Costly veto of driver’s license bill

It saddens me to complain of the governor’s overreach in vetoing the bill to bring Kentucky into compliance with the Real ID Act. Kentucky has been granted several extensions by the federal government, and without these extensions, Kentucky residents would have to have a passport to board an airliner.

When the final extension was granted, non-compliant states were urged to act quickly to modify their identification documents.

Gov. Matt Bevin vetoed this legislation based on opposition by unnamed Tea Party members. This foolish action affects all Kentuckians who must travel by air. It amounts to a tax of $150 (passport fee) on each. At some point, when Kentuckians are turned away from airports, Bevin will have to justify his actions to the people, who will decide whether or not to remove him at the ballot box.

The legislation, while not perfect, did allow residents to opt in or out of the new licenses.

Since it will take time to set up this system, it is important that the legislation be implemented so Kentuckians can travel freely, without the need for a passport, in our own country. Our only hope now is that Bevin’s failure to timely deliver the vetos to the secretary of state will result in a court ruling voiding them.

This story was originally published May 20, 2016 at 7:28 PM with the headline "Costly veto of driver’s license bill."