All on Spitzer

A local Queens newspaper, the Queens Courier, has a rather over-the-top editorial today opposing Eliot Spitzer’s plan to allow illegal immigrants to obtain a New York State driver’s license.

But they do raise one interesting point in their protest:

“The bad news here is that his change of policy does not require legislative approval! Our elected officials cannot even say no for us!”

Making this change by executive order does have the practical effect of letting legislators off the hook for voting for such a move. Strategically, it puts the burden on Spitzer to carry the message, which, as has been noted, he seems willing to do.