New Kentucky Tags

An anti-pornography group in Kentucky has gotten the go ahead to raise funds through the sale of state license plates that say "In God We Trust." It took more than three years of legal maneuvering to get the effort approved by ROCK Cares, whose name will appear on the plates. The only stipulation is that at least 900 applications for the tags must be made before they go into production. A plate without the ministry's name became available in January with more than 70,000 sold.

Car Tags Lose Court Battle

South Carolina will not be allowed to issue license plates with a cross and stained glass window with the phrase I Believe. A district judge (appointed by President Clinton) says it violates the First Amendment ban on establishment of religion by government. Christian groups plan to appeal - and work to get a similar plate issued using a state law that permits private groups to issue tags they design.

Brotha Car Tag

A Florida state senator is proposing a specialty tag that would read: Can A Brotha Get a Break? Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson is reacting to another proposed license plate that would feature an image of Jesus on the cross. Lawson wants to money from sale of the plates to go toward the Employees Relief Fund for the purpose of offsetting salary and benefit cuts by the Legislature and providing grief counseling. Lawson plans to run for a seat in the US Congress next year.

Kentucky Trust Plates Move Forward

Kentucky’s House Representatives have passed a bill that would allow the state to issue license plates that have the phrase In God We Trust printed on them. The Governor threw his support behind the effort last year. The measure now goes to the State Senate.

State Told to Stop Making I Believe Tags

A judge is ordering the state of South Carolina to quit making personalized license plates with a cross and the words I Believe while a lawsuit challenging the plates moves forward. The temporary injunction came after a court hearing today involving the Americans United for Separation of Church and State. None of those who have placed orders for the plates have received them yet.

Licence Plate Rejected

Elizabeth Ferris is suing the state of Indiana after officials refused to renew her personalized license plate. It says Be God's. The Cambridge City woman has has had the message on her license plate for eight years.

Religion License Plates

If you live in South Carolina, you can now ask for a Christian-themed license plate. The tag has a stain-glass window with a cross on the left side. The words "I Believe" are written across the top. The plates will go into production when 400 applications are submitted. Meanwhile, a lawsuit against the tags is making its way through the courts.

Lawsuit over I Believe Tags

Americans United for Separation of Church and State is going to court in an effort to stop the state of South Carolina from issuing license plates that say I Believe. The state lets private groups come up with tags for any cause if they can come up with a $4,000 deposit or 400 prepaid orders.

Alabama Car Tags

Alabama may be the next state to offer drivers I Believe custom license plates. State Senator Hank Erwin says he plans to introduce a bill that would create the faith-proclaiming tags. South Carolina Lawmakers recently approved similar legislation.

New Car Tag Moves Forward

The South Carolina House voted 109-0 yesterday to approve a new specialty license plate that says I Believe and features a cross. The bill now goes back to the Senate for final approval before it goes to the governor for his signature. A tag that says In God We Trust is already an option, Choose Life SC will be available in the fall. Florida lawmakers are working on their own version of the I Believe plate.

GOD LICENSE PLATES

Illinois lawmakers have passed a bill that will allow drivers to pick license plates that say In God We Trust. The vote was 105-to-3. Drivers would pay an extra $20 and a part of that fee would go to the Illinois Military Relief Fund for armed forces members.

CHOOSE LIFE PLATES UPHELD

A federal appeals court has unanimously reversed a judge's decision and ruled that the free speech rights of a nonprofit organization were violated when the state refused to issue specialty license plates with the message Choose Life. Arizona's License Plate Commission had approved plates for police and firefighter groups as well as the Wildlife Conservation Council, before turning down the Arizona Life Coalition. Just a few days ago, a federal judge ordered the state of Missouri to issue Choose Life plates. In his ruling, he said state laws were too broad in allowing license-plate messages to be rejected because of their content.