Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill

Republicans seem to have forgotten that national security is one of the most important issues we address in the Senate. Yesterday, they proved the only thing they care about is politics.

They spent the day filibustering on the Senate floor, preventing Democrats from introducing any amendments to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) bill. This means they are blocking an important amendment, which I support, that would make sure phone companies don't receive retroactive immunity.

At the end of the day, Senator McConnell decided he would try and stop debate entirely by filing for cloture. That means if Republicans get 60 votes on Monday, debate on this vital issue will be shut down.

Normally I wouldn't go this deep into Senate procedure, but if you care about your civil liberties and our national security, it is vital you tell your Senators to vote no on cloture Monday by visiting:

http://giveemhellharry.com/fisa

Looking at this situation makes me think the President and Republicans want to fail so they can run and cry to the media that Democrats are weak on national security. That line didn't work in 2006 and it won't work in 2008.

Closing the debate on this bill now is wrong.

Tell your Senators to vote no on cloture Monday by visiting:

http://giveemhellharry.com/fisa

Thank you,

Harry Reid

Driver License in North Carolina

The Raleigh Report

From the Office of Representative Marian McLawhorn

January 24, 2007

About Central Issuance of the North Carolina Driver License

Beginning July 1, 2008, North Carolina driver licenses will be issued from a secure central location and mailed to recipients within 20 days after they apply for a new license or identification card, or to renew a license.

This new requirement, enacted into law in July 2006, is meant to further strengthen and safeguard the production, manufacture and issuance of the North Carolina driver license and to further assure that it is issued to the individual who requests it. The law is an outgrowth of concerns across the nation that licenses from several states were issued to the terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Both central issuance and residential delivery are designed to prevent the problem of driver license production-material theft, and document and address fraud.

In July, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing driver licenses and identification cards by following a routine similar to that currently used. Customers will visit their local driver license office, take the sign and eye tests, as well as a driving test, if required. Their photos will be taken and their signatures will also be recorded. If the customer’s application is accepted, he will be issued a temporary driving certificate valid for 20 days. The temporary certificate will not display a photo of the customer and is valid only for driving purposes, not for identification. The customer may keep his current driver license during this temporary period. A new driver license will be issued by a central production facility in Raleigh and mailed to the customer at the residence address he has given DMV.

DMV reminds customers that they may apply to renew their driver licenses as much as 180 days (six months) in advance of their renewal due date, usually their birthdate. Renewing early will help assure on-time delivery of their new license or ID card.

DMV is currently working with the United States Postal Service and others to address instances in the state where residential delivery of mail is not offered, such as in small towns like Grifton and in rural areas where mail is delivered only to a P.O. Box. DMV will continue to study this issue as it prepares to meet the requirements of the central issuance law.

###

Marian N. McLawhorn

9^th House District Representative

1217 Legislative Building

Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Office Phone: 919-733-5757

Email: marianm@ncleg.net

Driver License in North Carolina

The Raleigh Report

From the Office of Representative Marian McLawhorn

January 24, 2007

About Central Issuance of the North Carolina Driver License

Beginning July 1, 2008, North Carolina driver licenses will be issued from a secure central location and mailed to recipients within 20 days after they apply for a new license or identification card, or to renew a license.

This new requirement, enacted into law in July 2006, is meant to further strengthen and safeguard the production, manufacture and issuance of the North Carolina driver license and to further assure that it is issued to the individual who requests it. The law is an outgrowth of concerns across the nation that licenses from several states were issued to the terrorists involved in the 9/11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Both central issuance and residential delivery are designed to prevent the problem of driver license production-material theft, and document and address fraud.

In July, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing driver licenses and identification cards by following a routine similar to that currently used. Customers will visit their local driver license office, take the sign and eye tests, as well as a driving test, if required. Their photos will be taken and their signatures will also be recorded. If the customer’s application is accepted, he will be issued a temporary driving certificate valid for 20 days. The temporary certificate will not display a photo of the customer and is valid only for driving purposes, not for identification. The customer may keep his current driver license during this temporary period. A new driver license will be issued by a central production facility in Raleigh and mailed to the customer at the residence address he has given DMV.

DMV reminds customers that they may apply to renew their driver licenses as much as 180 days (six months) in advance of their renewal due date, usually their birthdate. Renewing early will help assure on-time delivery of their new license or ID card.

DMV is currently working with the United States Postal Service and others to address instances in the state where residential delivery of mail is not offered, such as in small towns like Grifton and in rural areas where mail is delivered only to a P.O. Box. DMV will continue to study this issue as it prepares to meet the requirements of the central issuance law.

###

Marian N. McLawhorn

9^th House District Representative

1217 Legislative Building

Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Office Phone: 919-733-5757

Email: marianm@ncleg.net

NC State Executive Committee Meeting

The State Executive Committee of the North Carolina Democratic Party will meet on Saturday, Jan. 26 in the Cole Auditorium, located at Richmond Community College, 1042 W. Hamlet Ave. in Hamlet, NC.

Required by the NCDP Plan of Organization, the purpose of the meeting is to conduct Party business.Registration begins at 11 a.m. The meeting starts at 1 p.m. Auxiliary groups will meet prior to the State Executive Committee meeting.

A complimentary lunch provided from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by the Richmond County Democratic Party and the Eighth Democratic Congressional District Committee.The North Carolina Federation of College Democrats will hold a Winter Reception immediately following the State Executive Committee meeting at the Historic Hamlet Depot, located at W. Main St and N. Bridges St. in Hamlet.

For more information about the SEC meeting and related events, call Sallie Leslie at (919) 821-2777 x205 or by e-mail sleslie@ncdp.org