License Plate Sales Could Help Fund Right to Life Michigan
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 18, 2015)
The Michigan Senate has approved making a license plate available to Michigan drivers that helps raise money for Right to Life Michigan, a group that promotes alternatives to abortion.
Senate Bill 0084 would affirm a fund that has already been established by Right to Life of Michigan. People who select the license plate would be charged an additional $35 over the typical cost of the plate, with $10 going to fees and $25 going to the organization. More than 24 other states offer similar plates.
Senators voted 26-11 along party lines Wednesday to approve the bill, which would collect a $25 donation for buyers of the license plate.
Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) sponsored the bill. Earlier this month he told M-Live that “The overarching goal it to make sure that we’ve got life-affirming policies and resources put in place for mothers that are finding themselves in not ideal situations.”
Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) opposed the bill, stating ” This would be the first politically blatant, one-sided message to appear on a state license plate. I vehemently opposed this bill, which would allow for funds raised to be used to promote political ideology and media campaigns rather than take tangible steps to prevent unintended pregnancies such as increasing access to family planning, contraceptives and comprehensive sexuality education for our youth. ”
The legislation will move on to the House of Representatives for a vote.
Other license plates are currently available to help fund lighthouse preservation, Boy Scouts of America, Veteran’s Memorial, Children’s Trust Fund, Ducks Unlimited and others. There are also plates for specific universities. For a complete offering of plates see http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1585_1595_9026—,00.html.
For more on Right to Life Michigan visit their website at http://rlmblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/choose-life-license-plate-legislation.html.