Governor Jim Douglas and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff exchanged smiles and handshakes after signing a memorandum of agreement which makes Vermont the second state to implement an enhanced driver's license program.
"We're convinced that implementing the enhanced driver's license initiative will be much less expensive than that real ID program so it'll save the taxpayers money and be very cost effective for individuals too," said Douglas.
The enhanced drivers license, or EDL, contains a radio chip that can be swiped by border agents at crossings. Agents would then have access to information about that person's identity and citizenship.
Chertoff says EDLs are the answer to concerns about new regulations that would require U.S. citizens to carry a passport every time they want to cross North American borders.
"Because we are very sensitive about not wanting to impede the flow of travel and trade that is very much a part of the economic fabric of Vermont and the border states."
The program will cost the state $1.5 million to implement. That money will come directly from the Department of Motor Vehicles' budget.
"We'll find it in there and we'll work with the administration and legislature to find that money," said Vermont Transportation Secretary, Neale Lunderville.
Lunderville said the federal government has not offered to help pay for the program, but that the state is looking into the possibility of requesting money.
But the Vermont Democratic Party says that's entirely too much money to spend on a program that still has so many lingering questions.
"This may well be a good program but until Jim Douglas actually hunkers down and answers these questions and clarifies what it means to Vermonters, we shouldn't move forward with anything," said Ian Carleton, chair of the Vermont Democratic Party.
What wasn't answered Wednesday is when the EDLs will be available. The state hopes to have them ready sometime next year but no definite date has been set. The Department of Homeland Security initially planned to set a June deadline to enact the passport requirements, but Chertoff said Wednesday that deadline is flexible.
Vermont residents will have the option of getting a normal license, or an enhanced license. The EDL will cost $15 to $20 more than the normal license. Bianca Slota - WCAX News
Posted by: PearlOnyx
Vermont seems to behind the times a bit. Their current DL's if I remember correctly are terribly unsecure, and when you run a plate basically no information comes back. Not super helpful.
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