Indiana wins lawsuit over "In God We Trust" plate

Djaughe · April 18th, 2008, 11:32 AM

Geez this ruling can open up a can of worms....Next thing you know they will be printing it on our money.

Quote:

April 18, 2008

BMV wins lawsuit over 'God' plateJudge dismisses ACLU's case over state's failure to charge extra for tag

By Jon Murray

A judge has halted a lawsuit over Indiana's popular "In God We Trust" license plate, ruling the state can sell it without charging an extra $15 fee.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana argued that without the fee, the plate was elevated above others bearing messages supporting the environment, education and other causes.

Introduced last year by state law, the "In God We Trust" plate is carried by more than 1.6 million vehicles.

Marion Superior Court Judge Gary Miller's ruling, issued Wednesday, says the plate is different from special group recognition plates that carry the administrative fee. Those often require a contribution to a group or university and require special handling by the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The "In God We Trust" plate, the ruling says, "was designed by a process similar to the Standard Plate, mass-produced like the Standard Plate, and widely distributed like the Standard Plate based on consistently high sales."

Miller granted the BMV's motion for summary judgment against the ACLU and plaintiff Mark E. Studler, Allen County. ACLU of Indiana Legal Director Ken Falk said the organization planned to appeal the ruling.

DWKB · April 18th, 2008, 11:35 AM

Are you allowed to deduct the $15 fee (or a portion of it) for the environ, state school, or other causes from your taxes as they are basically contributions?

Ruling makes sense to me, but it would seem that there should be a tax break for the "cause" plates.

I wonder what the number of sales needs to be for a particular special plate to become offered free of charge.

UncleChris · April 18th, 2008, 05:42 PM

"Marion Superior Court Judge Gary Miller..."

Well, shoot!!! If Judge Miller says it's ok, the ACLU should walk away and just feel lucky to get away with their skin!!!

P.S. As a native Hoosier, I get to make bad Indiana jokes....

justAndy · April 19th, 2008, 04:08 PM

Hello from Indianapolis!
I'm out in the midwest with my band and I've seen a LOT of these plates.
I think they're lame, but as they neither pick my pocket nor break my leg, I don't care.
It's apparent that the midwest is different from the west.
Folks here seem nice enough.