The Phoenix City Council took another step forward in implementing a municipal ID card yesterday. The proposal would give Phoenix residents a photo ID that could be used for multiple city services like libraries and public transit systems.
In a 5-4 vote councilmembers decided to advance the proposal by issuing a “request for information”. That opens the process up to the private sector to submit ideas on how to implement the system.
Michael Nowakowski was one of the councilmembers who voted in favor of the move.
"We're basically setting up a game plan, looking at the best practices that are out there," Nowakowski said. "Bringing it back to the council and then doing an RFP, sending it out for people that want to actually do it."
Supporters of a Phoenix municipal ID card say this type of identification would make it easier for residents who traditionally have trouble getting a state or federally issued ID — like the homeless, transgender people and those who don’t have legal residency status in the U.S. — to report crimes and access city services.
Opponents say the cost of the program would outweigh the benefits and that it’s a way to legitimize the status of undocumented immigrants.
