Fayette County is one of the most educated counties in the state of Georgia. We have earned a number of college degrees per capita that rivals any county in the state. A quick glance at the vehicles on our roads reflects our widespread respect for higher education: License plates featuring 24 Georgia colleges and universities, as well as Auburn, Clemson, and more are represented.

College car tags are interesting and colorful. They say something positive about the owner of the vehicle. Best of all, every college tag costs $25 per year, making the simple act of purchasing the tag a modest, ongoing contribution to Georgia’s revenue stream. This car tag program has been in place in Georgia for years.

Early last month, the University of Florida joined the ranks of college car tags available for purchase in Georgia. In keeping with Georgia requirements, the first wave of 1,000 University of Florida graduates applied and provided checks for $25 in order to get the tags manufactured. The UF tags were issued to thrilled customers throughout Georgia. My husband was one of them.

Then on Feb. 21, the Georgia House of Representatives passed H.B. 1165 prohibiting car tags in the state of Georgia from featuring colleges and universities located outside the state. Effective Jan. 1, 2009, “Until a reciprocal agreement ... has been executed with the appropriate agency of the other state, the department shall not issue or renew special license plates recognizing an institution of higher learning or its affiliated athletic program or logo located outside the borders of this state.” (You can find it at http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/versions/hb1165_LC_34_1609_a_2.htm.)

This legislation is ridiculous, not only because Georgia citizens clearly want these tags, but also because of the stated reasons behind it.

According to my state representative, newly elected Matt Ramsey, it’s a matter of fairness. He believes a reciprocity agreement should be in place. Matt explained in an email to my husband that until other states allow Georgia colleges to be honored with purchase of a tag, we should not allow their graduates to buy college tags here.

After receiving additional emails from not only Matt Ramsey, but also Senate Pro Tem Eric Johnson, who echoed the reciprocity argument, I have come up with a suggestion for a more appropriate approach.

College tags from out-of-state schools: Georgia’s 10-point plan

1. The fact that so many graduates of schools outside Georgia have come here to live, work, and play is a tremendous source of pride for us all.

2. Here in Georgia we respect higher education of all types. We recognize that we are a growing and diverse population, and we highlight and celebrate our differences.

3. Georgia legislators are elected to represent the interests of Georgia citizens. Georgia citizens want the right to purchase college tags, even from out of state schools.

4. Georgians do not control legislation in other states. (We are busy enough with our own!) H.B. 1165 does not establish a plan or a timetable to create reciprocity with other states, and wishing does not make it so. But we can serve as a good example to states in which graduates from Georgia schools may be experiencing difficulty buying college tags. Georgia graduates who reside in other states will, no doubt, succeed in their own efforts to change local legislation. They are smart and capable — after all, they were educated here.

5. What Eric Johnson has called “advertising” for out of state schools is not free, but is a revenue stream, albeit small, that benefits Georgians. The more the merrier.

6. Republican leadership in Georgia should mean less government in our lives, not more. (What’s next, telling us when we can and can not buy beer? Doh!)

7. Georgia legislators pass laws that benefit, and not penalize, hard-working Georgia citizens regardless of where they earned their degrees.

8. Prohibiting tags from out of state colleges does not benefit Georgians in any way.

9. A program that was laudable for years suddenly became unacceptable when UF grads were allowed to apply? Here in Georgia, we behave as adults, not children. We are thoughtful, not petty.

10. We take the high road. It’s just how we do things here.

The Georgia Senate has yet to vote on this issue. Stay tuned.

Kim Learnard, M. Ed., University of Georgia

Peachtree City, Ga.

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