With Dayton And Daudt Frustrated, Hopes Of A Special Session Fade
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Gov. Mark raised the heat and the rhetoric Wednesday on top Republican leaders.
He renewed his call for a special session in order to create a new, high security driver's license. The governor told Republicans to "get real about Real ID."
Minnesota is one of a handful of states that has not complied with a federal government requirement after 9/11 to enhance security at airports and federal buildings.
Without the new, high security, tamper-proof driver's licenses, Minnesotans someday won't be able to board airplanes or enter federal buildings.
Dayton accused Republican leaders of "dragging their feet" on Real ID, and says lawmakers need to meet soon to change a Minnesota law forbidding state officials from even talking to the feds about changing it.
"I'm trying to be careful not to frighten people," the governor said. "As far as we know, everybody will be able to get on an airplane, a commercial airplane, for the foreseeable future. As far as we know, they will have access to federal buildings."
A special legislative session would include not only Real ID.
Democrats want to extend unemployment benefits for laid-off steelworkers in the Iron Range as they begin to expire.
Dayton also wants to address what he says are economic disparities among minority groups.
"The governor is looking for somebody to blame," said Rep. Kurt Daudt, the Republican House Speaker, "and he should be looking in the mirror."
An irritated Daudt said Wednesday that the Democratic governor is missing in action, and that despite a special session wish list, has not actually proposed anything in writing.
"He's great at talking to the cameras, but hasn't done one thing," Daudt said. "And I'm not just talking about the governor, his entire administration hasn't done a single thing to get ready for a special session."
Republicans say they are willing to meet right away to repeal the law forbidding Real ID discussions.
But what's also important to know is the feds say they will give 120 days notice before imposing Real ID.
That gives officials in Minnesota more breathing room.
So far, there isn't an exact date when Real ID will be imposed. However, it'll likely happen this year.