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Updated
October 29, 2007
‘ARISE’ SUPPORTS NEW DRIVER’S LICENSE REGS
Group says political battles are standing in the way of reform
By KYLE MILLER
Legislative Gazette Staff Writer
Tue, Oct 9, 2007An interfaith coalition of clergy members came out in support of Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s rule changes for driver’s licenses last Monday.
The members of A Regional Initiative Supporting Empowerment, or ARISE, a coalition of Protestant and Catholic churches, as well as community organizations and activist groups, urged the governor and Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno, R,C,I-Brunswick, to put aside their rivalry in order to address social problems.
“We’re concerned about the personal peak in partisan bickering that may have gotten in the way of being able to move forward on reform legislation that is so sorely needed in New York state,” said the Rev. Stan Skinner, the co-chair of ARISE’s clergy caucus. “As faith leaders in the prophetic tradition, we can no longer stand by as human needs are neglected by those in power.”
The ARISE members unanimously expressed approval of Spitzer’s rule changes, which would allow a passport to function as identification for getting a New York driver’s license and would make it much easier for immigrants to get a license in the state.
“This policy is good for families who need breadwinners with access to jobs, good for the economy, good for road safety and good for homeland security,” said ARISE President Dick Dana.
The members were also critical of the backlash against Spitzer’s reversal of the existing policy requiring license applicants to have a Social Security number, particularly Schenectady Republican Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco’s accusation that it would invite future terrorist attacks in the state.
“When people in power make unfair and outrageous insinuations about ‘illegals’ and ‘terrorists,’ virtually equating the millions of New York state immigrant residents with criminals and killers, a moral line has been crossed,” said Alethia Jones, of ARISE’s civil rights and immigrants task force.
Tedisco was outraged by the remarks made at his expense. “They are attempting to deflect the discussion from the safety and security of all New Yorkers and voter fraud to a debate on race and religion,” he said in a statement made shortly after an ARISE press conference. “I am saddened that the governor and his supporters would play the race card in this manner.”
During their presentation, ARISE members also addressed the issue of affordable housing around the state. The Rev. Gary Mercure of Sacred Heart/St. William’s Church in Troy cited the success of Albany County Executive Michael Breslin, who set up a housing trust fund that mushroomed to $8 million and funded 60 affordable units in Albany County.
“Dear to everyone’s heart is knowing that each person has the dignity within themselves to have a good place to live,” said Mercure. “ARISE would like to applaud the Albany County executive.”
Breslin was honored the following evening at ARISE’s annual action meeting in Troy. There the group announced it is calling for an earmarked revenue source to support the Albany County Housing Trust Fund in the future and establish similar funds in nearby Rensselaer and Schenectady Counties, with the ultimate goal of establishing a statewide housing trust fund. Urban consultant and ARISE ally David Rusk is scheduled to meet with Spitzer on Friday to discuss housing and planning initiatives.
“We hope that this spreads to every county in the state,” said Mercure at the conference.
As to the proposed special session legislative leaders have called for the week of Oct. 22, Skinner said he is optimistic state lawmakers might be getting back on track.
“I think it keeps the focus on what we need to get done,” he said. “Let’s get back to the people’s business instead of trading barbs.”
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