Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Bumper pride

Published (4/15/2010)
By Lee Ann Schutz
Share on: 



Rep. Bernie Lieder, chairman of the House Transportation Finance and Policy Division, hopes to control what he calls the proliferation of special license plates. He sponsors a bill that would place stricter controls on production of the plates and force the retirement of plates that have few in service. (Photo by Tom Olmscheid)Want people to know you are a graduate of the College of St. Benedict? There’s a license plate for that.

How about showing your love for Minnesota’s habitat? There are plates for that.

What about displaying your purple pride? There’s no plate for that yet, but the idea is being floated as part of a funding mix for a new Vikings stadium.

Depending on how you count them, there are about 74 types of special motor vehicle plates available displaying everything from college logos, the state flower to citizen-band radio call letters. In fiscal year 2009, 65,367 special plates were issued, and the total number of vehicles registered with special plates was 513,035.

It’s a situation that the chairman of the House Transportation Finance and Policy Division thinks has gotten out of hand. Rep. Bernie Lieder (DFL-Crookston) is just as proud of his military service as the next veteran, but is a plate needed for every branch of service, nearly every medal or every war? He doesn’t think so.

If he had his way, people would display their pride with bumper stickers, and the only vehicle plate available would be the generic Minnesota blue and white plate. This isn’t about the personalized plates, as these have only letters and numbers, he said. It’s the graphics on the specialty plates that are a problem.

“It’s a safety issue,” Lieder said. “The plates have so much on them that you can’t read them.” State statute requires that a plate can be read from a distance of 100 feet.

State Patrol Maj. Michele Tuchner agrees. “At a hit-and-run or with a gas drive-off you only get a moment to identify the plate, and sometimes it is hard to identify even the state because you could be distracted by the graphics on the plate.” She said that years ago, most states had only one plate, and “you could tell right away which state (it was from).”

Lieder sponsors HF3524 that would spell out criteria for issuing special plates and provide a process for mothballing plates that have few takers. Ironically, it also expands the eligibility for the Combat Wounded license plate to a Purple Heart recipient who is still serving in the military, rather than just veterans. It awaits action on the House floor. The companion, SF3232, sponsored by Sen. Steve Murphy (DFL-Red Wing) awaits action by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Lieder’s feelings about special plates are so well known around the Capitol that he said some members try to bypass his division with their plate requests and stick them in other omnibus bills. Even the governor has proposed special plates.

“I don’t want to be a dictator, but there is a process that should be followed,” he said.

But how do you say no to special plate requests from the American Red Cross, Special Olympics, square dancers, junior golf, the Minnesota Twins and especially veterans groups?

It isn’t easy, Lieder said. “It’s an emotional issue for those involved with the group.”

High profile fund-raiser

There’s the matter of economics with special license plates.

Specialty license plates generate money for the organization or agency sponsoring the plate.

For instance, there are more than 128,000 critical habitat plates positioned on Minnesota vehicles. Each plate generates a $30 annual contribution to a special Department of Natural Resources fund. Since 1996, the plates have generated approximately $18 million.

Debuting in December 2005, the approximate 33,000 Support our Troops license plates have brought in about $420,000 for a special military families and veterans fund.

But there are other beneficiaries from plate proceeds. For instance, the approximate 2,835 license plates issued for the various colleges require a minimum $25 annual contribution to the college’s scholarship fund from the purchaser.

While Lieder hasn’t seen a specialty plate proposal as of yet from the Vikings, he speculates they are banking there are enough fans out there willing to spend a little extra for a new stadium.

“The genie is out of the bottle,” said Rep. Terry Morrow (DFL-St. Peter), who likes specialty plates and has three requests, including one to “Support Highway 14.” The plate would draw attention to the upgrades needed on the road that runs through his district. Funds generated from the sale of the plate would go into a fund for the road’s reconstruction. Morrow’s bill, HF2573, awaits a hearing in Lieder’s division. Its companion SF3077, sponsored by Sen. Kathy Sheran (DFL-Mankato), awaits action by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Morrow, however, understands Lieder’s frustration, but thinks there can be some middle ground on the issue. He says the public safety issue is valid, but that could be addressed with stricter criteria for the plates.

Who picks up the tab?

Another rub for Lieder is that the state doesn’t recoup its administrative expenses for tracking and expending the money to the beneficiaries.

Manufactured by MINNCOR Industries, a prison inmate work program, the production, manufacturing and delivery cost of each set of plates is $6.18, the same as a regular license plate, according the Lieder.

Current law requires a plate request be submitted to the Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division along with a $20,000 fee to cover the application review and plate development. However, Lieder said that there are ways around the process and the fee — that’s through legislation. His bill would tighten the requirements and require a report to the Legislature about a new plate, if it is approved.

The bill also clarifies procedures for retiring plates, and Lieder plays no favorites. The plate benefiting the University of Minnesota, Crookston, located in his district, is an example of one that should be retired, he said, because there are only five plates in service.

The law allows the public safety commissioner to discontinue special plates with fewer than 1,000 sets registered, but Lieder said he’s not aware of any that have been discontinued. It also clarifies that the discontinuance applies to future issuances of plates and duplicates, so that people already having a discontinued plate can keep it on their vehicle for the remaining normal length of time (typically seven years total).

Several plates besides the University of Minnesota Crookston have fewer than 10 in use. They include:

• Concordia University – 8

• Macalester College - 4

• College of St. Benedict; Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota- each with 3;

• Medal of Honor -1

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


Interim Update: Disaster relief enacted
Brief special session ends with $80 million flood, storm aid package
(view full story) Published 10/19/2010

Never a dull moment
Surprises, challenges mark unusual 2010 legislative session
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

RIP: Bills that didn’t make it
Some die quietly, others go out with a bang
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

Art of compromise is the heart of politics
Bipartisan teamwork builds better bills
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

Reformer at heart
Brod walking away from the Legislature, but will keep putting out new ideas
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

One more goal in his playbook
Emmer leaving House in hopes of scoring the state’s top job
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

Retiring from public service — again
After helping others for 48 years, Haws to focus on family needs
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

Fulfilling her ‘deal’
Kelliher leaving House after a dozen years, maybe not the Capitol
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

Excited for a new opportunity
Kohls leaves the House with fond memories, optimism about future
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

Agriculture advocate bids adieu
Otremba stepping down after 13 years to focus on family, friends
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

Minnesota Index: the 2010 session
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
(view full story) Published 6/1/2010

‘A decade is a long time’
Eastlund is ready to let someone else take the reins
(view full story) Published 5/6/2010

Magnus will run for state Senate
Says activist influences are detrimental to good of state
(view full story) Published 5/6/2010

First Hmong House member shifts focus
Thao’s family and business to get more of his time
(view full story) Published 5/6/2010

Erring on the side of openness
Open meeting law could include advisory board actions
(view full story) Published 4/29/2010

Demmer winds down fourth, final term
Former corn farmer plans to keep lending an ear to constituents
(view full story) Published 4/29/2010

Time for a change
Bigham takes a break from the House, but not from public service
(view full story) Published 4/22/2010

Leaving before his self-imposed limit
Severson looks to continue work on election reform as secretary of state
(view full story) Published 4/22/2010

Bumper pride
Specialty license plates generate pride, funds and headaches
(view full story) Published 4/15/2010

Seifert concludes 14-year House career
He’s strived to serve “conscience, constitution and constituents”
(view full story) Published 4/15/2010

Energized to follow a different path
Bar exam, ski trip are in Kalin’s immediate future
(view full story) Published 4/15/2010

Ensuring good management
Twelve legislators decide which programs legislative auditor will evaluate
(view full story) Published 4/8/2010

Legislative powers
Giving legislators a chance to call themselves into special session
(view full story) Published 4/8/2010

Unallotment upheaval
Potential modifications to governor’s power gets House committee approval
(view full story) Published 2/18/2010

Hard times hit home
As one lawmaker joins the ranks of the unemployed, House leaders push jobs proposals
(view full story) Published 2/11/2010

State of the State: Laying out his recovery plan
Pawlenty promotes tax cuts, job growth in final State of the State address
(view full story) Published 2/11/2010

Opening Day: 86th Legislative Session
House reconvenes and hits the ground running
(view full story) Published 2/4/2010

Minnesota Index: Session 2010
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
(view full story) Published 2/4/2010

First Reading: No easy fixes
The 2009 session ends with many questions left unanswered
(view full story) Published 5/29/2009

At Issue: State government funding signed
New law strengthens accountability of stimulus funds received by the state
(view full story) Published 5/29/2009

Governor's Desk
Bills not acted upon in 2009 could come to life in 2010
(view full story) Published 5/29/2009

Minnesota Index: 2009 session
Figures and statistics on the 2009 legislative session
(view full story) Published 5/29/2009

First Reading: Letting the sunshine in
Is the push to transparency clouding the session end game?
(view full story) Published 5/15/2009

At Issue: Budget cuts for state government
Conference committee removes some controversy from finance bill
(view full story) Published 5/15/2009

Minnesota Index: Government in Minnesota
Figures and statistics on state and local government
(view full story) Published 5/15/2009

First Reading: Hammering out an agreement
Conference committees have sometimes unpopular task of compromise
(view full story) Published 5/8/2009

Resources: From beginning to end
Tracking bills is just a mouse click away
(view full story) Published 5/8/2009

At Issue: Tightening the belt
Less funding, more accountability in omnibus state government finance bill
(view full story) Published 4/24/2009

First Reading: Protecting public dollars
Lawmakers push for better financial controls at state agencies
(view full story) Published 4/17/2009

At Issue: Making technology accessible
Lawmakers want to open state Web sites to individuals who are deaf, blind or hard-of-hearing
(view full story) Published 4/3/2009

First Reading: Looking to the past
Division hears New Deal‘s controversial story
(view full story) Published 2/27/2009

Feature: Getting an earful
Legislators fan out across the state to hear budget deficit problems, solutions
(view full story) Published 2/27/2009

New Member: From tragedy to high hopes
Hayden hopes to effect big change
(view full story) Published 2/20/2009

New Member: A passion for local issues
Reinert plans to be ‘an advocate and a partner’ for Duluth
(view full story) Published 2/20/2009

Feature: Is there a page in the House?
They ‘do what needs to be done’
(view full story) Published 2/13/2009

New Member: Former teacher returns
Davids is happy to be back after hiatus
(view full story) Published 2/13/2009

New Member: From NYC to Minnesota
Business brought Doepke to state, led to public service
(view full story) Published 2/13/2009

New Member: Keeping it local
Anderson wants to help constituents from a different chair
(view full story) Published 2/6/2009

New Member: Facing complex problems
For Champion, jobs are the starting point
(view full story) Published 2/6/2009

New Member: Planning for the future
Downey hopes to offer proactive ideas for state’s future
(view full story) Published 2/6/2009

New Member: 'Honesty, common sense'
‘Honesty, common sense’
(view full story) Published 2/6/2009

New Member: Altitude adjustment
Ag and water issues linked for Torkelson
(view full story) Published 2/6/2009

New Member: A young, rural voice
Falk to keep push for renewable energy policies
(view full story) Published 1/30/2009

New Member: A political education
After years of teaching about politics, Kath leads by example
(view full story) Published 1/30/2009

New Member: The deficit is top priority
Kelly promotes fiscal responsibility
(view full story) Published 1/30/2009

New Member: A global view in St. Paul
Mack was page, intern, now member
(view full story) Published 1/30/2009

New Member: Honored to serve
Sanders focuses on kitchen-table issues
(view full story) Published 1/30/2009

New Member: Waiting years for his seat
Sterner looks to prove his bipartisan background
(view full story) Published 1/30/2009

At Issue: Leading by example
At their own ‘House,’ legislators take cost-saving measures to heart
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

New Member: Doing greater good
Jackson views public service as a calling
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

New Member: A heritage of involvement
Kiffmeyer brings lifelong work ethic to her seat
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

New Member: Passionate about business
Loon calls for economic recovery through job creation
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

New Member: No shortcut to service
Newton relishes opportunity to make tough decisions
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

New Member: Working to unite
Obermueller hopes to represent by connecting
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

New Member: Walking the talk
Persell models stewardship of the environment
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

New Member: Making a difference
Tired of complaining, Rosenthal decided to get involved
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

New Member: Taking the chance
With open seat, Scott knew now is her time to serve
(view full story) Published 1/23/2009

At Issue: The state of our state
Tax cuts, wage freezes on governor’s list to help budget
(view full story) Published 1/16/2009

Feature: Opening day
Occasion gives legislators reason to pause, appreciate democracy at work
(view full story) Published 1/9/2009

At Issue: Beyond the budget
Assistant leaders optimistic about accomplishing more than solving the money woes
(view full story) Published 1/9/2009

Minnesota Index: Minnesota House 2009
Figures and statistics on the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2009.
(view full story) Published 1/9/2009