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Controversial license plate proposals are causing a stir at the state capital

March 10, 2004
By: Rachel Schaff
State Capital Bureau

One of the most routine tasks of state transportation committees gained more attention today (Wednesday).

Rachel Schaff reports on the rise and impact of political license plates in Missouri.

Missouri drivers are used to specialty license plates.

Over the years, State Transportation Committees have approved over a hundred specialty plates to promote everything from the Boy Scouts to Missouri pet lovers.

But right now, a pair of proposed specialty plates in causing a jam in the House Transportation Committee.

The committee is hearing two separate pieces of legislation -- one to create a "freedom equals choice" license plate, and the other a "respect life" plate.

Money from the sales of the plates would go to family planning support programs and alternatives to abortion programs.

Representative Hilgemann, sponsor of the pro-choice plate, says the measure is causing a stir among legislators.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: You know anything that involved family planning in this state is controversial.

Representative Crawford, sponsor of the pro-life plate, says that license plates have always been a highly disputed issue.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: When we reissued our license plates, our standard license plates, there was a big disagreement over the style. Some people think we have a very ugly license plate.

However, Crawford expects his bill to sail through the House.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: As always in the House there is a lot of support for alternatives to abortion and support for women with crisis pregnancies. So I would suspect that it will pass by a good by a large margin.

Hilgemann says he is not as sure about his bill's fate because previous resistance to similar legislation has made him wary.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: I think it's uncertain how it will turn out. Last year in the committee hearing itself we were one vote short of passing out the "freedom equals choice" plate.

Jon Dolan, Senate Transportation Committee Chair, says such political messages are not appropriate for state-owned license plates.

He thinks the plates have the potential to be disruptive.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: I guess it's a political statement of some incendiary value depending on who you are. I'm sure someone's gonna have the bird flipped to him by someone who disagrees and I don't want to see that on our highways.

If the bills pass, legislators could open the door for more political messages on license plates.

But Dolan says the development could have a negative impact on Missouri drivers.

Actuality:
RunTime:
OutCue:
Contents: The first time I see an Al Gore/John Kerry plate I'm not going to be as nice to the driver next to me. Why would they be nice to me if I have a George Bush or a Dick Cheney plate?

Dolan also says he seriously believes the legislature's time could be better spent discussing more pressing issues like education or the budget.

From the state capital, I'm Rachel Schaff.