Fee waiver pushed for copies of birth certificates

Reacting to a new state law that requires photo identification for voting, some state and local officials are pushing to waive the $20 fee for copies of Milwaukee County birth certificates. Earlier this year, the Legislature adopted the voter ID law, which says voters must show one of several approved forms of photo identification - such as a driver's license - at the polls, starting next year. For those who don't have a driver's license, lawmakers provided for the state Division of Motor Vehicles to waive fees for state ID cards at a voter's request. But applicants still need copies of their birth certificates to obtain either driver's licenses or state ID cards. And state law sets fees of $20 for the first copy and $3 for subsequent copies. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/4)