Governors' study: Real ID law will cost states $11 billion

The Real ID act, the monstrosity that has caused many Missourians to have to kick in with fees to dig up their birth certificates and other documentation so they can renew their driver's licenses is a drain on state treasuries that will most likely be passed on to the public, according to a report issued by the National Governors Association:

"The days of going to the DMV and getting your license on the same day are probably over," said David Quam, director of federal relations for the National Governors Association. "You'll have to take all your documents as if you were applying for the first time. What this comes down to is that more people will be in DMV offices spending more time to get an ID."

What is truly irritating about this ill-conceived law is how unnecessary it is. Instead of forcing lifelong Americans to prove their identities, all that would be required to make this nation safer would be to have public officials use common sense. Unfortunately, that appears to be in short supply both among bureaucrats and elected officials.