Since the start of the 2014 Louisiana Legislative Session, there have been a total of 13 bills filed to create 13 new prestige license plates dedicated to different organizations and designs.
However, some students are saying that the numerous bills designated for license plates are a waste of time for lawmakers.
“We should stop focusing on the license plates on the back of cars [and instead] focus on how we are going to pay for our cars,” said Andrew Cowan, a freshman psychology major.
Some of the proposed bills have the income collected for the prestige license plates going towards research for the enhancement of community environments.
If the “JDRF” special prestige license plate for the La. Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation were passed, all the funds collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles would be forwarded to the La. Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or its successor organization to improve the lives of all people affected by Type 1 Diabetes.
“I feel like there are enough organizations in place to where we wouldn’t have to focus on that perspective,” said Derrick Faucheux, junior sports management major, describing how the license plates are not needed to help fund causes raising money for research.
Other proposals stipulate that the money collected be used solely for the purpose of raising awareness. The “Down Syndrome Awareness” special prestige license plate would require that money collected by the department be forwarded to the Down Syndrome Association of Acadian, or its successor organization to be used solely to promote the interests of persons with Down Syndrome and their families through advocacy and public awareness.
“The ones to raise awareness are worth it, but if not, then no,” said Connie Adams, a freshman pre-veterinarian major.
Some of the bills like that of the “Lung Cancer Alliance” special prestige license plate have all money collected by the department forwarded to the Lung Cancer Alliance or its successor organization to solely be used for the support of programs established and administered by the Lung Cancer Alliance in Louisiana. No clear distinction of how the money will be used for the support of programs has been made.
“If an organization goes through the proper channels and it is not obscene then it is okay [to pass these bills],” said Jacob Currier, senior history major.
All 13 proposals have already been considered by the Louisiana House Committee of Transportation, Highways and Public Works.