New York State Assemblyman Rob Walker (R, C, I, WF - Hicksville) is gathering signatures for a statewide petition against Governor Eliot Spitzer's plan to begin issuing driver's licenses to illegal aliens. The governor's executive order will have the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and county clerks begin issuing the driver's licenses on Nov. 1.

"If you would like to sign a petition or circulate one in your community, please visit or call my district office," said Walker. "My staff will have petitions on hand for you to sign or circulate in your neighborhood or they can email you a copy. Governor Spitzer's plan is a direct security risk for New Yorkers and the nation as a whole; help me send him a message - that we are not in favor of this policy and it should not be implemented."

Walker added, "New Yorkers know the importance of maintaining the integrity and security of our identification documents. Post September 11, 2001, news reports detailed how hijackers were able to board planes using their driver's licenses or state-issued identification. New York took steps to close this security gap, but with this order, Governor Spitzer has taken a step backward. In this post September 11 world, we simply cannot take chances with important identification and security documents."

In addition to being a dangerous policy, Walker stated that the governor's change has been cited as potentially being costly to state taxpayers, a threat to the integrity of voter registration and even illegal. The governor is attempting to change state policy without consulting elected representatives or holding public hearing, Walker said.

If the plan is allowed to be implemented, the governor and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles would be in direct violation of state law, which requires a Social Security number be provided to obtain a driver's license (Section 502, subsection 1 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law). State law can only be changed by following constitutional guidelines, legislation passed in both houses and signed by the governor.

"If you are strongly opposed to this dangerous change in policy, join me in urging the governor to reconsider and rescind this action by signing my petition," said Walker. "Send me an email at walkerr2@assembly.state.ny.us and my staff will send you a petition. You can call my district office at 937-3571 or stop by to obtain a petition. My district office is located at 111 Levittown Parkway."