TALLAHASSEE — The proposed Jesus license plate is drawing plenty of opposition, but count Gov. Charlie Crist as a supporter of both religious plates up for consideration in the Florida Senate.
Asked whether he'd veto legislation to create a license plate that depicts Jesus and one that depicts a cross in front of a stained-glass window, Crist said no way.
"I would not veto those. … No, I would not," Crist said.
So you don't have a problem with Jesus on a license plate?
Crist: "I don't. No."
What about separation of church and state?
Crist: "If they don't want one they don't have to buy one."
Is that state endorsement of religion?
"I think it … What's it say? 'In God We Trust' on every single piece of monetary, coins and paper we have? I think it's fine."
Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, now says he's thinking about taking the Jesus image off the proposed "Trinity" plate to benefit the Toomey Foundation for the Natural Sciences.
"Not that I don't like the idea," Siplin said. "I mean, I'm proud of Jesus."
Siplin said the thought now is to make the plate say "Trinity" with maybe a "cross, and some nails and a dove, do the trinity."
The mega license plate bill, SB 642, was not taken up Monday in the Senate as expected, but the House version (without either religious plate) passed 88-29.
Waiting when the Senate does get to the bill? Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson's new proposal for a "Can a Brotha Get a Break" plate to benefit state workers facing paycuts.
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