A Democratic member of Congress has proposed legislation that targets political license plates as Arizona is considering creating one commemorating the Tea Party movement.

Rep. Gary Ackerman's (N.Y.) bill, titled the "License Plate Political Slush Fund Prevention Act of 2011," would dock 15 percent of a state's federal highway funds if it creates vanity plates that generate revenue for organizations that promote the election or defeat of political candidates.

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"Using official government resources to help bankroll an explicit political agenda — whether on the right or left — is flat out wrong," Ackerman said in a statement. "It seems that the GOP in Arizona is attempting to do nothing more than create a slush fund for its Tea Party friends. It’s a scheme that smacks of cronyism, and should not be allowed to become law."

Under the Arizona law, some proceeds from the vanity plates would be placed into a fund that the state committee can use to promote "tea party principles."



The bill originally called for the state highway fund to provide for some start-up costs, but that provision was removed by the state Senate. Supporters of the plate would have to front those costs, according to The Associated Press.



Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R), who vetoed a so-called "birther" bill this week, has not yet decided whether to sign the license plate measure. The proposed plate would be emblazoned with the yellow Gadsden Flag that contains the slogan "Don't tread on me," which has become a Tea Party slogan.



Other states like Nevada, Virginia and Texas are considering Tea Party license plates. Ackerman said he would formally introduce the legislation after the current congressional recess ends.

