The Department of Homeland Security has decided to cut
states some slack on implementing the so-called "Real ID" program.
According to a department press release, Homeland Security
officials have extended the compliance date from May 2007 to the end of 2009 – and,
states will be allowed to use Homeland Security grant money to pay for the program.
The controversial identification program is supposed to a
biometric, more tamper-proof form of identification that requires more proof of
identity to obtain.
However, a number of states have argued that they were being
mandated to issue the cards without any financial help from the federal
government.
