Missouri House endorses English-only driver's tests
Copyright 2011 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Posted: 02/21/2012
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By: Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - The Missouri House endorsed legislation Monday that would require driver's license tests to be administered only in English and would restrict interpreters for those who have trouble understanding the language.
The House's 91-59 vote marks the second year in a row that the body has backed such legislation. Debate on this year's measure mirrored that of last year's proposal, which died in the Senate.
Rep. Mark Parkinson, R-St. Charles, who sponsored the measure, said he is trying to bring the license exam law "into line" with the state constitution.
Voters approved a 2008 amendment to the constitution to make English the official language of state proceedings, but not necessarily the state's official language.
Democrats said the legislation could discriminate against new legal immigrants who have not yet mastered English. They said the measure could make it harder for those immigrants to get jobs or vote. Republicans, who largely support Parkinson's bill, have said drawing businesses to the state is a key part of the state's economic recovery.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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