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Anti-abortion license plates could appear on vehicles in Minnesota if a new bill passes the legislature this year. Legislators submitted a flurry of new bills on Monday well ahead of the start of the session in February. One submitted by Republican Rep. Larry Howes of Walker would initiate a “Choose Life” license plate program in the state. Such programs have been met with legal controversy in other states.
Minnesota’s neighbors to the west have instituted “Choose Life” plates. North Dakota held a plate design contest sponsored by an anti-abortion group, North Dakota Right to Life, to come up with the plates. South Dakota has had the plates since 2006.
According to Choose Life, Inc., an organization pushing for the plates in all 50 states, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life is behind the bill in Minnesota.
The courts have said in some states that the plates are legal and in others they are not. Opponents say the plates give government endorsement to one side of a politically charged debate, and courts have agreed. In South Carolina, a court said the state could not issue anti-abortion plates without also issuing ones in support of abortion rights.
Howes bill would direct state money from the sales of “Choose Life” plates to adoption causes.
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11 Comments »
Comment posted January 13, 2010 @ 9:34 am
What, bumper stickers are no longer posh enough for the rabid right?
Comment posted January 13, 2010 @ 10:46 am
This has got to be against the law. If not, our legislature had better make a law to make this crud illeagle.
Comment posted January 13, 2010 @ 12:16 pm
This was tried during the Ventura years. In one of his occasional bursts of common sense, Jesse vetoed the bill. He said private groups should collect tehir own donations.
Comment posted January 13, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
All kinds of wrong here, folks.
Comment posted January 13, 2010 @ 2:21 pm
This isn’t Florida. Leave your BS off our plates!
Comment posted January 13, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
We cannot allow people to say “Choose Life.” That’s like saying, “Please Don’t Commit Suicide” or “Get Help for Depression” — it’s offensive, it’s wrong. Especially if it is going to raise money for adoption agencies! The state helping people with adoption? This is nuts!
Comment posted January 13, 2010 @ 5:44 pm
Fine, so long as we can also get a “No Forced Maternity!” plate.
Comment posted January 13, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
I’d prefer a “Stay Out Of My Uterus” plate, myself.
Comment posted January 14, 2010 @ 9:16 am
I can hear the sound of keys scratching painted metal.
Pingback posted January 14, 2010 @ 2:01 pm
[...] get the Department of Transportation involved in controversial social politics. Like this proposed “choose life” license plate. Anti-abortion license plates could appear on vehicles in Minnesota if a new bill passes the [...]
Comment posted February 17, 2010 @ 4:59 pm
I like the idea of a “stay out of my uterus” plate, but I’m afraid I’d feel a bit odd driving with one, as I’m a guy. Good sentiment though. Especially for all those anti-healthcare types who are so very insistent that they don’t WANT the government interfering in “private matters” between them and their doctors.
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