April 21, 2008

Senator Lamar Alexander to Highlight Importance of State-Federal Partnership

Tennessee senator shares states concerns over REAL ID cost, implementation

WASHINGTON – As a former governor, Senator Lamar Alexander, chair of the Republican Senate Conference, understands federalism issues from both the state and federal perspectives. Underscoring the importance of fostering the state-federal relationship, Sen. Alexander will deliver a keynote address at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ annual Spring Forum on 4 p.m., Thursday, April 24 at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

State legislators from across the country will be in Washington, DC, to hear Sen. Alexander discuss the importance of working collaboratively to address the nation’s most pressing issues. Among those, Sen. Alexander will highlight REAL ID and his anticipated amendment that would halt the $4 billion program.

“I don’t think the states should be required to implement the Real ID law until Congress demonstrates that it is willing to reimburse the states for the cost of this mandate,” Sen. Alexander said. “I think it is inappropriate for Congress to create a de facto national identification card without the Senate even holding a hearing because it would seek to impose huge amounts of costs on state governments.”

The Real ID Act, which sets minimum national standards for state driver’s licenses as part of an effort to deter terrorists from easily obtaining identification, passed Congress in 2005 without any Senate hearings. Senator Alexander plans to offer an amendment to the Homeland Security Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2009.

Sen. Alexander also will discuss Internet taxation, the Federal Consent Decrees Fairness Act, and flexibility in the No Child Left Behind Act. He serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee as well as the committees overseeing education, clean air, highways and the Tennessee Valley Authority.  As Chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, he is the third-ranking Republican in the U.S. Senate.

Members of the media are invited to attend. Media is asked to check in at the NCSL registration desk to obtain a press badge.

NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.

###