Rep. Strang Burgess Extends Deadline to May 18th to
Register for License Plate for Breast Cancer Support Services
AUGUSTA – State Rep. Meredith Strang Burgess said today that she has extended until May 18th the deadline for Maine residents to sign up for a special license plate to aid breast cancer support services. She had originally set May 1st as the deadline to collect the 2,000 reservations required before Maine’s secretary of state will begin work on the plate.
“We’ve extended the deadline for 17 days, but that is the last chance to get the forms in before the end of this legislative session,” said Rep. Strang Burgess (R-Cumberland), who is a breast cancer survivor. “We need to get the 2,000 reservation forms in by then if we are going to get a pink plate ready for release in October 2008.”
The plate would be authorized under LD 775, sponsored by Rep. Strang Burgess and cosponsored by 66 other legislators. The bill is expected to pass easily but will not be brought up for a vote until the campaign can register at least 2,000 reservations for the plate. Along with reservation forms, individuals must submit a check for $20 to secure their plates when they become available.
“If we do not reach the 2,000 mark by May 18th, we will still collect forms on an ongoing basis until we reach 2,000,” she added. “We would then propose the bill for the second session of the 123rd Legislature next January, but that would delay the release of the plate by at least one year.”
The easiest way to sign up for one of the specialty plates is by visiting the web site www.mainecancer.org. The plates will cost $20 in addition to the regular motor vehicle registration fee, and annual renewals will cost an additional $15. With each new plate purchased, $10 will go to one of three funds established by groups that help Maine cancer patients. Another $10 will be donated for each subsequent plate renewal.
The three entities that would benefit from the program are the Maine Breast Cancer Coalition’s Support Services Fund, the Maine Cancer Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund, and the Maine Breast and Cervical Health Program’s Mammogram Fund.
“The issue is of critical importance,” said Rep. Strang Burgess. “The money raised by this specialty plate will benefit early detection for under-served and uninsured Maine women, help patients who need financial assistance during treatment and recovery, and invest in research to eradicate breast cancer once and for all.”