Baby Boomer on Board: Legislation Could Create Special Mass. License Plates for the Baby Boom Generation

The Bay State offers its citizens a variety of specialized license plates, which range in cost from $40 to $50 (in addition to the regular $90 registration fee).

Examples include the Boston Celtics plate, the Cure Breast Cancer plate, the Olympic Spirit plate and the incredibly popular Cape Cod & Islands plate.

Now, as The Patriot Ledger reports, state legislation could create a new Massachusetts license plate just for the baby boom generation.

Baby boomers were born during the post-World War II birth rate “boom” that took place between 1946 and 1964. Boomers grew up in the 1960s and 70s; and today represent nearly 30% of the U.S. population.

The proposed bill, sponsored by Representative Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown), would allow the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to issue a ‘Baby Boom Generation’ license plate. Revenues from the plates, which would cost at least $30, would fund local councils on aging. The Executive Office of Elder Affairs would distribute the funds based on the number of plates sold within each council’s jurisdiction.

According to the bill, councils could use the funds for volunteer development, health screenings and salaries.

When asked if she supported the “Baby Boom Generation” license plate idea, Bay State baby boomer and high school art teacher, Aleta Piantedosi, told New England Post, “Sure, if it generates revenue, why not?”

However, she continued, “Not sure that I would pay for one, but I imagine some people would.”

A looming issue with the license plate idea is whether or not baby boomers will want to disclose their age to the general public. Piantedosi contends that some people will want to keep their age a secret, but she does not count herself among them.

“I never hide my age, 59. Personally, I feel lucky to be healthy and working in a career that I love. I think it’s important to show younger generations that you can still be vital and ‘in the game’ as you age.”

Specifics on what the proposed baby boomer license plate will say or depict are still unknown. According to The Patriot Ledger, a five-person panel, appointed by the state’s secretary of elder affairs, will judge a design contest for the plate.

Piantedosi offered a few ideas for consideration.

“Maybe an image that reaches the past, but also speaks to the future. During my life, JFK and MLK were assassinated. In music we had Elvis and The Beatles. Households with one, black rotary dial phone were the norm, now home phones hardly ever ring; we are all individually connected!”

Related posts:

1. Pew: Half of US Adults Now Use Social Networks
2. Mass. Senate May Wrap Up Gambling Bill This Week
3. Mass. House to Launch Casino Gambling Debate
4. UK-Based Tech Company to Create 100 Mass. Jobs Over Two to Three Years
5. Mass. House Votes to Bring Casino Gambling to the Bay State

Short URL: http://www.newenglandpost.com/?p=6078

Posted by erik devaney on Oct 20 2011. Filed under Featured - For home page featured article, Lifestyle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry