Spitzer Lashes Out at Foes of License, Health Policies

With parts of his governing agenda under assault by the Bush administration and lawmakers, Governor Spitzer today swung back hard at his critics, accusing opponents to his plans to give driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and to extend public health care to middle-income children of practicing a "politics of fear."

"No amount of hysterical rhetoric will prevent us from doing what is right," Mr. Spitzer said in a speech today at Fordham University. "No amount of scare tactics that equate immigrants with terrorists will keep us from implementing changes to our driver's license system that we know are needed to increase public safety and homeland security. And no amount of fear-mongering will keep us from fighting for health insurance for every child."

Mr. Spitzer, who had toned down his criticisms of the Senate Republican leader, Joseph Bruno, following investigations into the so-called Troopergate scandal, resumed a confrontational stance, accusing his political foe of "fear mongering."

"I'm not going to run from this fight just because the other side decides to demagogue it," Mr. Spitzer said.

The governor's speech was his latest attempt to shore up support for two major policies that have been threatened by Republican opposition at the state and national level.

The Bush administration blocked the governor's effort to extend public health care to children in middle-income families, arguing that New York was seeking to enact a "socialized-type medicine." New York and seven other states are planning to sue the Bush administration to roll back regulations that prevent the states from expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program to include children in families with incomes well above the poverty level.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are vowing to reverse a policy issued by Mr. Spitzer last month that authorizes Department of Motor Vehicle offices to issue licenses to immigrants without regard to their legal status, starting next year. Critics of the policy, including Mayor Giuliani, say giving licenses to illegal immigrants would lead to increased fraud and confusion.

Others have warned that it would make it easier for dangerous criminals and terrorists to drive and enter government buildings. At least two New York county clerks have said they would ignore the policy.

In his speech, Mr. Spitzer said the new license policy contains several anti-fraud security measures, including new photo comparison technology and requirements that applicants submit current and valid foreign passports. He said the new rules would also "bring an entire population of people into a database that, when necessary, can be used to help law enforcement agencies track down criminals."

In defending his health care policy, Mr. Spitzer said Mr. Bush's opposition to expanding the child health care program reflected a "selfish politics of 'not my problem' that has led to the health crisis we have today."