By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri's requirement of both front and back license plates for vehicles may be coming to an end.
The Missouri Senate today gave first-round approval to a vehicle regulation bill that includes an amendment requiring only one license plate on the back of cars, trucks, vans and SUV's.
The measure was sponsored by State Senator Matt Bartle (R, Lee's Summit).
"Why is it that Missouri makes us waste all of the metal, the paint, the effort to have two license plates? We're in a terrible budget crisis, and having two license plates is a luxury we can no longer afford," Bartle said.
Bartle added that requiring only one plate per vehicle would save the state $3 million a year that could be used for other needs. State Senator Joan Bray (D, St. Louis) also expressed support for the amendment.
Opponents included State Senator Yvonne Wilson (D, Kansas City), who suggested the measure would make it harder for police to track fugitives or stolen vehicles.
The overall bill needs one more vote before moving on to the Missouri House.