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TALLAHASSEE - Gov. Jeb Bush said Thursday he would not buy a Confederate license tag proposed for Florida motorists, but stopped short of saying he would do anything to block its creation.
The Florida division of Sons of Confederate Veterans may ask lawmakers to approve a new specialty plate that would include a depiction of the Confederate battle flag, which many groups associate with the segregationist South.
The idea has been called divisive by state Rep. Ed Jennings, D-Gainesville, chairman of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators. The NAACP condemned it.
But when asked if he would sign into law legislation creating the tag, Bush said, "I don't know, we'll have to see."
He added, though, "I'm not going to buy one, I know that."
For the tag to win approval, organizations must show that at least 15,000 vehicle owners would consider buying it, submit a $60,000 application and get the measure approved by the Legislature.
Eight other states already have tags on the road available only to members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, which consists of descendants of those who fought in the Civil War. The Florida tag, if approved by lawmakers, would be available to any motorist.
Bush said he would want to know how the money from tag sales would be used before deciding whether to approve it. The group pushing the plate has said proceeds would help pay for its historic preservation projects, which include locating Confederate graves and maintaining historic flags and artifacts.
Bush reiterated his discomfort with the Confederate flag as a symbol. In 2001, he ordered one that had flown at the Capitol for 22 years taken down, saying it was divisive.
"Florida is a progressive, future-oriented state," Bush said. "We should be mindful and respectful of our history, but I don't think we need to be entirely focused on our past."
John W. Adams, Florida division commander of Sons of Confederate Veterans, said he was glad Bush seemed to be "taking a wait-and-see attitude."
Adams said the organization will probably move ahead with its proposal next month.
Meanwhile Thursday, Bush and the Cabinet approved four new auto license plates, giving Floridians the option of paying more for their tags to help fight child abuse or heart disease, show support for Nova University or tell the world they are former paratroopers.
The paratrooper tag can only be purchased by people who have completed Army jump school or been decorated as a parachutist. The extra $20 fee goes to the state Homes for Veterans Trust Fund.
Extra fees for "Stop Child Abuse" and "Stop Heart Disease" tags go to those causes; the additional money from the Nova plate goes to the school.