ATLANTA - Distribution of a new, Internet-friendly Georgia license tag will be limited because of the state's budget crisis, officials said.
State Department of Motor Vehicle Safety officials said Monday the new license plates which will display the state's Web site, ``www.GEORGIA.gov'', across the top of the plate will go to new residents, commercial vehicle owners and certain specialty license holders.
That would include anyone with wildlife, commemorative, college, military, veterans or other specialty plates.
By doing this, the state will save $7.8 million in the next three years, the department said. State departments have been ordered to cut spending this year and next by a total of 7.5 percent.
``Not replacing usable license plates is cost-effective but not a hardship for Georgia citizens,'' said Marty Horne, interim commissioner for the department.
Operators of other vehicles, including trailers, standard passenger and government vehicles, will be given a decal and will keep their current plate with the ``Georgia ... On My Mind'' design.
The new plates are gray with a peach in the background of the license numbers. In the middle of the peach is the green outline of the state of Georgia. By law, the plate design has to promote Georgia as the Peach State.
The move will also save on postage for renewals, as sending out a renewal decal costs much less than if the department had to mail out new license plates, said Charles Martin, who has overseen the distribution of car tags in Gwinnett County.
The new design was selected by former Gov. Roy Barnes from a group of six finalists. State officials said publicizing the Georgia Web site would help people take care of business with the state government.
Thursday
April 18th, 2024
11:53PM
