This week began with Republican Rep. Bob Morris attacking the Girl Scouts, and ended with Orly Taitz bringing her birther circus to the Indiana House. Needless to say, it's been a strange week.
In the midst of this silliness, though, the Indiana House of Representatives took yet another step to attack the most vulnerable in our society. The Roads and Transportation Committee advanced a bill cracking down on specialty license plates, which is, on its face, neutral. This legislation, though, is clearly intended to crack down on the unimaginable horrors caused by the Indiana Youth Group specialty license plate.
What is the Indiana Youth Group? Although I'm no doubt overly simplifying its services, it serves as a support group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth. In other words, it supports children at a time when they may need support and a safe environment the most.
Of course, no one is required to purchase the IYG plate. As with any of the other specialty plates for nonprofits in Indiana, it's an optional purchase for $40, with $25 going to IYG. Still, the self-proclaimed "small government" Republican majority wants to create standards that would all but make it impossible for IYG to retain its plate. The "small government" crowd in the Indiana House wants to take the decision to approve specialty plates away from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and return it to the legislature.
Although we have had, unfortunately, numerous occasions so far this year to remind us why we have to take back our State government this November, this week certainly ranks near the top. This is why we're working hard to ensure that Mike Pence never becomes Governor, and why I'm working hard to defeat an ALEC chair in our House of Representatives.
Thankfully, this session is almost over.