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Georgia, Florida in vanity plate battle
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ATLANTA — What’s good for Gator fans in Georgia should be good enough for Bulldogs loyalists in Florida.
Georgia state lawmakers are weighing in on the war over vanity alumni license plates.
A bill being introduced in the Georgia Legislature would stipulate that the state would only issue alumni tags for out-of-state schools if the other state returned the favor.
The bill comes amid news that the University of Florida — one of the University of Georgia’s biggest rivals — had its application for a Georgia state tag featuring the Gators approved. They’re just waiting for 1,000 alumni to plunk down $25 apiece to get the plates printed.
That irks state Senator Eric Johnson and state Representative Barry Fleming. They say it’s near impossible to get a Georgia tag in Florida.
Tennessee has a procedure for awarding specialty plates that requires the passing of legislation and a commitment that at least 1,000 plates will be purchased, Sophie Moery of the state Department of Revenue said. It has no special rules concerning alumni plates, and those for numerous colleges and universities are available including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt of the SEC. View Tennessee's available collegiate plates at http://state.tn.us/revenue/vehicle/licenseplates/college/college.htm
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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Posted by NatiVol on February 11, 2008 at 1 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Are there not "U of Alabama" plates in Tennessee? I have ofter wondered how that happens.
Posted by VolnDothan on February 11, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FINALLY! Someone brings up this issue! I have lived in Alabama since graduation from UTK. For years, I go back home to Tennessee and have to see Alabama, Florida, Auburn, etc. logos on my home state's license plates. Each year when I go in to the DMV to renew my plates I hope and pray that Alabama has finally reciprocated....WRONG!
Here's my proposal; If the state's DMV doesn't reciprocate the gesture with our logo, then their school's logo isn't allowed on our plate.
Posted by TurboFan on February 11, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't a bumper sticker or a magnet cheaper? Never understood vanity plate mania.
Posted by AlpharettaVol on February 11, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Florida isn't the only school trying to get plates in Georgia. The Tenn Alumni Assn is also working on this. We currently have about 800 of the required 1,000 applications and should get over the hump this spring. If you live in Georgia and would like to see the Power T on plates around the state, contyact the UT Alumni Assn and see how you can make application.
Posted by orangebloodgmc on February 11, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Do their plates say, "We ALMOST won the SEC East!" ?
Posted by CrimsonTide on February 11, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Putting an Alabama tag on your car just gives a Tennessee resident an opportunity to improve himself. Actually, I consider a Tennessean with a Bama license plate to be a social climber.
Posted by HotlantaVol on February 11, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Atlanta UT Alums have been driving the last few months to get Power-T plates in GA. They have been trying to hurry to beat this legislation to the vote. Although Tennessee has UGA plates as an option, the legislation apparently vastly increases the number of hoops one would have to jump through to add a vanity plate option. That's the reason I signed up for them. If Tennessee offers UGA, GA should offer UT. Otherwise, I am not a vanity plate kind of person. I will likely not renew the vanity plate after the first year if it pushes through. I just think it should be an option for future Vol fans who are forced to live in GA. I'm taking one for the team so to speak.
Posted by vol4jesus on February 11, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its a pride thing....a kinda in your face while I live here somewhat.
Posted by volster on February 11, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No Crimson, it just gives the State of Tennessee an opportunity to make money off of stupid bama fans.
Posted by rckymtngator on February 11, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are Florida Gator license plates in Alabama, they say "Most SEC Championships since Bear Bryant Died".
Since most Alabama residents struggle with any word larger than 4 letters, they will never allow "Tennessee or Volunteers" on a plate.
Posted by pdhuff on February 11, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I proudly bought a Vol vanity plate when I moved back from Ga in 2003. I just as proudly retired it when I discovered they wanted to tack on another +$40.00 or so every time you renewed. Thanks but no thanks. The first time fine, but not to nail you again for the same plate.
Thought about running it on the front in 2005 but realized it was already touting a 7 yr old event.
Posted by GIVEHIMSIX on February 11, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We don't give a damn for the whole state of Georgia (or Florida), we're from Tennessee.
Posted by Tenn_Dawg on February 11, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Each state should offer rival vanity plates if enough people want them and charge those that do $50 to obtain them. If it is that important to you have a your school license plate on your car then you should be able fork out the extra money. You get your nifty little license plate and the state gets it's extra money. For me personally a small "G" decal ($1.99) placed in the window works just fine.
Posted by AlpharettaVol on February 11, 2008 at 2:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Looks like the Georgia Legislature is more interested in messing with college athletics than doing anything about water, schools, taxes, roads or anything else that is a problem in the state. My butt has been in Georgia for many years (unfortunately) but my heart is still in Tennessee.
Posted by KennesawVol on February 11, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AlpharettaVol,
Please give me the name/number of the local chapter of the Alumni Assn. I'd like to reserve 2 plates for my cars. Thanks.
Posted by tennecwingrider on February 11, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alpharetta Vol, contact me at tennecwingrider@yahoo.com and I will send you the contact info.
Posted by tnvolsr1st on February 11, 2008 at 11:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This must be the same problem we have in Virginia. We cannot get TN vanity plates, although every other school on the east coast is represented.
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