Oklahoma Abortion Advocates Lose Choose Life Plate Case at Supreme Court 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
January 8, 2008
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The Supreme Court declined to take a case from Oklahoma where abortion advocates allege that pro-life people are getting preferential treatment because they can purchase a Choose Life license plate. They want the option to put pro-abortion plates on their vehicles.
Pro-abortion groups say the law allowing the Choose Life tags is unconstitutional because it allows funds form the sale of the plates to benefit groups promoting adoption.
At the same time it prohibits money from going to groups that support abortion.
The lawsuit attempts to force the Choose Life Assistance Program to fund pro-abortion groups.
Without comment, the nation’s highest court declined to hear the appeal in the case. A federal judge originally dismissed the case and the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver agreed with that decision in March 2007.
U.S. District Court Judge Claire Eagan said the lawsuit belongs in state courts rather than the federal system.
The pro-life license plates cost $35 more than normal and part of the proceeds go to groups that help pregnant women find alternatives to abortion.
Eagan said in her August 2005 ruling that the additional cost is a tax, not a fee, and, as a result, belongs in state courts.
The Center for Reproductive Rights, a pro-abortion New York-based law firm, said in a statement that it will consider its options and is not giving up the battle against the plates.
Specifically, 60% of the funds raised from the Choose Life plates will directly benefit women in crisis pregnancy situations that choose to place their babies for adoption. It will provide food, clothing, transportation, medical assistance or whatever is needed.
Forty percent of the funds can be used for counselor training, educational materials, videos, etc. Counselors will be trained to present adoption as an option for pregnant woman in crisis. None of the funds can be used for administrative expenses.
According to a group backing the plate, "The funds raised will fill a void that currently exists in the initial emergency stages of the adoption process and help make adoption a more achievable and chosen choice in Oklahoma."
Related web sites:
Oklahoma Choose Life plate – https://www.ecognizant.net/okchooselife
Choose Life License Plate – https://www.choose-life.org
