http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806220378

Missouri will test federal Real ID program

Driver’s licenses would have to meet national standard.

The Associated Press • June 22, 2008

Kansas City — Missouri will get $17 million to help develop and test
the Real ID program and will house a verification hub to help states
validate identification cards.

The federal Real ID Demonstration Grants were announced Friday by the
Homeland Security Department.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Revenue said the money will
help the state develop and test a national “verification hub,” a key
factor in allowing states to validate licenses and identification
cards.

“We would be a single access point for different states,” said David
Griffith, spokesman for the Missouri Department of Revenue. “Missouri
is in the position to improve security for all state driver’s
licenses.”

The Bush administration says Real ID’s requirement for more secure
identification will hinder terrorists and illegal immigrants.

Under Real ID, states would have to bring their driver’s licenses
under a national standard and link their license record-keeping
systems.

Implementation of Real ID would require the public to show need Real
ID-compliant driver’s licenses or other identification in order to
enter federal buildings or board airplanes.

But some states have viewed the act as an unfunded mandate, and
critics say it’s a violation of privacy for the government to have
access to so much information. In some states, residents have staged
protests condemning the Real ID Act.

Missouri Rep. Jim Guest, a King City Republican, has been a vocal
opponent of Real ID.

“I would oppose that even if they fund it,” he said Friday. “I don’t
think you can put a price on your privacy. This nation is at a
crossroads right now, and if we go down the road and lose more
freedoms, we’ll never get them back.”

Each of the 48 states that applied for federal grants to assist with
the program will get some funding.

While Missouri is set to lead the development of the “verification
hub,” four other states will also be instrumental, Homeland Security
officials said in a news release.

Florida, Indiana, Nevada and Wisconsin will each receive $1.2 million
to partner with Missouri for the hub testing and implementation.

Eventually, other states and territories will connect to the
verification hub and have the capability to verify applicants’ source
documents.