Join Gardner as he speaks with Jenn Coffey of Granite State ID, to discuss this bad turn...

Here is the press release from Granite State ID:

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Gov. Lynch Tells Federal Government to Not Impose Real ID Requirements on NH
in May

CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch today sent a letter to Department of Homeland
Security Secretary Michael Chertoff urging him not impose Real ID
requirements on New Hampshire citizens beginning in May.

Last year, Gov. Lynch signed legislation prohibiting the New Hampshire from
participating in the federal Real ID system. The House approved the
legislation 268-9, and the Senate unanimously supported it.

"New Hampshire and many other states across the nation have raised
legitimate questions about privacy protection and the costs of Real ID. To
date, the federal government has ignored those real problems and barreled
ahead with Real ID," Gov. Lynch said. "We have a law that prohibits New
Hampshire from taking part in this burdensome system and New Hampshire was
right to reject it.

"Until the federal government can address our concerns regarding Real ID,
including the cost, the impact on the privacy of our citizens and the burden
it will place on state government employees, it should not impose the Real
ID requirements on New Hampshire citizens," Gov. Lynch said.

The Department of Homeland Security informed the states that beginning May
11, the states either had to have driver's licenses in compliance with the
federal Real ID requirements, or request an extension. Otherwise, that
state's residents would be forced to show federally issued identification,
such as a passport, before entering federally controlled buildings or
boarding a plane.

A copy of Gov. Lynch's letter to Secretary Chertoff is attached.

# # #

February 25, 2008

The Honorable Michael Chertoff
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528

Re: Real ID Request Under 6 CFR Part 37.63

Dear Secretary Chertoff:

On behalf of the State of New Hampshire, pursuant to 6 CFR Part 37.63, I
request that New Hampshire driver's licenses continue to be acceptable as
identification by federal agencies for official purposes after May 11, 2008.

As you know, the State of New Hampshire adopted legislation prohibiting
participation in any driver's license program pursuant to the REAL ID Act of
2005 or in any national identification card system that may follow
therefrom. See 2007 N.H. Laws Chapter 243. This request is not an
indication of our state's intent to comply with the Real ID final rule.

We appreciate your attention to this matter.

Very truly yours,

John H. Lynch
Governor

Colin Manning
Press Secretary
Office of Gov. John Lynch
(603) 271-2121
colin.manning@nh.gov