Rep. Peggy Scott
Rep. Carlos Mariani
A working group at the State Capitol is debating how to make Minnesota drivers licenses comply with federal REAL ID requirements, to avoid a possible situation where Minnesotans couldn’t use their current I-D to board domestic flights. Republican Representative Peggy Scott says the first step is to repeal a 2009 law that not only prohibits REAL ID in Minnesota but also prevents state agencies from even giving lawmakers information on options. Scott says legislators’ hands are tied until they repeal that law. But Democratic Representative Carlos Mariani notes the REAL ID ban is in state law because of concerns that the federal government could get too much information about Minnesotans. Mariani says any move to just “kick this can down the road” won’t get enough votes to pass. Governor Mark Dayton wants the issue dealt with immediately in a special session but Republicans argue it can wait.