Governor signs bill to create 'Choose Life' license plate

RICHMOND

Virginia will join 23 states with a "Choose Life" license plate, much to the chagrin of abortion-rights advocates.

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Monday that he has signed legislation creating the special license plate, which was sought by conservative legislators and anti-abortion activists.

The Democratic governor said that the General Assembly decided years ago to allow special plates with controversial political and social messages, and that the "Choose Life" license plate should be treated the same.

Among the more than 200 specialty license plates Virginia lawmakers have approved, Kaine noted, are "Sons of Confederate Veterans," "Friends of Tibet" and "Fight Terrorism."

Kaine said the state should not discriminate over issuing special plates espousing widely accepted points of view.

He said free-speech mandates would now require Virginia to issue a specialty plate for Planned Parenthood should the abortion-rights group seek one.

But the organization has no such plans. "Planned Parenthood of Virginia is extremely disappointed with Gov. Kaine's decision," said Jessica Honke, director of public policy for the state group.

"The fact that the governor and the General Assembly wasted time and resources debating whether or not to further fund deceptive, nonmedical establishments is shameful," she said. "Virginia will now have a national reputation as a state that puts ideological policies before women's health."

Kaine's action was lauded by The Family Foundation, a socially conservative lobby in Virginia, and the Virginia Society for Human Life.

The license plates, which will sell for $25 a set, are likely to generate money for the anti-abortion movement.

Proceeds from the first 1,000 sold go to the state. After that, $15 from each sale will be paid to Heartbeat International Inc., according to the legislation.

The anti-abortion organization, based in Columbus, Ohio, will distribute the money to pregnancy crisis centers it is affiliated with in Virginia that counsel against abortion.

"This law will guarantee that more women will receive responsible assistance and information about adoption and other help when making a decision about a difficult pregnancy," said Olivia Gans, president of the Virginia Society for Human Life.

The bill, SB817, was introduced by Sen. Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland. It passed the House and Senate by wide, veto-proof margins.

Kaine has said that he personally opposes abortion but does not think the procedure should be outlawed.

Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com