On October 7, 2007, the conservative group Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit on behalf of a New York taxpayer in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Suffolk County, challenging New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's change to the state driver's license policy. Under the policy change, the state ...
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On October 7, 2007, the conservative group Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit on behalf of a New York taxpayer in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Suffolk County, challenging New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's change to the state driver's license policy. Under the policy change, the state intended to dispense with the requirement that a driver's license applicant provide a valid social security number in order to receive a license. The policy, which was heralded as giving "all New Yorkers the opportunity to apply for driver's licenses without regard to immigration status," received national attention and became a focal issue for candidates during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign. The lawsuit alleged that the policy change violated the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law §§ 500 et seq. and the State Administrative Procedure Act, §§ 101, et seq.
Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, the Governor decided to drop the change in policy, citing "pending lawsuits" and public opposition. The case is closed.
Elizabeth Daligga - 07/16/2012
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