Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Establishing a workgroup to make recommendations to the Mayor and the Common Council regarding the development of a City of Madison Municipal Identification Card program.
Body
WHEREAS, obtaining a government identification card has proven difficult, if not impossible, for many Madison residents, including immigrants, youth, homeless individuals, transgender individuals, people with disabilities, and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, Madison residents who do not have government-issued identification face restricted access to financial institutions, healthcare, jobs, housing, law enforcement, and home and workplace protections; and
WHEREAS, a lack of government identification deters members of our community from reporting crimes to local law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, Madison residents who do not have government identification may be afraid to report labor and housing law violations; and
WHEREAS, it is difficult to open a bank account without government identification, and individuals without identification are more likely to carry large amounts of cash and therefore be a target for robbery or other violent crime; and
WHEREAS, Madison residents who are transgender and gender non-conforming may face particular challenges in obtaining identification that reflects their gender identity; and
WHEREAS, a municipal identification card would make a meaningful difference in our community by providing an official form of personal identification for many residents who currently lack identification; and
WHEREAS, a municipal identification card would be a powerful symbol of inclusion and welcome; and
WHEREAS, the cities of Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New Haven, New York City, Richmond, Newark, and Hartford have implemented community identification programs and have reported increases in reporting of crimes and civic engagement in those cities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Milwaukee successfully implemented a municipal identi...
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