Fla. may approve Confederate plates

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Florida drivers would have the option of "Confederate Heritage" license plates for their vehicles if a bill before the state Legislature passes.

"It's a part of our history, whether we like it or not," Rep. Don Brown, a Republican from the Panhandle, told Florida Today.

"I appreciate the heritage and the good things that people feel about our past."

The Sons of Confederate Veterans has been pushing for the Stars and Bars plates. Car owners would pay $25 extra for the specialty plates, with profits going to educational programs run by the organization, maintenance of Civil War veterans' graves and museums.

The plates would bear a confederate flag and pictures of buttons from a Confederate Army uniform.

State Sen. Al Lawson, a Tallahassee Democrat, said he expects Gov. Charlie Crist, a moderate Republican, to block the bill. Florida could experience the same kind of controversies other states have seen when attempts were made by blacks and others to get Confederate flags removed from state buildings.

"It doesn't make sense to create this kind of divisiveness in the legislative session," he said.