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TagsState hoping team pride will raise cash for budget
BY ALICIA CRUZ
NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
If you love the New Jersey Nets or the New Jersey Devils and you want to show it, you'll get the chance to do that and contribute a few dollars to the New Jersey State budget at the same time.
The state Legislature passed a bill to create vanity license plates in an effort to raise $1 million for the states budget. Other states already offer team plates. New York went a step further and offered a commemorative plate that celebrated the Yankees championship.
While the bill seemed like a good way to generate money, some lawmakers aren't as optimistic that the move would serve as a way to raise money for the state's budget or at least the kind of money the Bill's sponsors have promised. Governor Christie's original budget proposal suggested the plates could raise $2 million.
Assemblyman Robert Schroeder, who sponsored bill A3009, told NorthJersey.com said he would choose a Giants plate over the Assembly plate and added that the bill would allow the Motor Vehicle Commission to contract with pro sports teams.
The plates would be made-to-order and available for any team in the country, said Schroeder. Assemblyman Schroeder said he thought the plates would cost $60 each, with an extra $100 charge for further personalization, but ultimately, prices for the license plates will be set by the motor vehicles commissioner.
But the issue strikes at a sore point, especially with those who don't like the fact that the Giants and Jets use New York in their name while playing in a New Jersey home.
New Jersey assemblywoman Joan Quigley said if she were driving and saw a New Jersey license plate sporting a New York Giants logo, "I'm probably going to ram that car," NorthJersey.com reported.
New Jersey already offers 47 specialized plates recognizing New Jersey's history, wildlife and parks, various military designations, organizations and colleges. None, however, are used to raise revenue.
Officials say the state must reach royalty agreements with teams before the plates can be made available for purchase and negotiations with sports franchises are already in motion, said Mike Horan, a spokesman for the Motor Vehicles Commission who added that it may be Fall before fans could purchase their favorite team plates.
Click HERE to read about NJ Bill A3009
