By Mark Scott
Washington, DC – Governor Spitzer is dropping his plan to issue drivers licenses to illegal immigrants.
After meeting with New York's congressional delegation in Washington Wednesday morning, Spitzer said he's ditching his plan because of overwhelming public opposition. The governor said he listened to the legitimate concerns of the public before making his decision to abandon plan that has met stiff opposition across New York state.
"I continue to believe that my proposal would have improved an unsatisfactory situation," Spitzer said. "But I have listened to the legitimate concerns of the public and those who would be affected by my proposal, and have concluded that pushing forward unilaterally in the face of such strong opposition would be counterproductive."
Spitzer criticized the federal government for failing to deal with illegal immigration. He said that has forced state and local governments to do so.
"Indeed, a consequence of the federal failure is that Americans and New Yorkers are demanding a comprehensive solution," Spitzer continued. "Piecemeal reform, even if practical, is unacceptable. It fails to address the many important, competing interests and values. I underestimated that sentiment in putting forward this proposal."
Congressman Thomas Reynolds, a Republican from Clarence, said he's pleased with Spitzer's decision.
"While I agree with Governor Spitzer that our immigration system needs to be fixed, providing more benefits to illegal immigrants is not the answer to fixing it," Reynolds said. "Providing driver's licenses to illegal immigrants would have only exacerbated the current immigration system morass.
State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, a Democrat from Buffalo, said Spitzer was doing what he felt was right.
"While it takes a courageous leader to stand by an unpopular proposal that he believes in, it takes an even more courageous leader to admit that the timing may not be right and to recognize that the controversy is detracting from the other important work of state governance," Hoyt said.