Pro-life group applies for Wisconsin license plate
MADISON - A pro-life group is the first to apply for a Wisconsin special license plate following recent legislative action amending the process.
The public has until Nov. 13 to review a proposed license plate by Choose Life Wisconsin, Inc., a corporation formed by Wisconsin Family Action and Pro-Life Wisconsin.
If approved, the plate would be the first pro-life or pro-choice plate in the state.
Prior to Oct. 1, groups worked with legislators to sponsor a bill to authorize a plate, ultimately requiring approval by the Legislature and a signature from the governor. That changed with the passage of Act 227 in March. Now, any group can apply directly through the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
"It's definitely new," said Shaun Peterson, a supervisor with the DMV's Special Plates Unit, about the application process. "It's different than the way we've done it previously."
To apply, groups must pay a $15,500 development fee, collect 500 signatures from Wisconsin residents and complete an application form. After a review, the DMV will post the group's application online for public review for 30 days. If no Wisconsin residents object, the application is approved. If an objection is filed, it is forwarded for review to the transportation committees in both houses.
"The process is held out to any group or organization that wants to go through this application process," Peterson said.
State Rep. Dave Murphy, R-Greenville, was a co-sponsor of the legislation, which was signed into law in March.
"We have had lots of license plate bills come to us," Murphy said. "I looked at this and I thought, 'Why do we really need the legislator to approve these every time they come along?' If there was a process in place, people could use the process, and it would either be successful or it wouldn't."
Previous pro-life license plate efforts in Wisconsin have failed. In 2014, a bill, sponsored by state Rep. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, to create a "Choose Life" plate, passed in the Assembly but not in the Senate.
Neither Murphy nor Jacque signed Choose Life Wisconsin, Inc.'s application, but both said they support it.
"I certainly would have signed had I had the opportunity," Jacque said. " ... I think it's a fantastic cause. I certainly intend to get plates myself."
Special license plates differ from personalized license plates, which were first introduced in January 1979. The first special plate was introduced in 1995. Currently, there are more than 40 special plates available for purchase.
Peterson said the DMV does not discuss plate design with a group until the after the group becomes authorized to sponsor a plate. "At this point, this particular group is an applicant."
In its application, Choose Life Wisconsin, Inc. elected to collect annual $25 donations for issuance and renewal of each plate. The donations will be awarded to pregnancy resource centers in Madison, Milwaukee and Appleton's Womankind Medical Clinic.
Dan Miller, Pro-Life Wisconsin's state director, said the group is "absolutely thrilled and excited" to be able to apply for a license plate. The initiative is part of nationwide effort, shepherded by Choose Life America, Inc., to get pro-life plates in all 50 states.
"It's to promote a culture here in the state of Wisconsin, a way for pro-lifers in our great state to wear their convictions on not only their sleeve, but on the front and back of their car," he said.
Miller said the group has received more than 1,000 signatures, double the amount needed in the application process. The plate's left side would have an ink stamp of a baby's foot, Miller said. He calls it a "very straightforward plate," but he expects complaints.
Eliza Cussen, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice WI, said the proposed plate "is not in line with Wisconsin's progressive and law-abiding values."
"In the United States, abortion is legal," she said. "We have that right guaranteed. Choose Life Wisconsin is no ordinary charity group. They advocate to take away the rights of women. Wisconsin people need to stand up and say that's not okay, and it's not appropriate for the government to be aiding these people."
Murphy said the issue of abortion is "always going to be somewhat controversial."
"I think the statement they're making, 'Choose Life', is something people can choose to support or not support," he said.