Statement from Erie County Legislator Lynne Dixon on 'Greenlight' legislation passing NYS Assembly

Modified: June 13, 2019 9:20am

06/12/2019

“I agree with and support the county clerks and law enforcement across the state, as well as the members of our local assembly and state delegation who have shown bi-partisan leadership and publicly raised opposition to this ‘greenlight’ legislation. This bill will grant people in this country illegally easier access to government identification than law abiding American citizens. With this legislation now passed by the state assembly and heading to the senate, I am hopeful our state senate stands for the rule of law and blocks this legislation from reaching Governor Cuomo’s desk.

 

I am disappointed the majority caucus in the County Legislature and the County Executive have remained silent on this issue considering the lasting affect it will have on our county and county resources,” stated Dixon.

 

The ‘greenlight’ legislation has seen opposition from the New York State Association of Police Chiefs and New York State Police PBA as well as both Republican and Democratic members of the WNY delegation in the assembly and senate.

 

A number of county clerks in Western New York have stated publicly they will not comply with the law.

 

In 2007 when this issue was pursued by the administration of former Governor Eliot Spitzer, current Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, then County Clerk, threatened to turn over to federal border security officers the names of any undocumented immigrants who came to her office seeking a driver’s license in Erie County.

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Buffalo, New York 14202

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