‘One Nation Under God’ license plate clears Senate
NASHVILLE — The Senate endorsed a new license plate Wednesday touting the country as “One Nation Under God” and another backing a religious group, above objections from one senator that the state could end up back in court over the program.
Last year, a federal court struck down an anti-abortion license plate set up earlier by the Legislature.
The court ruled the with the American Civil Liberties Union, which was arguing that Tennessee was engaging in “viewpoint discrimination” by picking which side of the abortion issue to allow license plates for.
While that case is being appealed, Sen. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis, argued that lawmakers shouldn’t be setting up more license plates that could result in expensive lawsuits for the state.
He said it cost about $100,000 defending the legal challenge on the abortion plates.
“I think the federal judge made it very clear that we shouldn’t get in the business of promoting religion,” Cohen said.
The measures easily passed Wednesday with unanimous support as Cohen abstained from the vote.
The “One Nation Under God” plate, according to the bill, would embody “both the rich and diverse religious heritage and the democratic form of government of this state and nation.”
And a plate set up for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes would assist the religious group that has chapters in high schools and colleges.
Sen. Thelma Harper, D-Nashville, said she doesn’t think the state will get in any trouble over the “One Nation Under God” plate she sponsored.
“There are no complaints about uplifting the name of God,” she said. “We do live in one nation under God. If it ends up in court, I think we will prevail.”
The measures still have to make it through the House.
There are a number of proposals for new license plates, including one for members of the National Rifle Association, another setting up a plate celebrating the Tennessee cave salamander, and another for smallmouth bass or whitetail deer.
Before a new plate is actually issued, 1,000 people must pledge $35 each for purchase.
The plates began two decades ago as a way to help fund the Tennessee Arts Commission, which receives 40 percent of the additional $35 the plates cost.
Since then, the plates have grown in popularity.
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On the Net:
http://www.tennessee.gov/safety/plates.html
See Senate bills 1983 and 2028 at www.legislature.state.tn.us/