Latest news with #DepartmentofSafetyandHomelandSecurity
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Yahoo
Can you get a REAL ID online? What to know as the May 7 deadline approaches
The May 7 enforcement deadline for a REAL ID is fast approaching. The 2005 REAL ID Act established that Americans would need identification that met, "minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards," and prohibited federal agencies from accepting identification from states that did not meet those standards, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Those without a REAL ID will be unable to board domestic flights and access certain federal buildings. REAL IDs are issued by states, the District of Columbia and the five major U.S. territories, meaning there may be some differences in the application processes. Here's what you need to know about getting a REAL ID online. REAL ID took 20 years to become reality. What took so long? The ability to apply online for a REAL ID depends on the state that is issuing it. Pennsylvania allows for prequalified residents to obtain a REAL ID online. States like California, New York and Virginia allow for people seeking a REAL ID to apply for it online, with follow up steps taken in person. Some states, like Texas, Michigan and Oklahoma, complete the entire process in person. Travelers will need to show documents with the following in order to get a REAL ID-compliant license or ID, per the DHS: Full legal name Birthday Social Security number Two forms of proof of their address at their "principal residence" Lawful status "States may impose additional requirements, so check with your state's driver's licensing agency website, before visiting them in person, for additional guidance and assistance," the DHS said on its website. The time it takes to receive a REAL ID will depend on the state issuing it. "If you need a REAL ID compliant credential for an upcoming trip, please allow enough time before to receive your hard copy in the mail," Tennessee's Department of Safety and Homeland Security said on its website. "A paper credential may not be accepted by TSA." Even after the deadline passes, travelers can use acceptable alternative forms of ID, including passports or a state-issued Enhanced Driver's License for domestic travel. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Can you get a REAL ID online? What to know as May 7 deadline nears
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Governor's supplemental budget depends on $700 million in federal stimulus money investments
Sen. Bo Watson, a North Chattanooga Republican, told lawmakers there won't be any investment income left next year to tap. (Photo: John Partipilo) Tennessee is using the last of its investment income from federal COVID stimulus money to balance its budget this year, leading some lawmakers to issue warnings about the governor's spending strategy. Gov. Bill Lee's supplemental budget plan for next year depends on $200 million the state set aside to spend during the COVID-19 pandemic but never did. Those funds accompany an additional $500 million that's already part of the governor's $59.6 billion budget proposal, which lawmakers must approve before adjourning this spring. This budget maneuver has allowed Lee for several years to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more than would normally be available. Investment earnings usually come in around $5 million. But the federal stimulus funds are nearly depleted. 'We tried to make the point … don't get too comfortable with this money because it's way above what we would customarily get,' said Republican Sen. Bo Watson of North Chattanooga, chairman of the finance committee. The governor's extra spending is shrinking year after year, as Lee's $345 million supplemental budget plan for fiscal 2025-26 marks a sharp reduction from a year ago when it hit $656 million. Tennessee budget officials predicted that the state's budget would not grow this year, and according to the Finance and Administration commissioner, state revenue is on track to come in as projected. Officials estimated 2% growth for next year. The state budget took a hit last year when the legislature approved a franchise and excise tax cut and refund for businesses that's expected to cost some $1.4 billion up front and an additional $400 million per year. 'I think the state's got long-term problems down the road because we cut revenue sources and we're not dealing with outstanding big-ticket needs like road funding and education funding,' Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbro of Nashville said Tuesday after hearing the governor's budget update. During Lee's tenure, Tennessee's budget has soared from a combination of the state's growing economy, access to online sales tax revenue and federal pandemic funds. Next year, the governor wants to take the unusual step of borrowing heavily to build roads before costs increase, according to Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson. In addition to Treasury investment earnings, the supplemental budget moves $23.6 million of the money set aside for Lee's private-school voucher program to provide money to a variety of nonprofit groups and favored projects. Nearly $14.5 million in the budget plan released Tuesday is earmarked to offset school district losses related to the private-school voucher program, and $20 million goes toward charter school facilities. Another $5.5 million will be used to pay for the Department of Safety and Homeland Security's immigration enforcement bureau, which was enacted during this year's special session to complement federal crackdowns on immigrants without permanent legal status. More than $20.6 million from TennCare's shared savings account with the federal government will be used to reimburse hospitals for treatment of indigent patients. Another $28 million from shared savings is set to go to nursing homes that provide care for needy people. The state has accumulated nearly $1 billion in that TennCare account designed to serve low-income residents. The governor's plan continues to provide money to the Men of Valor, a prison ministry that Lee participated in, and a host of nonprofit groups the governor favors. For instance, $1 million is targeted for the Church of Christ of God in Memphis, but Bryson couldn't explain why the church is to receive the money. Yarbro said lawmakers need a 'clearer statement' on the benefit of funding the litany of organizations statewide. 'There are more nonprofits that are being supported by this governor just because of what seem to be relationships,' Yarbro said. Watson called it 'a lot of nickel and dime stuff' and said the administration will explain it 'on the back end.' In addition, Lee is backing $10 million for the state's artificial intelligence initiative and $3 million for an audit of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Some of the AI money will go toward the state's initial investments in artificial intelligence to improve services, Watson said, but he added that some of the funds will go toward technology. Another $12 million targets an Economic and Community Development FastTrack Project in Sumner County, which involves a water line from Portland to Westmoreland. The city of Chattanooga would receive $15 million for a waterfront project. The Andrew Jackson Foundation would land a $6.2 million grant, and $5 million would go toward the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Youth Villages Memphis Allies would receive $10 million. The state's court system indigent representation program would receive $17 million. Lee's plan deposits $25 million into a response and recovery fund, and $10 million would go toward relocating the Unicoi County Hospital that was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene last fall. The governor's plan puts $3 million toward a summer food program for children, even though the state opted against renewing federal funds to feed kids. Yarbro called that idea 'bad budgeting and bad morality.'
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Yahoo
Saturday slots open for TN residents to get REAL ID before deadline
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Tennesseans have until May 7, 2025 to get their REAL ID to board commercial flights in the U.S. and enter some federal buildings. The state has tried to make it easier for people without updated IDs by adding Saturday appointments at select locations. After May 7, Tennessee driver licenses and ID cards that aren't compliant will not be accepted at certain federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants. Additionally, a compliant REAL ID will be necessary to board a commercial flight within the U.S. Saturday appointments available for those needing REAL IDs in Tennessee '[We are] here getting the star for my mom, who's 87, so that we can fly her to Florida,' Troy Buford, who visited a drivers' service center in Nashville, said. 'The process — it's a little arduous.' In February, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security in February added more than 1,400 extra REAL ID appointment slots per day. Additionally, you can go on Saturdays, with weekend appointments available at 14 Driver Services Centers across Tennessee. They include locations in Cookeville, Columbia, Clarksville and Nashville. Some drivers tell News 2 they took care of getting the update early.'I'm so glad I did. There's a huge line in there for that,' Benjamin Bressler told News 2. 'Others still need to get it done — but not for lack of trying to fast-track the process online,' said Shelby Newbern. 'I got here at eight o'clock and I just got through at 11 but the process itself was like less than ten minutes, but the waiting game was about three hours.' Department of Safety and Homeland Security officials told News 2 they'd seen an uptick in people trying to go locations in more urban areas rather than rural. FEBRUARY: Need help finding REAL ID documents? The Tennessee State Library & Archives can help 'The [addition of] Saturday hours is a response to the increase in demand for appointments,' Charmaine McNeilly, the deputy director of communications, said. 'One point of confusion is some people think of this as a deadline that they have to get it before May 7th, or they won't be able to get it in the future and that is not the case.' State officials said as of publication, more than 2.7 million Tennesseans already have the updated license. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tennessee residents can now get their REAL ID on the weekend. Here's what to know before the deadline
With the REAL ID deadline fast approaching, multiple driver services centers across Tennessee are providing more opportunities for Tennesseans to get theirs. This weekend, select centers will begin offering Saturday appointments for current Tennessee credential holders, announced the Department of Safety and Homeland Security on Thursday. To participate in the new expanded Saturday appointments, applicants must possess a valid Tennessee driver's license or identification card, said a news release. REAL ID applicants without a current Tennessee credential will be served during regular Monday to Friday hours. Saturday hours are available by appointment only. Here is what to know about REAL ID and how to make an appointment. REAL ID is a form of identification that complies with federal security standards and is accepted for official purposes such as boarding domestic flights and accessing specific federal facilities. Beginning May 7, 2025, everyone must have a REAL ID or another approved Federally-issued ID, such as a passport, to enter certain federal buildings, military bases and nuclear power plants or board commercial flights within the United States. According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennesseans are not required to obtain a REAL ID and the identification is not necessary to drive, vote, purchase alcohol or cigarettes, access hospitals, visit the post office, access federal courts or apply for or receive federal benefits such as social security or veterans' benefits. REAL ID applicants must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or legal presence, proof of a Social Security number and two proofs of Tennessee residency. If there has been a name change, applicants must bring certified legal documents supporting the name change(s) which could include marriage licenses or divorce decrees. All documents must be original or certified copies; photocopies are not accepted. People can schedule an appointment online, with Saturday slots available starting March 22 and continuing until the May 7 implementation date. Here are the centers offering Saturday appointments: West Tennessee Bartlett Express Services Center – 6340 Summer Ave. Jackson Driver Services Center – 100 Benchmark Circle Memphis/East Shelby Drive Driver Services and Reinstatement Center – 3200 East Shelby Drive Oakland Driver Services and Reinstatement Center – 160 Beau Tisdale Drive Savannah Driver Services Center - 1016 Pickwick St. (beginning March 29) Middle Tennessee Clarksville Driver Services Center - 220 West Dunbar Cave Road Columbia Driver Services Center - 1701 Hampshire Pike Cookeville Driver Services Center - 4600 South Jefferson Ave. Nashville/Hickory Hollow Driver Services and Reinstatement Center – 5216 Hickory Hollow Pkwy. East Tennessee: Chattanooga/Bonny Oaks Driver Services and Reinstatement Center – 6502 Bonny Oaks Drive Johnson City Driver Services Center – 4717 Lake Park Drive Knoxville/Strawberry Plains Driver Services Center – 7320 Region Lane Morristown County Driver Services Center - 1551 East Morris Boulevard, Suite 2 Oak Ridge Driver Services Center - 475 Oak Ridge Turnpike Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@ or follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @_leyvadiana This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: REAL ID appointments in Tennessee: Saturdays now included
