Kaine elaborates on allowing ‘Choose Life’ license plates

Saying he wished Virginia didn't allow specialty plates of any kind, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine today again explained his decision to sign legislation that authorizes the issuance of a plate bearing the anti-abortion message "Choose Life."

The governor also defended his vetoes of a several bills passed by the 2009 General Assembly that sought to expand application of the death penalty for contract killings, the murder of auxiliary police and murders of certain first responders to emergencies.

"I don't think an expansion of the death penalty is needed to protect human life," Kaine told listeners during his monthly call-in radio program on WTOP in Washington.

Addressing the license plate issue, the governor reiterated his position that because Virginia allows specialty plates that bear social and political messages, the courts would not support denying a plate to any group if it meets the minimum requirements and is approved by the General Assembly.

"It is pretty clearly the case," he said, noting that decision to purchase a $25 specialty plate is strictly voluntary.

"It's all about choice," he said.

"I kind of wish Virginia didn't do this," he said.

The governor's choice could not have been a comfortable one.

Kaine is a Catholic who is personally opposed to abortion but said he would not interfere with existing laws protecting a woman's rights. He is also chairman of the Democratic National Committee, which supports a woman's right to choose.

Fellow Democrat Mark R. Warner, now Virginia's junior U.S. Senator, vetoed similar "Choose Life" legislation in 2003 while he served as governor.

Virginia joins 23 other states that issue "Choose Life" license plates. Kaine's decision angered abortion-rights groups, including the National Organization for Women and Planned Parenthood. It was applauded by social conservatives and anti-abortion organizations like the Family Foundation of Virginia.

Legislation seeking approval for the "Choose Life" plate initially failed to clear the Senate Transportation Committee on a tie vote. Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, R-Fairfax, later attached the measure to an omnibus bill that sought approval for several other specialty plates extolling the virtues of the Northern Neck and Shenandoah Valley.

The omnibus legislation passed easily in both the full Senate and House of Delegates and likely would have survived a gubernatorial veto.

Any group can apply for a specialty license plate. To be considered for issuance by the Department of Motor Vehicles, there must be proof that at least 350 people will purchase the plate, which costs $25. The legislation must pass the General Assembly and be signed by the governor.

In some cases, legislation designates a portion of the specialty plate fee to fund causes espoused by the groups seeking approval.

Legislation for the "Choose Life" plate calls for $15 of the fee of every plate sold over 1,000 to go toward crisis pregnancy centers which generally promote adoption and other alternatives to abortion.