A Michigan state Senate committee approved a bill today to allow motorists to purchase Choose Life license plates. The specialty plates would send a portion of the proceeds for the purchase of the plate to groups that provide women with abortion alternatives.
Here’s more:
The plates would cost $35 on top of regular registration fees, including a $25 donation and $10 service fee. Proceeds would be directed to a new fund, which would be responsible for covering state startup costs and distributing grants.
“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,” sponsoring Sen. Patrick Colbeck, R-Canton, said after a 4-1 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee.
“..It actually provides those services, and support services necessary to support women who’ve made the choice to go off and support life.”
The new fund proposed in Senate Bill 84 has already been set up by Right to Life of Michigan, according to Colbeck. A mock-up the potential license plate includes a URL that currently redirects to the Right to Life website.
Right to Life urged lawmakers to sign off on the plates last week, noting that Michigan is the only state on the I-75 corridor running down to Florida without them. More than two dozen states offer similar fundraising plates.
“This legislation is about unleashing generosity,” said legislative director Ed Rivet. “The pro-life movement is already well practiced in that regard.”
Naturally, pro-abortion groups, calling themselves “pro-choice” oppose the plates and Amanda West, director of government relations for Planned Parenthood of Michigan, demanded a plate funding abortions.
Right to Life of Michigan cheered passage of the bill.
“The Senate Transportation Committee reported out SB 84 authorizing a Choose Life fundraising license plate,” it said. “If passed, funds raised from the sale of this specialty license plate would support prolife organizations offering support to women facing untimely pregnancies.”
“ust think – you could support the option of adoption and fund educational programs on alternatives to abortion with the purchase of a Choose Life license plate for your vehicle. The bill is now pending on the Senate floor,” it said.
