Virginia Legislature Gives Final OK to Choose Life Plates, Gov. Kaine to Decide

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Feb 26, 2009   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Virginia Legislature Gives Final OK to Choose Life Plates, Gov. Kaine to Decide

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
February 26
, 2009

Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) — The Virginia state legislature put the final touches on a bill that includes a provision allowing motorists there to purchase Choose Life license plates. Now the burden is on Gov. Tim Kaine, who supports legal abortions but has been trying to moderate his image by backing some pro-life measures.

The Virginia Senate, on Thursday, approved changes the state House made to an omnibus license plate bill and now the legislation heads to Kaine.

Kaine, whom President Barack Obama named as the head of the Democratic party, claims he wants to reduce abortions but he won’t pledge to sign the license plate bill.

"When it comes to the governor’s desk, he’ll take a look at it and act accordingly," spokesman Gordon Hickey told the Washington Post. earlier.

Kaine can sign the bill, amend the bill and remove the Choose Life plate, or veto the entire bill outright.

As in other states, the Choose Life plates would allow some of the purchase price to go to groups that help women avoid abortions by providing them with adoption and pregnancy help. Of every $40 spent on the plates, $15 will go to pregnancy centers.

Senator Ken Cuccinelli was the sponsor of the Choose Life plate bill that a Senate committee defeated earlier in the legislative session. Cuccinelli, however, didn’t give up and amended another license plate bill on the floor of the Senate several days later with the Choose Life” plate on a 20-19 vote.

Victoria Cobb, the president of the Family Foundation, told LifeNews.com that her group will press for Kaine to sign the bill.

"Between now and April 8th when the General Assembly reconvenes for its Veto Session we will be encouraging you to contact the Governor to ask him to support this bill," she said. "Please prepare to be a part of this very important final step."

"By making our voices heard we can allow Virginians to publicly show their support for life while providing a greater source of funding for pregnancy resource centers," she said.

ACTION: Contact Governor Kaine and urge him to sign the license plate bill and to support Choose Life license plates. Contact him at
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm

Related web sites:
Virginia Governor – https://www.governor.virginia.gov
Family Foundation – https://www.familyfoundation.org
Virginia Legislature – https://legis.state.va.us
Virginia Society for Human Life – https://www.vshl.org

Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com

Daily Pro-Life News Report Twice-Weekly Pro-Life
News Report
Receive a free daily email report from LifeNews.com with the latest pro-life news stories on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here. Receive a free twice-weekly email report with the latest pro-life news headlines on abortion, euthanasia and stem cell research. Sign up here.