March 2nd, 2007
DE: More money needed to comply with Real ID
Even with the new extensions and funding for Real ID, Delaware will have a hard time meeting the law's requirements, some state officials say, according to the (DE) News Journal.
For one thing, the federal government hasn't actually released any new money. Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff has merely approved the use of about $20 million in DHS grants to the states for Real ID use. It's estimated it will cost states $11 billion to create the new cards.
If a state refuses to meet the deadlines of producing a card that includes a standard RFID chip with personal data about the holder, the state's driver's licenses would not get holders onto airplanes or in federal buildings.
"We need additional, separate federal funding to implement this law," Gov. Ruth Ann Minner said.
