AUGUSTA (AP) – A state legislator said he has cleared the first hurdle to creating specialty license plates aimed at showing support for troops.

Rep. Donald Pilon, D-Saco, submitted more than 2,000 signatures to the state from motorists who say they would buy the plates.

Now he’s trying to raise $40,000 by Sept. 1 to meet a state rule requiring him to cover the startup costs. The plates would feature a yellow ribbon superimposed on an outline of the state. At the bottom would be the words, “We Support Our Troops.”

Even if he raises the money, the Legislature has final say on specialty licenses. And the proposal could be contentious because many critics view the plate’s “support-our-troops” message as a message of support for the war in Iraq.

Pilon said he opposes the war but he acknowledged that some Mainers might view the license plate’s message in a different light.

One opponent of the Iraq war said the proposed plate is a bad idea. The state should not do anything that might be construed as supporting the war, said Doug Rawlings of Chesterville, the president of one of two Maine chapters of Veterans for Peace.

“I think, generally, the state should stay out of the business of making political statements on license plates,” added Shenna Bellows of the Maine Civil Liberties Union.

But Bill Libby, adjutant general of the Maine National Guard, backed Pilon’s efforts. He said Mainers can “disagree with what we’re doing” in Iraq but “recognize that the young men and women who are serving are just doing their jobs.”

If Pilon collects the $40,000 required by the state, the secretary of state would then submit a bill to the Legislature seeking permission to issue the specialty plate. Pilon said he has raised about $10,000 so far.

Money from the extra $20 cost of the specialty plates and $15 for subsequent renewals would go to a fund administered by an eight-member board representing the National Guard, the Reserves, the Legislature and the public.

The goal, Pilon said, is to help cash-strapped National Guard and Reserve families cover emergency costs like heating-oil purchases.

“In many cases, we’ve taken the provider from the home,” creating financial difficulties for the remaining family members, Pilon said. “This is merely to take care of the families and the children,” he added.

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, https://www.pressherald.com

AP-ES-06-28-06 0215EDT