ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A New York senator said Wednesday that the state’s plan to choose the highest bidder to produce driver’s licenses with black-and-white images is unacceptable, while the state defended the company, saying it provides the most secure product.

“If it is an overbid, (it’s) unacceptable considering the problems we have with Hurricane Sandy, the devastation we see on the Eastern Seaboard,” said Sen. Mark Grisanti, an Erie County Republican. “We need every penny we can get to help out the victims of Hurricane Sandy.”