Massachusetts governor vetoes law requiring state to issue driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants; Legislators promise to override

Republican Governor of Massachusetts Charlie Baker vetoed a bill on Friday that would have allowed illegal immigrants in the state to obtain driver’s licenses, but the Democrat-dominated legislature promised a speedy overturn of the veto, despite Baker’s warnings about the law.

Both houses of the Massachusetts legislature overwhelmingly passed the law, with the House of Representatives voting in favor of the law by a vote of 120 to 36. The Senate passed the bill by a lopsided majority of 32-8.

Despite this, Baker vetoed the bill and issued a statement condemning at least one apparent consequence of the bill. “I can’t sign this bill because it requires the motor vehicle registry to issue government IDs to people who are unable to verify their identity,” Baker said.

However, Ron Mariano, Speaker of the Democratic House of Representatives, was unperturbed by this unchallengeable fact, claiming: “In addition to making our roads safer for all drivers, this legislation recognizes the vital role our immigrant neighbors play in our society and economy, by ensuring that everyone has access to a driver’s license.” Mariano promised a speedy lifting of the veto, which is scheduled for June 8.

Baker, a moderate Republican, is one of the most popular governors in the country. according to a current surveyhe is the most popular governor in the entire country, with an approval rating of a whopping 74 percent. However, Baker has indicated that he will not run for a third term in 2022 because much of his popularity comes from independents and Democrats and he faced an uncertain fate in the Republican primary.