Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed In Anoka County City Of Ham Lake

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A broad range of interest groups is lining up behind a push to grant driver's licenses to people living in Minnesota illegally.

Business coalitions, religious leaders and law enforcement officials support the move. They say it would make roads safer as more people pass the required driving tests. They would also be able to buy auto insurance with their licenses.

Rep. Rod Hamilton sponsors one such bill in the state House. The Mountain Lake Republican choked up a few times Wednesday as he spoke to a hearing packed with supporters.

Opponents say giving licenses to people without legal immigration status will make it easier for them to commit voter fraud. The bill's Senate version would mark those licenses as only for driving in an attempt to prevent that from happening.