to go through this same harassment before regaining the “right to vote.” Have any more of you begun to feel you’ve had enough yet? I asked you about a year ago to say: I’m mad as _ _ _ _ and I’m not gonna take it any more! For those of you who are as upset about the driver’s license issue as I am, let your voice be heard. The DOR will not have a relationship with the ID program for voting requirements; however, the Governor’s office will along with bill sponsor Senator Delbert Scott and co-sponsor Senator Michael Gibbons.