LANSING, Mich. (AP) The secretary of state sued the federal government
Thursday for requiring Michigan residents to give Social Security numbers
to get or renew their driver's licenses.
States are required to collect the numbers from licensed drivers to help
track deadbeat parents.
Secretary of State Candice Miller said the requirement violates the
privacy of Michigan's 6.9 million licensed drivers.
"I will not sit idly by while residents' privacy is invaded by an
intrusive, ineffective and unfunded mandate,'' Miller said.
Michigan is the only state not complying with the requirement that took
effect in October, said Pam Carter of the U.S. Health Department.
The state could lose about $900 million annually in federal money if it
fails to comply with the requirement. But Miller said the lawsuit will
not hurt the state's federal money.
Michigan already has a database system more efficient and effective
than one that would use Social Security numbers, the lawsuit says.
Gov. John Engler does not support Miller's lawsuit, spokesman John
Truscott said.