California Democrats consider governor's driver license demand

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger demanded Wednesday that Democrats concede to a different-colored document to identify the holder as "foreigner" or "immigrant" in return for his signature on any legislation that would allow those here illegally to obtain driver licenses. The governor's forceful edict comes just as leading Democrats on the issue appeared to be edging apart on whether to acquiesce. Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, seems to favor delivering a bill that satisfies the governor. But Sen. Gil Cedillo, a Los Angeles Democrat who has made the issue a crusade, is reluctant to give in since the issue was not a decisive factor in any legislative race this year. Schwarzenegger recently vetoed legislation that would have cleared the way for up to 2 million illegal immigrants to obtain driver licenses if they provided adequate identification and passed background checks, among other requirements. The Republican governor said the bill lacked safeguards to prevent fraud. Undeterred, Cedillo pledged to introduce a similar measure on the first day of the new legislative session, Dec. 6. The measure's final form likely will not be settled until after additional talks with the governor. The governor's demand for some mark to distinguish license holders remains a stubborn obstacle. [more]