AUGUSTA -- Gov. John Baldacci asked the federal government Tuesday not to penalize Maine travelers if the state misses a deadline to make driver's licenses more secure, saying the state is making progress in upgrading the security of state-issued credentials.

Baldacci sent the letter to Secretary Michael Chertoff of the Department of Homeland Security as next Monday's deadline looms for states to request waivers that give them more time to comply with new licensing standards under the Real ID act, an anti-terrorism law enacted after Sept. 11, 2001.

DHS says it will impose new air travel restrictions on residents of states that do not seek waivers from the Real ID act and will deny them access to federal buildings when the federal requirements take effect on May 11.

Without directly asking for a waiver from the government's deadline, Baldacci asked the department not to penalize Mainers. He said Maine "has been at the forefront in the national discussion of identity security" and has worked closely with Homeland Security on the issue.

"We remain committed to improving the security of our credentials," says Baldacci's letter.

The wording closely follows that of a letter from Montana. Even though it did not ask specifically for a waiver, Montana was given one last week, said Baldacci spokesman David Farmer.

"We're asking for equal treatment," Farmer said.

Other states including South Carolina and New Hampshire also have not sought waivers. New Hampshire asked to be exempted, but federal officials do not view its letter as a legally acceptable request and the Granite State has not received an extension.

Gov. John Lynch's spokesman, Colin Manning, said Tuesday that New Hampshire had not received a response from the federal government.

Maine, like some other states, has enacted a law forbidding its motor vehicle officials from complying with Real ID. Baldacci said Maine, along with other states bound by such laws, will continue working with the government on credential security issues.

But complying with Real ID could cost the state $200 million, according to Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap, who is in charge of Maine motor vehicle regulation. Privacy issues are also being raised.

"I share the concerns of other Maine lawmakers that Real ID could put in jeopardy the personal information of every Maine resident," Baldacci said.
Dunlap said a likely alternative to Real ID requirements will be a passport, passport card, military ID or other federal identifying document.

Baldacci's letter drew statements from the Maine congressional delegation. Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe asked Chertoff to allow Maine IDs to continue to be accepted for federal purposes following May 11.

"As the state and the nation continue to grapple with a sluggish economy and widespread budget shortfalls, this is the wrong time to force an undefined federal mandate on the state that, by all estimates, it cannot afford," Snowe said.

Democratic Rep. Tom Allen expressed doubts that Real ID will enhance security and said no state is in compliance. His letter to Chertoff calls the May 11 deadline "arbitrary" and says, "I believe that your agency has recognized that Real ID will not work in its current form."