NASHVILLE - Religious-minded Tennesseans would be able to display their views on state-issued license plates under a state Senate bill that passed Monday.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Paul Bailey, R-Sparta, would make plates carrying the national motto, "In God We Trust," an alternative to the standard tag. Purchasers would not have to pay a specialty tag fee.
Senate Minority Leader Lee Harris, D-Memphis, objected, saying that for a special license plate, "you have to pay extra." Sporting an "In God We Trust" tag on their vehicle is an "option that motorists take because they desire" to do so, Harris said.
The bill, which is still moving in the House, originally began as an effort to make the "In God We Trust" tag the state's standard issue plate. The House sponsor, Rep. Bill Sanderson, R-Kenton, said those who didn't want that could pay more to get a specialty tag if they preferred.
But Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery said in a legal opinion that would be unconstitutional and Sanderson and Bailey amended their bill to give residents the option to choose between the current tag and the new one at no extra cost.
A number of states now have the "In God We Trust" plate as a no-additional-cost alternative to their existing standard tag.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550. Follow on twitter @AndySher1.