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AP Exclusive: Calif. 9/11 fund raided for deficits SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — After the 2001 terrorist attacks, California lawmakers sought a way to channel the patriotic fervor and use it to help victims' families and law enforcement. Their answer: Specialty memorial license plates emblazoned with the words, "We Will Never Forget." Part of the money raised through the sale of the plates was to fund scholarships for children of California residents who perished in the attacks, while the majority — 85 percent — was to help fund anti-terrorism efforts. But a review by The Associated Press of the $15 million...

Members of the House of Representatives are seeking to pass a bill that would create a National Rifle Association special license plate.

The multitude of mysteries revealed following the death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' death now includes one that puzzled car enthusiasts for years: How did Jobs get away with driving without a license plate? It was common knowledge that Jobs would park his Mercedes SL55 AMG in a handicapped spot at Apple's Cupertino, Calif., headquarters, with nothing to identify his vehicle other than the tiny barcode that usually rests behind the rear license plate. According to Walter Isaacson's new biography, Jobs wanted to avoid having a plate for privacy reasons; and yet when having a license-less silver Mercedes became a...

An old symbol with renewed popularity among tea partiers and other conservatives could soon appear on Oklahoma license plates. The Revolutionary War era Gadsden Flag, featuring a coiled rattlesnake on a yellow field and the words "Don't Tread on Me," was among the eight special tag themes approved by the Legislature this year. A specific design for the tag won't be approved until the minimum 100 orders are received by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The Gadsden Flag has been much in evidence at tea party events over the past few years, but Rep. Randy Terrill, R-Moore, said he did not...

Six years ago, on Dec. 14, Camp Pendleton Marine Cpl. Mike Anderson Jr. lost his life during house-to-house combat in the city of Fallujah, a seminal battle in the Iraq war. Last week, his father became the first person in California to be issued a "Gold Star" license plate in recognition of his family's loss. For the senior Anderson, the presentation Thursday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger capped a five-year-long effort to get California to join 45 other states that have made the plates available to families of troops killed in action. "It's an acknowledgment of the sacrifice of families left...

IN GOD WE TRUST: Virginia Bill is sponsored in the Assembly by Valley legislators, Sen. Mark Obenshain and Del. Dickie Bell andrequires at least 350 pre-filed applications to be on hand for approval, we are urging Valley residents to file their applications as soon as possible.

Want to publicly express solidarity with the spirit of the tea party movement and its principles of limited government, fiscal austerity and less taxation? Del. John O'Bannon has just the bill for you. At the request of constituents, the Henrico County Republican has filed legislation to establish a "Don't Tread On Me" license plate featuring the rattlesnake emblem and yellow background of the historic Gadsden Flag, which has become a rallying symbol for the tea party and like-minded conservative activists. 912 Richmond, a group under the umbrella of the Virginia Tea Party Patriots federation, is soliciting motorists to apply for...

"Don't Tread On Me" soon may become an oft-used expression on Virginia roads. A state lawmaker is proposing a bill to create a license plate for Virginians to express solidarity with the spirit of the Tea Party movement. At the request of constituents, Henrico County Republican Del. John O'Bannon has filed legislation to establish a "Don't Tread On Me" license plate. The plate features the rattlesnake emblem and yellow background of the historic Gadsden Flag, which has become a symbol for the Tea Party movement. The Virginian-Pilot reports that about 600 people have expressed interest in the plates through a...

techmuse writes "The San Jose Mercury News reports that the California state legislature wants to put electronic advertising on license plates. The plate would display standard plate information when the car is moving, but would also display ads when the car is stopped for more than 4 seconds (say, at a red light). Not distracting or annoying at all! 'The bill has received no formal opposition. It passed unanimously through the Senate last month and is scheduled to be heard Monday by the Assembly Transportation Committee.'"

MANVILLE, N.J. - A New Jersey woman whose license plates read "bioch" said the state is taking the plates back because someone filed a complaint. Kim Romano, 49, of Manville said the plates, bearing the slang term for "bitch," have been on her dark blue Chrysler convertible for four years without incident, but the state Motor Vehicle Commission sent her a notice saying a complaint had been filed and the plates were being recalled, The (Newark) Star-Ledger reported Wednesday. "The commission, in processing your request, erred and assigned a combination which is considered objectionable," Dodie Burrell, a supervisor in the...

A nonprofit group's effort to get a specialty New Jersey license plate with the tagline "Choose Life" has been revived by a federal appeals court. State officials argued that they have the right to reject plate slogans that may be deemed political, religious or otherwise controversial. A U.S. district judge agreed, dismissing a 2008 lawsuit filed the New York-based Children First Foundation. The group appealed, and a three-judge panel revived the suit yesterday on the grounds that the state's decision may have amounted to impermissible "viewpoint discrimination." "The court should have focused on whether the prohibition of certain advocacy messages...

Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) -- In what pro-life advocates are hailing as a brilliant legislative move, Virginia lawmakers stripped Planned Parenthood funding from its own bill to sponsor pro-abortion license plates. The plate bill now sends the proceeds from sales of the plate to a state fund that actually helps pregnant women.Money generated from the sales of the “Trust Women, Respect Choice" license plates was intended to go to the Planned Parenthood abortion business.When Democrat Delegate Robert Brink brought up the bill, on the House floor in preparation for today's final vote, the legislation said the Virginia League of Planned Parenthood...

Dear xxxxx, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia is pleased to announce that our 'Trust Women, Respect Choice' license plate is now available for pre-order. The funds generated from the sale of these plates will go directly to Planned Parenthood affiliates across the state to provide critical prevention services. Absolutely no revenue will go towards abortion-related care. Instead, the money will be used to provide annual gynecological exams, sexually transmitted infection testing, and follow-up care for underinsured and uninsured patients. Click here to learn more about Planned Parenthood's services. When the Virginia General Assembly convenes on January 13, 2010, Planned Parenthood...

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia is pleased to announce that Virginia's pro-choice license plate will soon be available for pre-order. The proceeds from the sale of these plates will go to Planned Parenthood affiliates in Virginia to provide comprehensive, reproductive health care, like annual gynecological exams and sexually transmitted infection testing. In order to move forward with the license plates, we must pre-sell 350 plates. We hope that you will be one of the many proud Virginians displaying the plate. To see a preview of the license plate, please click here. When the plate goes on sale, it can be...

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing Choose Life license plates on July 1, 2009, using the 481 pre-paid applications submitted by State Senator Ken Cuccinelli. Anticipating fabulous demand for the Choose Life plate, DMV and plate sponsor Richmond Coalition for Life encourage Virginia citizens who have not applied to apply directly on the DMV website starting July 2. The Richmond Coalition for Life (P.O. Box 17902 Richmond, VA 23226-7902) will however receive pre-paid applications, review them for completeness, and submit complete applications to DMV after the first week of July. The Choose Life Team expresses grateful appreciation...

Crist approves of Jesus, cross plates Created On: Monday, 27 Apr 2009, 5:11 PM EDT TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Gov. Charlie Crist says he would approve license plates with the image of a cross and an image of Jesus if they make it to his desk. The two plates are scheduled to be voted on by the Florida Senate but have been controversial. The plate that depicts a cross and the words "I Believe" is the subject of a lawsuit in South Carolina. Florida's American Civil Liberties Union says both plates violate the separation of church and state. Supporters argue denying...

Virginians soon will be able to choose a "Choose Life" license plate for their vehicles. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said yesterday that he has signed legislation that approves a number of specialty license plates, including one that bears the anti-abortion slogan. "The practice has been for the General Assembly to allow statements of social political positions on these license plates," the governor said. "The clear trend of [recent court] decisions was if the state allows plates that have messages . . . once a state does that, these plates should be allowed." Then-Gov. Mark R. Warner, a fellow Democrat, vetoed...

Oppose "Choose Life" License Plates Dear xxxxxx, This morning, the House Transportation Committee voted on a package of legislation that included Sen. Cuccinelli's 'Choose Life' License Plate. The bill, SB817, passed by a vote of 15-7. Click here to see how your Delegate voted. This is a disappointing blow to our efforts to defeat this bill, which would generate funds for crisis pregnancy centers around Virginia. On Monday, the House of Delegates will take a final vote on this legislation and be sure the anti's are making their voices heard. Please take a moment to send your legislator a message...

When a federal court decided that South Carolina could not issue Christian-themed license plates, it denied a long, historic and all-American tradition of cultural expression.

A federal judge says South Carolina must stop marketing and making license plates that feature the image of a cross and the words "I Believe." A federal judge issued a temporary injunction during a court hearing Thursday after opponents said the plates violate the separation of church and state. U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie said the case needs to be heard in court. In the meantime, the judge said the Department of Motor Vehicles cannot take any more orders for the plates.