Political Insider

By geekboy

February 11, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this

You gotta love Republicans … instead of doing something worthwhile they dream up stuff like this … and set the landspeed record in modern-day divorce times.

Maybe they will bring back the “sweet tea” law next?

By everyone relax

February 11, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Man, this state is a piece of work. Wasn’t the “let’s go run on the field and try to incite a riot” victory over the Gators enough this year? Are these other states STOPPING any of you from getting UGA tags in those states? Heck, Alabama issues one to SQUARE DANCE enthusiasts! You guys will fit right in with those cats-enjoy your new tags and keep up the great work fixing our water woes and other REAL problems!

By RamblinLonghorn

February 11, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

This is a colossal waste of time and money.

By Call it Like it is

February 11, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this

Yank the tag Barry Fleming, and I yank my vote for you.

We have better things to be concerned with besides a car tag.

Really?

By Lily

February 11, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Sounds like a bunch of wining children to me. What a huge waste of time.

By BigDawg

February 11, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

I love it!

By Frontman

February 11, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

You have to love politicians in general. Our national Congress is intensely concerned with whether or not Roger Clemens got a needle in his a$$, and the local cavalcade of UGA rednecks has nothing better to do with their time than to play college football footsie with neighboring states. It’s a GAME, morons, although most of them live and die by it. Pathetic…

By Avery

February 11, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

What an embarrassment. Our tax dollars paying the salaries of five-year-olds on a power trip.

It is obvious that they don’t have better things to do.

By JP

February 11, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

If enough UGA fans in Florida want a UGA tag then they should lobby the state of Florida for it. Maybe they are already doing that.

Glad to see our legislators are hard at work.

By cjc

February 11, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

All we need to do is find a way to invade/tick off the Carolinas, and we’ll have all of our neighbors mad at us.

By Byron

February 11, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

There are bigger issues that need to be dealt with than politicians fighting over what tag is on the back of someone’s car. It really does not matter.

By Ga man

February 11, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

Well, the Gamecocks suck (though I’m sure there are plenty in Midtown that would reciprocate), but I really can’t find a reason yet to invade/ tick off NC.

Course, they only share a border with us for about a few dozen miles, so maybe that could be a safe escape route??

By Brian

February 11, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this

Well its a real relief that our representatives don’t have anything better to spend taxpayers hard-earned money on than voting on a college football playoff and a silly license plate. They must have solved all of the real issues already.

By Craig

February 11, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Is this GA’s way of snubbing FL over this water war? Is this all they have? Good grief people. You’d think they let the 8 year olds touring the capitol run the session down there.

By taxpayer

February 11, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Well its a real relief that our representatives don’t have anything better to spend taxpayers hard-earned money on than voting on a college football playoff and a silly license plate. They must have solved all of the real issues already.

By mark

February 11, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

Great work guys! Really focusing on the important issues facing our state.

By HBB

February 11, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

I’m certainly glad to see that my tax dollars are being so well spent discussing “blackmailing” other states instead of fixing the myriad of problems our own state has.

Way to go and if i find out that my rep had anything to do with this he/she will NOT be recieving my vote regardless of what “good” they might have done in the past.

By asdfasdf

February 11, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

we dont want a UGA Florida tag, just axe the UF plate and be done with it. get on to more serious business

By Pat

February 11, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

What do you mean, “a tag to honor UGA alumni?” You don’t have to be an alumnus of UGA to get these tags in Georgia, just be willing to get ripped off yearly for the extra $45.00. General Assembly proving they are as worthless as Congress is all this does.

By Chip

February 11, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Our elected officials continue to make me proud. Is this really an issue we want focused on at the Capital? I hate the Gators as much as anyone, but come on!

By humbug

February 11, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this

**this text will be bolded QUIT THE TALKING AND YANK THE TAG.

By Spectrumsp

February 11, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

As a UGA Dawg in Jax, I love it! We need a UGA tag down here…it would sell more here than the Auburn tag did in GA.

By Roy

February 11, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this

War, recession, water shortage, crime, traffic, please! Let’s put the horse in front of the carriage! It’s just a game! I have been able to come to one conclusion though, the larger the -G- on the back of a truck, the smaller the brain of the driver!

By CDS

February 11, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Transportation issues, water issues, one of the worst in the nation in education, none of these seem to matter to these fools. Let me tell you, I LOVE seeing my tax dollars being put to something great like this. The moment I get enough money, I’m out of this state before another Civil War breaks out.

By Please Vote

February 11, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

Is this not one of the most OUTRAGEOUS stories you’ve ever read? Is this an April Fools story, because surely our elected officials have real issues to work on.

I say we fire the whole lot of them and start over. Anyone else up for that?

If this doesn’t compel you to vote, then nothing ever will. Please make your voice heard when these morons come up for re-election.

By TS

February 11, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

I don’t think the Georgia State Government should advertise any state institution other than Georgia institutions. It would be like Coke advertising Pepsi.

By Jim

February 11, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

At $25 per tag (plus manufacturing fee) there are more than 1,000 Gators in Georgia addings a tidy sum to the state coffers. $25,000 isn’t a lot, but would certainly help some school or help fund a small, worthwhile community project, or — heaven forbid — help offset a tax cut.

By the way, I got my tasg this morning and it looks great.

By Phil

February 11, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

What a waste of f’ing time.

By Adam

February 11, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

What? The state doesn’t want the extra $25 I paid for the UF tag? Well, damn. Fine by me, I guess.

By Too little too late

February 11, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

We sould never have allowed other schools to have tags in Georgia unless their states agreed in writing to recipricate when the same requirements were met (1000 purchased plates, etc.). That’s how you deal with this kind of crap. It’s reciprical agreements, not strongarm tactics after the fact. HOWEVER, since they did screw up, this is the only way left, so they need to do it.

By caribG8R

February 11, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

First the prez of UGAy tries to steal LSU’s thunder by crying about the leghumpers not getting a shot at the national title, now this!?! UGAy has attained top crybaby status in the SEC!

By Frank

February 11, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

Absurd. But then, what do you expect from our esteemed local state senator. We’re here, and we’re not going anywhere, nor are we going to give up our new plates.

Besides, Johnson’s got the alums of Bama, Tennessee, and Clemson falling in line right behind us - their apps have either been approved or are in process right now. The floodgates have been opened, and the floodwater cannot be put back behind the dam.

By worse & worse

February 11, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this

I agree. Ditch the UF tags in GA. Also, the wasting time by the FL posters doesn’t hold water because it was OK to let the state waste time counting the FL fans petition and fooling with the tags they want. Where were all you posters that are screaming now, then?

By Florida Leg

February 11, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Can do Georgia, but due to the extremely limited demand, the price for each tag is 100,000 dollars per year….

By Ryan

February 11, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this

Car tags and the BCS are bigger issues than the people of Georgia. I guess I’ll just keep scratching my head at this.

By Cap'n Louie

February 11, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

I will watch this issue closely, and make sure to vote AGAINST any of my reps who vote for this.

This is so incredibly childish and immature. What an embarrassment to have these people claim to represent the people of this state.

Someone needs to make sure this vote is recorded.

By ADL

February 11, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

There is a reason you can’t get a UGA alumni tag in Alabama. The handicapped tags already say, “Roll Tide”.

By keith

February 11, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

If you aren’t going to do the work you were elected to do, at least do something like go play golf. At least you Congresspeople would only look like lazy a*******es to those on the course, instead of looking like that to everyone in the state.

By EX-Georgia Republican

February 11, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this

This is absurdity is beyond embarrassing. The state of our water supply, wasted taxes, Iraq etc and here we have Johnson wasting our time & tax dollars pursuing petty fraternity battles with his college rivals??

Why do we elect these bozos in the first place? This is why Georgia is in the sad situation it is in presently. I can promise you, I won’t be voting for these overgrown redneck college boys again..

By ADL

February 11, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Look at who you are selling to. Most of the Georgia population comes from Florida and Alabama. Florida would be better served offering Ohio State and Michigan tags.

By KJ

February 11, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) said he is eager to get hold of the legislation and ram it through his chamber.

kinky.

By john

February 11, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this

Haven’t you people have anything better to do ! What a joke . How about fixing our long term water issues ?

By UF grad

February 11, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this

Absolutely ridiculous. I’m now almost embarrassed I voted in the Republican primary last week. Get a grip, lawmakers! Do something worthwhile for a change.

By Gene

February 11, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

This whole issue is a huge embarrassment to the state along with the Tennessee River issue and the legislative day spent criticizing the BCS. Let Sonny Perdue fire the first cannon shot at Chattanooga with the famous double-barrelled cannon, and Michael Adams can do the same for Tallahassee.

By MB

February 11, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

I’m a Bulldawg fan also, but if support of this bill and this “fight” is what gets you reelected, then our state deserves all of the ridicule that will be coming our way.

By BGatorsmith

February 11, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

As a Florida fan living in Georgia, I am ok with this bill as long as Florida requires Georgia fans to put up with the 10-12 years of red tape that Florida fans in Georgia had to deal with before getting tags.

By Hoot

February 11, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

I want Ohio to offer a Kennesaw State license tag, otherwise, I quit.

By TheItalianDawg

February 11, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

For all of you who posted a comment like embarrassment or there is nothing else to do, I say chill out, put an apple in your mouth and mind your own business. Its an important issue to me! I live in Jacksonville, Florida. there are more cars and houses with G on them than any Floridian school except for Florida Gators!! I would love to have the University of Georgia tag on my car! I hope this will work, because not like Florida alumni in Georgia struggled to collect 1000 signature, Georgia alumni will collect 10000 signature in a week! go dawgs

By Gene

February 11, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

There are 20-million people in Florida and Richt is 2-5 against the Gators, and Tebow is just fuming. I think Sonny and the clowns in the legislature have a better chance against TN. Richt is 4-3 against them.

By Ryan

February 11, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

I find it interesting that the website for the Gen. Assembly is out. Could it be that they do not want backlash or could it be that so many people are trying to write to their Rep. about this. Find them if you can and write to them. I could care less about political affiliation. The water situation effects us all. Write to your Rep. NOW!

By surprised, but not

February 11, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Here’s the solution…no specialized tags of any kind and then nobody will feel left out. But that won’t work in this narcisstic society…everybody has to be special!

By AtlantaGator

February 11, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

How embarrassing to us all

This doofus from Savannah sure knows how to cater to the lowest common denominator of his constituency though.

I guess 15 out of 18 has him a little riled up, but what a stupid battle to fight. Isn’t he part of the same state legislature that established the tag requirements to begin with? So much for process at the statehouse, lets rule by emotion.

I wish he would put as much time into the various crises in our state (water, transportation, education, health care, infrastructure, budget or environment) as he did for a stupid car tag.

By Reggie

February 11, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

What a waste of our tax money. I think this a good example of “backwards” state.

By HelKat

February 11, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

What a load of S@#!. Man, you repubs and UGA whiners are a bunch of mental turds. You are a waste of skin. Of all the issues (lack of water, education, roads, collapsing housing market)facing the citizenry and we wonder why the disdain and mockery from other states in the nation. As for the little land grab attempt, I hope Tennessee collectively tells Georgia to go F.. itself.

By Clay

February 11, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

Three things: 1) I am a Georgia grad and I have no problem with the UF tag. If I lived in another state, I would live a UGA tag in that state—if they were available.

2) The proceeds from the tag should be applied to the general scholorship fund of the University System of Georgia. That would be a wonderful way to use the money!

3) Intelligent Georgia folks should hold no animosity over the recent history of these 2 football teams. First of all, the series began prior to 1990. Second, the series is 2-2 the last 4 years. Third, if you want to look at history, then look at all the history. Vince Dooley beat Florida 17 times. Georgia leads the series. Florida has had a heck of a run; but, they’ve been playing longer than 18 years!

By Hairy Balls

February 11, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

I hate Republicans but I agree with them on this.

By Nobody

February 11, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Who cares both Georgia and Florida stink. People go to Georgia or Florida because they can’t get in anywhere else.

By Antineocon

February 11, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

I thought these Republican lawmakers were going to stop all the nonsense they accused Democrats of doing for 130 years. Now, here they are, in a position of power, talking a good game,and they’re wasting OUR time and OUR money as taxpayetrs acting as silly as any group of grown men could possibly act. Take note of this, Georgia.

By DTM

February 11, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Wow. What a waste of time and resources. What would have been a truly class move would be to applaud the effort to support higher education and encourage UGA fans to snap up UGA plates so that they engulf UF plates. …and to encourage UGA fans in Florida to pursue a plate. Not friggin’ blackmail Florida. And to waste time (and paper) printing a bill on this? UGH.

By BigDawg

February 11, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

A waste of time this may be, but do you really think it is wasting a lot of your “taxpayers dollars”. This type of bill literally takes minutes to discuss and get through. There are a lot of other bills that are more trivial that you never read about. Where is the sense of humor? You would be amazed what goes on in the capital on a daily basis. Go Dawgs!!!!

By Florida Gator Fan

February 11, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

I don’t mind putting $25.00 towards public education in Georgia. I know that at the end of the day the University of Florida will still be the better school and UGA will still be licking our boots. Go Gators!

By THWG

February 11, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

UGA fans/grads don’t move to Florida. They stay here and whine about UF tags on license plates. What a colossal waste of everyone’s time/money. I’m a republican, but I hate UGA and I hate that republicans are wasting resources on something so stupid as a Florida UGA tag. Besides, if UGA hates Florida so much, why would they want their logo on a Florida tag?

By geekboy

February 11, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this

I’m a Socialist, what can I say!

By Chris

February 11, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

The city of Atlanta hass the largest “out of state” Alumni chapter for every school in proximity to the state of Georgia. The number of Georgia grads looking for tags in Nashville, Birmingham of Tampa would not compare to the number of Auburn, Bama, Tenn. or Florida grads in Atlanta. Atlanta is the capitol of the South and there are a million transplants here. This is very petty.

By Brad

February 11, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

I’m sure some of you have employers who would be really happy to know that their dollars are being spent on a bunch of bloggers. GET BACK TO WORK!!!!!

By Fenixx

February 11, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

Georgia Republicans represent George “Skippy” Bush very well, when the state and country need you to focus on education, the economy and health care, you focus on something as trivial as a car tag, no wonder Georgia is at the bottom of everything!

By UGA fan

February 11, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

I love the Dawgs but come on, this is ridiculous! Don’t they have anything better to do under the gold dome.

By Stockbridge Dawg

February 11, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this

I actually attended UGA (not a trailer park alumni like most of bulldog nation). I am also a huge football fan, but this is just absolutely stupid. Shameful even.

10 seconds is too long for our lawmakers to spend on this subject.

By gdawginkalamazoo

February 11, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this

Damn. Here’s three and a half mintues of my life I’ll never get back. Give me the old blue MI plates anyday. Except make them rust proof please.

By Zeb Mckluskey

February 11, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

It’s crap like this that’s the reason I’m a friggin Libetarian. I think I’m gonna change my name to Cvnty McSh!tballs and run for office. Geez!

By Derek B.

February 11, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this

All you complaining about a waste of taxpayers’ money need to get a grip. These guys sit around smoking cigars for half the day anyway for Pete’s sake!

Personally, I applaud them for any chance they get an opportunity to give the State of Florida THE FINGER! What happened to good ole fashioned hate, state pride, etc?

F FLORIDA and their CHEESY-A*, GEL-IN-THE-HAIR, GOLD CHAIN-WEARIN’ FANS!

By wasteof time

February 11, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

how embarassing…and the governor wants Ga to be the best run state in the union…there is a lot of work to do folks…get to work you idiots under the dome, you are proof that Ga is last in the nation in eduation!

By Steph

February 11, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah… I love it!

By UGLA

February 11, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

I’m just guessing that a large share of Georgia legislators went to UGA. That’s explains it all.

By James

February 11, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

Oh good grief… Thisi is the biggest load of crap I’ve seen in awhile and I usually vote Republican! These idiot lawmakers need to start working with the UGA alum’s in other states to get a UGA plate in those state’s, like the UF, ‘Bama, etc alum’s did here, if they want the plate so bad.

How about they abolish the law allowing ALL university affiliated license tags if they do this? Otherwise they show just how petty they really are. Good grief, you’d think a lawmaker would do anything possible to get the extra $25 yearly income to education.

By Nauti Dawg

February 11, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Lighten up folks. Are you against fun in the work place, or what!? I’m sure the amount of time spent on this “issue” is a lot less than some of you are making it out to be. Besides, fair is fair.

Let the big dawg eat!!!!!

By NT

February 11, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Oh come on. It’s not that serious. Sorry, everyone didn’t graduate from UGA. Can’t wait until I get my Clemson tag!

By Harold

February 11, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Alls we gotta do is find 100 people from Georgia who are willing to move to Florida and then request a UGA tag in Florida. But where in tarnation are we gonna find anybody who wants to move to Florida?

By reserviorDAWG

February 11, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

They have come to a compromise. There will be no UGA plates in FL. Instead of the original gator head on the plate it will now be a UF fan in jorts with an orange tank top, mullet and gold chain(and I forgit the flip flops).

By MM

February 11, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this

With all of the work that needs to be done in a short period of time I cannot but I can believe these assinine idiots would do something like this.

By Brandon

February 11, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

I agree with this. Fair is Fair. If FL fans get to have a gator tag in GA, then GA fans should be able to purchase a GA tag in Florida.

By GodHatesTrash

February 11, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this

The difference between Bulldogs and Gators? One’s a bottomfeeder that lives in the sewer. The other is an inbred mangy mutt that roles around in its own shi-t.

Trash all.

By Lynda

February 11, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

You’re kidding right? How much do these guys get paid?

By GatorKid

February 11, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Harold, surely you aren’t suggesting that Georgia (lmao) is a greater state than Florida! The only place worth visiting is Atlanta.

By Rick

February 11, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Finally, something I agree with Republicans on. A tag from Georgia should not honor any schools except Georgia schools. GO DAWGS!

By GaGator

February 11, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Go Gators!!! As Far as Water, why Dosen’t our state think of building an ATLANTIC OCEAN DESALINATION PLANT in Savannah, than build 250 miles of pipes & pumps to send the clean water to the Atl metro? Duh, This IMPORTANT Investment would pay for itself overtime and it would create a lot of new Georgia jobs.

By Tech Grad

February 11, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

What a waste of tax payers dollars. Are we serious that UGA grads are wanting our elected officials to spend time on this issue? Who cares if someone wants to have a AL, Auburn, Clemson, TN, etc. tag. If they want to pay the fee then the taxpayers win not the crybaby UGA grads that think within the borders of GA they control all that goes on in the state. Unbelievable. Go away Dawgs!

By GOD

February 11, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

How bout we follow Bush’s lead, have Sonny make s** up about UF then invade the state and destroy it like the good ole USA did to Iran…

By athensga2

February 11, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

The Law Library is no place for a tailgate party, and statutes are not toys for “fun in the workplace.” The phrase “making a mockery of the legislative process” comes to mind.

By dawgcrazyman

February 11, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

florida fans shouldn’t be able to buy Ga tags—-just because they have a lot of money doesn’t give them the right to buy tags with their logo——this bill better be signed by Sonny Perdue! 3 obnoxious UF fans at my firm have already purchased the tags!

By R. E. H.

February 11, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

What’s good for the Goose, fair play and all that.

By Dawg

February 11, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

How bout’ we send all that Gator Tag money to the UGA Athletic Dept???? If those jean short wearin’ idiots want to give us their money, let em’ help the DAWGS!

By Merlin

February 11, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

The actions by the legislature are absurd; we’ve got bigger problems to worry about. If Florida fans (or, for that matter, fans of any other school) want to contribute extra money to Georgia for the simple privilege of having a logo on a tag(to the tune of at least $25,000 for each school to get the tags in the first place, not to mention renewal fees), then by all means let them. I’m quite certain that none but a knuckle-dragging redneck will care that a ‘gator has defiled a Georgia tag.

In fact, these developments only help your case - if the folks in Florida are too short-sighted to recognize that by offering Georgia tags they will increase money flowing into their state, well, that’s their problem.

The poster who suggested depositing the money in the general scholarship fund was on the right track - but it should be deposited in an account where every state school can benefit.

Now, on to more important things - like debating whether “The Tennessee Waltz” should replace “Our Georgia” as the official state waltz or fried alligator tails should be the state prepared food instead of grits…

By Jim

February 11, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

If you think the comments are bad here, take a look at what some of the national forums are saying. Once again, Georgia is looking veeerrry foolish thanks to our lawmakers who seem to think this is a prioirty.

By Twisted

February 11, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Nothing is stopping UGA from having a Floria plate other than getting off their lazy asses and going through the legislative process like Florida had to do to get one. This didn’t just happen. Florida spent years getting approval for their plate here after the state initially refused.

Quit whining. And just becuse the legislature was too stupid to get a reciprocal agreement is indicative of their overall ability in the first place. But now that they are caught with their pants down, they want to strong-arm a solution. What a joke….

By ATLG8R

February 11, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Italian Dawg,

You are an IDIOT. UF got the 1,000 sigs needed in less than a week! The state blocked us from applying for 10 years until the ATL gator club sent a lawyer up there to lite a fire under their butts!

I don’t have a problem with it as long as the UGA tag still has to have the 1,000 sigs.

By ViewFromMidtown

February 11, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Typical, useless, pandering Republicans legislators. Instead of trying to solve real problems with transportation, water resources, education, employment, they choose to waste time over what people put on car tags. Pathetic. Unsurprising, but pathetic nonetheless.

By chris

February 11, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

this is why georgia is not world power, this is why I moved away from georgia 3 years ago with no intentions of going back. this state is a joke. they are about to run out of water and this is what they are doing in the state house.pathetic…

By kevin

February 11, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

Embarassing!

By jack

February 11, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

While we at at it, lets have a Tag for Mexicos illegals and we`d make a fortune in fees.

By Gilbert Stroupe

February 11, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

The people with the other school tags are citizens of Georgia. I don’t give a flip if another state does or does not give UGA tags.

By Don

February 11, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this

I’m all about it.. GIVE ME A GEORGIA TAG HERE IN TAMPA, FL.!! We are ready for this to go down..!!

By CB

February 11, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Once the pork pull is over, what else is there to do?

GOD…

Iran?

By pvb

February 11, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this

Hey ATLG8R — What took you so long to get your sigs?

By BulldogLover

February 11, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

If this doesn’t seal Flemming’s fate as a worthless panderer I don’t know what will! I can’t stand Florida but Flemming is making Georgia look like a gang of raging idiots. And to think… this buffoon is running for Congress?

By ATLgatorgirl

February 11, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

Seems like it would make more sense for the Jacksonville Bulldog Club to take this one on.

By Radio

February 11, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this

I can appreciate this gesture, being a resident of FL. I am part of the UGA alumni association that has been trying for a long time to get the tags down her but the requirements are absolutely insane. Nice to have the governement from my former home sticking its neck out for us.

By Tom

February 11, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

This is hilarious…….

Georgia “threatening” Florida over this issue is like Sheriff Bart holding himself at gunpoint in “Blazing Saddles”…..except the FL legislature is probably smarter than the townsfolk.

What a buncha’ maroons we have in the General Assembly (not that Eric J hasn’t shown his idiocy before, mind you.)

By Give Me a Break

February 11, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this

People get real!!!!

The politicians are now voting to ban Florida tags? This state is an embarassment to the rest of the world!

First, they had to vote to try and force the NCAA to have a college playoff, just because you didn’t get invited to the big dance? Get over it, they fed your ego by allowing you to play the only team you could beat in a bowl game in Hawaii.

Now, just because Florida has beaten you 16 out of the last 18 years, you don’t want to see their tags in your state?

It is a college, people!! Get your heads out of the dark hole and try and fix Georgia’s economy or solve the water problem. I can’t believe it!!

By ATLgatorgirl

February 11, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this

I can appreciate the pain of the effort. The Atlanta Gator Club spent 10 years dealing with state red tape. I do believe it took a couple of Gator grad lawyers who volunteered their time to get through it all and make it happen. I personally think it is silly for the state not to take the income…

By G8R 8U2

February 11, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

I sure hope the AJC does a follow-up article identifying all the lawmakers who are wasting Georgia taxpayer money with proposals like this. I’ll need to know that, so I can be part of the solution in the state, and vote them out of office. You’d think the abysmal record of public education in Georgia would be a more pressing topic, and these lawmakers prove it should be.

By Tdog

February 11, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

I think anyone in any state should be able to show their team spirit on a tag in any state. If Fla dosen’t fight it then it won’t be a big deal. What’s good for Fla is good for GA, Ala ect.

By TampaDawg

February 11, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

I think it’s a great idea. Yank the Gaytor tag if FL doesn’t want to comply with our right to have a tag in their state. Heck! bring em all on… AL, AUB, TENN. General Mark Richt and the Bulldog Nation will rise up!

By Dumb Ole Georgian

February 11, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this

Do not write to your district officials. They really didn’t like it when I did. They might even give some sob story about living in a hotel room and being away from their families for two months. Oh, and don’t try to give them your opinion on “public service” either. You will be called a Gator fan.

By bootleg

February 11, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this

A couple of comments:

1) Obviously this is a rediculous waste of time and taxpayer money to even discuss. People in these districts hopefully read about this and take care of these kind of clowns at the polls. (This is the only message that can be sent and actually heard by politicians !!)

2) If more people would get outraged by the waste and real issues affecting our communties and country as they do related to silly college rivalries we would not be in the situation we are.

By JS

February 11, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this

How about a GT tag? What do you expect with a “dawg” as gov.?

By Verdawg

February 11, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this

I’m a proud Bulldawg alum who doesn’t have to prove it with a car tag. All of you vanity tag owners who feel the need to pay the state $25 more every year for your tags are idiots. I say take the gaytors money!

By Tim Tebow

February 11, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this

I HEREBY PROCLAIM THAT I AM GAY AND HAD MY FIRST HOMOSEXUAL EXPERIENCES WITH STEVE SPURRIER. I love Gay-tor-AIDS also.

By alan

February 11, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this

First it’s BCS junk, now this nonsense. I will remember this in the next election. I will not vote for anyone who wastes their time this way.

By KR

February 11, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

There is a very simple solution:

In the next election, vote against every incumbent.

Then, continue to do so in subsequent elections.

Finally boycott these yahoos in the practice of their “real” jobs.

By Dawg in Gainesville

February 11, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this

Hey, better that they’re doing this than appropriating funds or raising taxes. The government that governs least governs best.

By Sautee Dawg

February 11, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this

As a small business owner in Georgia, I’m sitting here wondering why my health premiums just went up 17%. In the meantime all the sales tax money i’m sending in at the end of the month is going to pay someone’s salary to vote on a topic like this.

By ATLG8R

February 11, 2008 6:51 PM | Link to this

pvb-

it didn’t take long to get our sigs, they had the 1,000 in less than a week. The state wouldn’t even accept our application and kept giving us the run around. But once we started collecting sigs we had a 1,000 in less than a week.

By DawgieStyle

February 11, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this

Stupid republican baptist nutjobs…..

By jaydawg

February 11, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this

are you kidding me? this is why I don’t vote. Republicans are dumb and uninformed and democrats don’t fit my train of thought. Man how can any of you vote for anyone in this state after this?

By bo

February 11, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this

Fair is fair….check the price of out of state fishing license in fl for a ga resident, then vice versa. the ga out of state is much higher, but we don’t have a problem with you coming down and spending your money, that is except for our dumb rednecks, whose heritage can probably be taced to jawga

By Todd Green

February 11, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this

I live in SOuth Florida and Florida will NEVER allow a State of Florida UGA tag; ifn they do it would be plain and butt UGLY… Yank the TAG…

By FL DAWG

February 11, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

1st, I can’t believe the tag was ever allowed. Why didn’t Sonny Veto the bill.

2nd, Increase the cost of the tags to $1000 plus and give the money to the UGA Atletic Department. Either the plates go away or there is a nice chunk of change to add to the UGA Athletic budget.

3rd, what did the GA Gov. really do besides waste its time in passing this bill and even more time now trying to make it right.

4th maybe they are smarter than all of us, get the money for the plates then yank them…way to stick it to a UF fan/alumn. Don’t give them a refund!!!!!!

By Atlanta Gator

February 11, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this

Time to add a little rationality to this over-heated discussion board. According to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles & Highway Safety website, here are the requirements for getting a new “specialty tag” approved in the State of Florida:

“The Law:

“Section 320.08053, Florida Statutes, outlines the requirements an organization must meet to request a new specialty license plate be created. Section 320.08056, Florida Statutes, provides the responsibilities of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in developing and issuing specialty license plates when legislation authorizes a new specialty license plate to be established.

“Application Requirements:

“Legislation must be enacted to establish a new specialty license plate design. Proposals for specialty license plates may only be considered by the legislature upon compliance with statutory requirements. The Division of Motor Vehicles Procedure RS-20, Creation of A Specialty License Plate, contains the proper requirements that organizations must follow to pursue legislation for specialty license plates. Click here to view DMV Procedure RS-20.

“The basic requirements are: The organization must hire an independent survey company to conduct a survey on Florida registered motor vehicle owners, an application fee of $60,000, a long-term and short-term marketing plan, financial analyses and the design of the license plate. The requirements must be submitted to the Department 90-days before the first day of the legislative session.

“Once you have reviewed the procedure and you have questions, contact the Specialty License Plate office at (850)617-2807.”

Here is the Florida Statutes Section that governs new specialty plates:

“320.08053 Requirements for requests to establish specialty license plates.—

“(1) An organization that seeks authorization to establish a new specialty license plate for which an annual use fee is to be charged must submit to the department:

“(a) A request for the particular specialty license plate being sought, describing the proposed specialty license plate in specific terms, including a sample plate that conforms to the specifications set by the department and this chapter, and that is in substantially final form.

“(b) The results of a scientific sample survey of Florida motor vehicle owners that indicates at least 30,000 motor vehicle owners intend to purchase the proposed specialty license plate at the increased cost. As used in this paragraph, the term “scientific sample survey” means information that is gathered from a representative subset of the population as a whole. The sample survey of registered motor vehicle owners must be performed independently of the requesting organization by an organization that conducts similar sample surveys as a normal course of business. Prior to conducting a sample survey for the purposes of this section, a requesting organization must obtain a determination from the department that the organization selected to conduct the survey performs similar surveys as a normal course of business and is independent of the requesting organization. The methodology, results, and any evaluation by the department of the scientific sample survey shall be validated by the Auditor General as a condition precedent to submission of the specialty license plate for approval by the Legislature.

“(c) An application fee, not to exceed $60,000, to defray the department’s cost for reviewing the application and developing the specialty license plate, if authorized. State funds may not be used to pay the application fee, except for collegiate specialty license plates authorized in s. 320.08058(3) and (13). The specialty license plate application provisions of this act shall not apply to any organization which has requested and received the required forms for obtaining a specialty license plate authorization from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, has opened a bank account for the funds collected for the specialty license tag and has made deposits to such an account, and has obtained signatures toward completing the requirements for the specialty license tag. All applications requested on or after the effective date of this act must meet the requirements of this act.

“(d) A marketing strategy outlining short-term and long-term marketing plans for the requested specialty license plate and a financial analysis outlining the anticipated revenues and the planned expenditures of the revenues to be derived from the sale of the requested specialty license plates.

“The information required under this subsection must be submitted to the department at least 90 days before the convening of the next regular session of the Legislature.

“(2) If the specialty license plate requested by the organization is approved by law, the organization must submit the proposed art design for the specialty license plate to the department, in a medium prescribed by the department, as soon as practicable, but no later than 60 days after the act approving the specialty license plate becomes a law. If the specialty license plate requested by the organization is not approved by the Legislature, the application fee shall be refunded to the requesting organization.

“(3) The department shall adopt rules providing viewpoint-neutral specifications for the design of specialty license plates that promote or enhance the readability of all specialty license plates and that discourage counterfeiting. The rules shall provide uniform specifications requiring inclusion of the word “Florida” in the same location on each specialty license plate, in such a size and location that is clearly identifiable on the specialty license plate when mounted on a vehicle, and shall provide specifications for the size and location of any words or logos appearing on a specialty license plate.”

FYI, the biggest selling plate in Florida is the University of Florida specialty tag, with over 105,000 sold as of 2007. There are over 100 specialty tags in Florida.

I hope this helps you Jacksonville Dawgs fans in your quest to get your UGA tags. Good luck.

By TaxMoneyOutWindow

February 11, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this

I want a Tax Refund from the equal to these guys salary

I will not vote for either one again…..

By FL DAWG

February 11, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this

ATL Gator

And I thought my post was long…

By FL DAWG

February 11, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this

ATL Gator,

Forgot to thank you for the info.

By P Dawg

February 11, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this

Oh come on people, this does seem like a VERY petty issue and it is BUT, fair is fair and they should allow UGA’s alumni to get their tags too! Get it done quickly and focus on the real issues. These Republicans are by far better than the bedwetting leftists.

By D

February 11, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this

Isn’t there a real war going on?

By SharonH

February 11, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Oh dear God, why??????????? These looney charlatans don’t know when to stop. How far back are they willing to take the state of GA? Sheesh…..

By bubbav

February 11, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this

Try saving our water supply first!

By Tybeedawg

February 11, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

I wish someone would post one more time how Republicans are wasting time on this instead of education, water,roads, etc. I missed it on the first 70 posts. My favorite is how you’re not voting for them because they’re wasting your tax dollars. Like Brad brought up around 2:30, all of you that posted before 5:00 p.m. were wasting you’re bosses money, and if any of you worked for the City, State, or County you were wasting my tax dollars and I would like all of you fired first thing in the morning. There is nothing wrong with our fellow Republican Dawgs trying to help some of the Dawg Nation stuck in Florida get them some alumni tags.

By Tech Grad

February 11, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this

The UGA fans are showing how they all know the true national issues and what our elected officials should all be focused on. This should be on the TOP of STATES lists of issue. NOT one citizen should every consider every having a license plate with any school logo other than a UGA DAWG because we all know that the only tallgate in the state is Athens. Forget a University. Do I need to spell that for most of you that are complaining about this! Do you understand economics. Citizens spend moneny for a fee to have their schools logo placed on a license plate. Who cares if the logo is the Univ. of Wyoming. The State gets the money. The taxpayers of Ga. gets the money. And a bunch of UGA fans are crybabies becuase Fla fans want their logo on the plates. GET A LIFE. Sell License Plates with ANY Schools logo on it, charge a premium for it and keep the money for the taxpayers. If the UGA fans don’t like it they can drink more Bud and bark more on Saturdays. They don’t get it. The borders of the state do not give them a right to tell us how to make money. Next, they’ll want a fence to keep out the Gator, Tide, Tiger and Gamecock Fans.

By patrick

February 11, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Does this guy know that all that has to be done is the UGA alumi in flordia get off there lazy butts and do it. Its not like the state has a say in it. YGBFKM if this is what they do with there time. Get a life!

By GeorgiaDawg

February 12, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

Okay, I’ve had enough of the Republicans in the Legislature. Not only do they screw up the big policy issues, they can’t even get football loyalties right. First, they cave to Gators and let them put their road kill on our Georgia tags. Then, after they screw that up, they pander to us in attempts to “fix” the problem they caused. Can we please go back to conservative Democrats… Please?

By warhorse

February 12, 2008 5:02 AM | Link to this

UGA fans will hardly ever see the Gator tags. Gator grads do not hang out at Walmart so when UGA grads take a smoke break from their jobs as cashiers and greeters, no Gator tags will be there in the parking lot to offend their poor poodle sensitivities.

By satchmo3

February 12, 2008 6:31 AM | Link to this

As I live in the capital of South Georgia, hence Jacksonville, great idea,

By Bamafan

February 12, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

This is funny!! I live in Music City, TN and you can get any sec school car tag you want. Being a Bama fan I hate Auburn and the vols, but this silly story really tells the dislike between the dawgs and gators. I vote most of the time for republicians, but this STUPID!!!

By loosecannon

February 12, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this

Let the cheerleader types have their tags and get on with it

By Ralph

February 12, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

With a story like this I’m moving to Georgia. Obviously there are no problems there. No crime. No unemployment. Gas prices under a dollar a gallon. No drought. No taxes. Free education. Everyone graduates. If there were real problems you would think thyey would address those instead of wasting time on such a stupid, meaningless issue.

By Phil

February 12, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

My Lord, I mean can you get any more petty than this? Don’t our state legislators have anything more important to be focusing on? Like finding adequate water supply. They should be ashamed of themselves and UGA fans should be embarrassed that their inferiority complex with UF has reached these levels. Pretty pathetic.

By Dawg in Jax

February 12, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

As a UGA alumnus in Jacksonville, I am happy to hear the state is taking a stand. Our local alumni group has been trying to push the UGA prestige tags in Florida but the State of Florida will not budge. We need help and I’m grateful to see that our Bulldawgs in government are standing up for something that does mean a lot to fellow alumni who no longer live in the great state of Georgia.

And this isn’t about sports, this is about pride in our alma mater and sure in the grand scheme of things, this isn’t life or death, but if driving through Jacksonville with a Georgia prestige tag makes my day a little brighter (as I’m sure it will for other alumni), then why not. It’s the little things in life!

By brian

February 12, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

I don’t blame them. Stupid gators need to check themselves.

By Chip

February 12, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

Don’t these politicians have more important things to worry about?

There goes my vote for them.

Quit worrying about a license tag and get some real work done.

By UFstudent

February 12, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

to everyone relax: it actually is a law in the state of Florida that only state universities and colleges can have a license plates.

By SouthPaw

February 12, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

This is EXACTLY why I don’t subscribe and RARELY READ THIS paper…these people are such dumbocrats…and, oh btw…anyone who says they won’t vote for Fleming…wasn’t going to vote for him anyway!!! Hang in there Johnson and Fleming..all “true” Georgians are behind you. I thought it was ridiculous we allowe the tags in the first place!!!! GO DAWGS!

By SouthPaw

February 12, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this

This is EXACTLY why I don’t subscribe and RARELY READ THIS paper…these people are such dumbocrats…and, oh btw…anyone who says they won’t vote for Fleming…wasn’t going to vote for him anyway!!! Hang in there Johnson and Fleming..all “true” Georgians are behind you. I thought it was ridiculous we allowe the tags in the first place!!!! GO DAWGS!

By Fla Gator

February 12, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

I thought the Vanity tag had a signature threshold that any group had to pass to get one. I’m pretty sure that is the case here in Florida too. So you mutts should just get your stuff together and get it done! If it’s that important to you.

Oh wait! That would require more organization than getting the UGA football team to act like idiots after a score. And besides, there probably isn’t 200 mangy Dawgs in Florida anyway!!! LOL.

By Comin' Down The Track

February 12, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Maybe the General Assembly could pull all of the tags and have them fashioned into buckets in which they bring us some @$&%ing water. Someone tell me again why our state taxes go to pay these fools.

By BigDogz

February 12, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Classic politicians - as if our State didn’t already scream redneck.

By AugustaGOP

February 12, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this

I was seriously considering voting for Fleming, but not anymore. This is stupid.