Philosophical fight has specialty plates in danger

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Indianapolis Zoo is among dozens of non-profit groups statewide that could become victims of an apparent philosophical fight.

That fight began after the Bureau of Motor Vehicles approved a specialty plate that angered some lawmakers. But action the legislators took Wednesday could put an end to dozens of other specialty plates as well.

The Indianapolis Zoo's new specialty license plate went on sale for the first time in January. Jon Glesing, director of public relations, said several hundred have already been ordered.

"We had overwhelming support with the petition they filed last year to get this process rolling,” he said. “It seemed to make such sense for us to be involved in all of this, and all the not-for-profits."

But the Statehouse transportation committee on Wednesday put an amendment in a senate bill that would stop the sale of all 10 specialty license plates approved for sale for the first time this year, which includes the zoo’z, along with plates from the NRA and the Tony Stewart Foundation. It also would end any plate that didn't sell at least 1,000 last year. In addition, any new plates would have to be approved by state lawmakers – not just the BMV.

Glesing said the zoo followed the law but might still be penalized.

"It's a $40 fee to get any of the specialty plates. In our case, $25 dollars of the $40 goes directly to the food and medical care of the animals at the Indianapolis Zoo. So you're talking a potential of a real hit to our bottom line," he said.

While the zoo and other specialty plates could be hit hard by the law if it passes, it appears the specialty license plate at the heart of the controversy is sponsored by Indiana Youth Group, with the money going to help children who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. A local conservative group has been asking its members to lobby legislators to get rid of the plate.

Wednesday was the first day the committee considered the specialty plate amendment. It now heads to the full House for consideration. If it passes, the bill would not affect specialty plates for colleges and universities or government.