License Plate Plan Would Aid Victims

Joining in the red, white and blue marketing frenzy that is sweeping America, California may offer motorists a patriotic Sept. 11 memorial license plate.

High school students would compete for the right to design the plate by submitting sketches in a statewide contest under a bipartisan proposal unveiled Thursday by lawmakers and quickly backed by Gov. Gray Davis.

The proceeds would be split between a scholarship fund for California children whose parents perished Sept. 11, and law enforcement agencies financially strapped by the demands of fighting terrorism.

“Every tragedy creates an opportunity,” said Assemblyman Herb Wesson (D-Culver City), set to take over as Assembly speaker next year, “and there is no difference in this tragedy.”

Wesson and Assembly Republican leader Dave Cox (R-Fair Oaks) said during a Capitol news conference with law enforcement leaders that they plan to introduce legislation to authorize the plates as soon as the Senate and Assembly reconvene in January.

The plates would cost about $50, with a $40 annual renewal fee.

“These monies will be welcome support to the children of the heroes who are America’s first casualties of war in the 21st century,” the governor said in a statement.

Lawmakers did not estimate how popular the memorial plates might be, but said the proposal has huge potential at a time when Americans are feeling especially patriotic.

“Just think about all the people you’ve seen with flags on their cars,” said state Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Culver City).

California has nine so-called special-interest plates of varying prices, the most popular being an arts-themed plate that has sold 77,000 copies.

Another, honoring former Gov. and President Ronald Reagan, was approved two years ago but has so far failed to reach 7,500 orders, which is required by a recent state law before a plate can go into production.

Its future is in doubt.

Adding yet another license plate to California’s roadways could spark criticism.

Lawmakers have limited specialty plates in recent years after the California Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies complained that a rash of designs promoting everything from Yosemite to UCLA was making it difficult for police to do their job.

What started as a novel way for public and nonprofit groups to raise a little cash got out of hand, lawmakers concluded.

The Legislature passed a moratorium on new special plates in 1994, but it ended in 1999.

Supporters of the Sept. 11 memorial plates call them a special case, and say an exception should be made.

A representative of the California Highway Patrol said the agency still has concerns, but would review the winning plate design to ensure police can easily read the license numbers.

With police agencies everywhere having to beef up patrols and buy equipment in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, law enforcement leaders said the plates would give them a much needed infusion of cash.

“We are spending an exorbitant amount of money on overtime,” said Sacramento County Sheriff Lou Blanas.

“Every time a heightened alert goes out, we put more people on the street.”

Even if lawmakers quickly approve the memorial plates next year, it could be some time before they hit the highways.

Armando Botello, a spokesman for the California Department of Motor Vehicles, said it typically takes about nine months for a new specialty plate to be manufactured.