HERE & THERE COLUMN

Clerks May Not Issue Licenses

 

  We have to stop and think do our Albany politicians have nothing more to do than pass legislation giving illegal immigrants driver's licenses.

  Surely there are more pressing issues of importance.

  New York State Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy in a statement said the bill was one of several measures demonstrating the state's Democrats, "are in lockstep with leftist radicals and could care less about the priorities of taxpaying New Yorkers."

  It doesn't sound 100% clear that there may not be some bumps in the road for this legislation as some upstate county clerks are taking a stand against the new law.

  Clerks in Erie, Rensselaer, Niagara and Allegany counties have said they won't be handing out the licenses, despite the legislation.

  Erie County Clerk Michael Kerns said he believes the Green Light Bill conflicts with federal policy and is ready to go to court with his concerns.  

  "In the memo of the bill, they talk about the reason whe they're passing this bill is to make sure that people who are here illegally can get to and from work," Kearns said.

  Kerns added, "It is illegal to hire people in the state of New York or anywhere that are here illegally so there is severe inconsistency here."

  The county clerk said he knows the governor can strip him of his position but that will surely stir the already boiling political pot.

  In recent comments at the Sullivan County Conservative Party dinner state Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kasser said, "Albany is not the Albany I know from years back and it's not about the Democratic Party it's all about certain people in the Democratic party," and "Albany right now has too many people that do not take the time to understand you and they suffer from not having any moral compass."