I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Doug Turner blasted the REAL ID Act which could force New Mexicans to use a passport for domestic travel after the new year if the state is not granted an extension. This is because New Mexico drivers licenses would not reach the standards of the REAL ID Act.
Turner, who was the campaign manager for libertarian governor Gary Johnson, wrote in an op-ed sent to media this afternoon, “you don’t have to read the newspaper every day to see that state autonomy in our country is waning.”
Turner compared the legislation to Soviet-era policies, writing, “Since our nation’s founding, we have never had special documentation or permission to cross state lines. It was the Soviet bloc nations where you had to have numerous papers, signatures and stamps in order to travel across state borders.” Turner admits however, that “it is a stretch to suggest that we are now living in a Neo-Soviet Union.”
Citing costs for passports, $130 after postage and photo fees Turner asks, “Who has this kind of money right now? Who really thinks all this aggravation will even make us one iota safer?”
Much of the op-ed isn’t about cost, however, but government intrusion. “Like all of the other government bills we are currently being forced to swallow, the REAL ID legislation trespasses on our personal freedom, privacy, states’ rights and is yet another increase to the cost of living,” Turner wrote.
I previously wrote about the REAL ID Act and background on it in a blog post earlier this week when Senators Jeff Bingaman and Tom Udall wrote letters to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napalitano. They asked that Napalitano issue an extension, a request originally made by the Director of the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division in November.
The New Mexico MVD has information on the REAL ID Act and the potential effects on New Mexicans on its Web site.
