Real ID dying on the vine

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm proud of Arizona's gut-level libertarian impulses. The latest evidence that such impulses are alive and kicking comes courtesy of the state Senate's slap at the federal Real ID mandate.

The Arizona Senate has voted to prohibit Arizona from implementing a federal law requiring states to comply with security guidelines for driver licenses.

The Senate's vote today sends the bill to the state House.The deadline for states to comply with the Federal Real I-D Act is May of next year, though states can get extensions through the end of 2009.Supporters of the Arizona bill have criticized the federal mandate, saying it's unfunded and would effectively create a national identification card.

I'd like to believe that this is the final word on this matter -- at least for Arizona -- but it's not. The federal mandate has sharp teeth: Drivers licenses that don't conform to the national standard won't be accepted as identification by federal agencies. That could well include the attitude-deficient TSA goons who decide whether or not you're allowed to board your flight at the airport. That means there are fights ahead and potential consequences for residents of states that resist.

But, the Arizona vote -- assuming it's echoed in the House -- follows on a similar move by Maine. And the Arizona vote was spearheaded by Republicans -- members of the same party as the Bush administration, which has been pushing the Real ID standard. This just may be a trend.