Saturday, October 4, 2008

Cedillo still working on Driver's License Bill in California

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Cedillo Vows to try Driver's License Bill Again
October 3, 2008

With State Senator Gilbert Cedillo of Los Angeles, the old proverb should be: "If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try, try, try, try, again."

The Democrat from Los Angeles saw his proposal to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants vetoed this week for the fifth time since 1999. It was also repealed once after passing the Legislature.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in his veto message that he could not sign such a bill until Congress adopts a comprehensive immigration reform plan and a method is found to validate the identity of undocumented immigrants.

But showing the persistence that have some calling him "One Bill Gil," Cedillo vows to be back with the legislation next year as well.

"After almost ten years of debating this issue there is one thing we all have consensus on -- all drivers should be trained, tested, licensed, and insured,'' Cedillo said.

At least one of Cedillo’s colleagues has decided to drop efforts to pass legislation that was vetoed for a second time this week.

Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) was crushed after the governor vetoed legislation to create a cargo container fee to reduce air pollution in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

"Lowenthal has no intention of reintroducing the legislation next year," his office said in a statement. Perhaps Lowenthal is taking a cue from the late comedian W.C. Fields, who famously said, "If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then quit. No use being a damn fool about it."

-- Patrick McGreevy

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/816965/34125563

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