PRESS RELEASE

JOSEPH RUGGIERO OPPOSES SPITZER'S LICENSING PLAN
(October 29 2007, Hyde Park, New York)

Wappinger Democratic Town Supervisor and candidate for County Executive Joseph Ruggiero today criticized Governor Eliot Spitzer's recent decision to provide driver's licenses to persons without valid and verifiable social security numbers.

"This is not just about immigration. It is not just about national security. It is about the law and equal treatment for all people under the law," Ruggiero said. "The driver's license is the one universally acceptable form of personal identification and key to this universal acceptance is the social security number requirement for obtaining a license. Any weakening of the requirements for obtaining a driving license could create doubts about the authenticity of the document itself."

"I am also concerned about Governor Spitzer's recent agreement with the Department of Homeland Security that would allow for the issuing of multiple forms of identification. This is a matter that should involve consultation with the State legislature and not be announced as a unilaterally negotiated agreement by the Governor."

Ruggiero further stated that he "agreed with many of Governor Spitzer's intended reforms of the state bureaucracy, but on this issue of social security identification for driver's licenses I must disagree with the Governor and oppose his plan."



Joseph Ruggiero for County Executive
PO Box 294
Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
(845) 233-1199

Copyright 2007 Joe Ruggiero for Dutchess County Executive

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