Is this a sign of a backtrack?
--DPS withdraws request for AG's opinion on checkpoints
By JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle
Nov. 14, 2008, 6:24PM
AUSTIN — The Department of Public Safety is backing away from plans to set up statewide driver's license checkpoints in the face of strong opposition from a group of state lawmakers.
Public Safety Commission Chairman Allan Polunsky said Friday he wants to withdraw a request for an attorney general's opinion on whether it would be legal for the commission to set up random checkpoints on state highways.
Several legislators said they suspected the checkpoints would be used to crack down on illegal immigrants. The commission in late August issued new rules requiring applicants to prove they are here legally.
Fifteen lawmakers had asked Attorney General Greg Abbott to ignore the request.
One of the lawmakers, Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon, D-San Antonio, said she believed the commission was after illegal immigrants instead of drunk drivers.
''A state agency is making immigration policy for the state of Texas, and that is not their job,'' McClendon said...more
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