Michigan motorists may soon be able to support pregnancy centers via their back bumpers, but only if the centers don’t counsel patients on abortion.
Two Republican lawmakers, state Sen. Valde Garcia of St. Johns and state Rep. Gary Newell of Saranac, have introduced legislation that would allow drivers to buy a license plate that reads “Choose Life” for an extra $25 fee to be donated to nonprofit pregnancy crisis centers that don’t offer abortion options.
Garcia said his proposed plate is not meant to be confused with the pro-life political stance so closely related to the phrase. But pro-choice leaders aren’t so quick to believe him.
“Those plates would make a political statement that is anti-choice,” said Judy Karandjeff, public affairs director for Planned Parenthood of Michigan. “It’s our preference not to have such controversial slogans on license plates. But if (the legislators) do want that, at least they could show both sides.”
Garcia says the plates are no more political than Michigan’s specialty plates, which include lighthouse restoration, child abuse prevention and state universities, among others.
“Everything doesn’t have to be controversial, this is not about political statements,” Garcia said. “These crisis centers do great work, but a lot of time they are funded on a volunteer basis. I just thought this was a better way to help out. If you don’t believe in supporting life you don’t have to buy one.”
Newell’s bill is expected to be considered by the state House this week. However, Garcia said his bill may not go before the Senate until the governor expresses interest in creating more specialty plates.
State Rep. Judith Scranton, R-Brighton, suggested her House committee amend Newell’s proposal to create a pro-choice plate, but her motion was defeated.
Scranton said she will not support a bill that doesn’t create both plates, though she feels uneasy even about the nature of the plates.
“There are no other specialty plates that provide funding to private institutions,” she said. “There are bumper stickers for people who want to make political statements. Let them wallpaper their cars if they want to.”
A spokeswoman for Secretary of the State Candice Miller said her office has no position on the “Choose Life” plate and will issue any plate approved by the Legislature, so long as it supports a standard $10 service fee plus $25 for the cause.
“Choose Life” plates have been issued in several other states. While they have been popular with some, they have also created lawsuits.
Karandjeff said a lawsuit will be sought if Michigan begins to issue the plate.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
