It appears to me, a non-lawyer, that the Governor is attempting to change a law with an executive order. I though that the process required a change to be passed by the legislature and approved by the Governor. What am I missing? Here's an excerpt of the Vehicle & Traffic Law, Title 5, Article 19, Section 502 that Assemblyman Tedisco mentioned in one of his early press releases:
ยง 502. Requirements for licensing. 1. Application for license.
Application for a driver's license shall be made to the commissioner.
The fee prescribed by law may be submitted with such application. The applicant shall furnish such proof of identity, age, and fitness as may be required by the commissioner. The commissioner may also provide that the application procedure shall include the taking of a photo image or images of the applicant in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the commissioner. In addition, the commissioner also shall require that the applicant provide his or her social security number ...
(http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi for complete NY laws)
The DMV commissioner has some leeway in the license process, but he "shall require that the applicant provide his or her social security number". This appears to be part of the law, not an executive order or DMV procedural detail. How much power does the governor have to change laws without legislative approval?
The Governor is ignoring the law? I'm shocked!
He's also ignoring political common sense. The fact that he can't perceive this is an expression of how naive he is and the voters who bought the message of King Eliot.