Special license plates may be discontinued

Special license plates used by a variety of groups for fund-raising may no longer be allowed.

A majority of the House Republican caucus, in an informal straw poll Thursday, voted in favor of capping the special group license plates at only those currently allowed. Such a cap would help legislators avoid deciding on "Choose Life" and "Respect Choice" plates, thus avoiding the choice of either approving a pro-choice plate or facing a freedom of speech lawsuit.

"I really think that we open ourselves up to a lot of fringe groups," Rep. Marda Dillree, R-Farmington, said. "This is a wonderful cause, but we don't want to open the door."

Along with controversial political plates, the cap would also mean that fund-raising plates for five other groups, including the State Railroad Museum and Future Farmers of America, would not be approved. Rep. Michael Morley, R-Spanish Fork, who is sponsoring the "Choose Life" plate because the money goes to adoption education, said he was willing to substitute his bill with the cap.