I've Got a Bridge To Sell You

Have you ever been in a situation in which you needed to quickly identify a vehicle?

I recall getting hit from behind by a speeding vehicle in Bridgeport as we exited from a minor league baseball game. I focused so quickly on the license plate of the car as it screamed through a red light to get away. My adrenaline rushed like a river.

Can you imagine being in a similar situation and telling one of ‘our finest', well I did not fully get the plate but I know the guy must have liked Rick's Plumbing or Speedy's Car Wash? What am I talking about? Why do I raise this topic? Well, with so many states in our nation strapped for cash do not be surprised if you see states selling ads on license plates. Really? Yes sir. Check this out… 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – Illinois is so hard up for money that it's studying the possibility of selling ads on state license plates.

The idea is to offer special corporate-sponsored plates. Drivers would get a discount on the price, and businesses would put their logos on the plates.

Lawmakers voted last month to have the secretary of state study the pros and cons of corporate plates. The study is supposed to be finished by Jan. 1

Texas already allows corporate plates, which are produced by a firm called My Plates. Spokeswoman Kim Drummond says they're like “little billboards” spreading a company's messages across the state.

Sen. John Mulroe of Chicago says he hopes the corporate plates will bring Illinois more money without raising taxes.

The bill is SB1360.

Would you be more inclined to report somebody if they had an ad from a business or organization you really disliked? As a Cubs fan would you be more inclined to report somebody with a White Sox plate and less inclined to do the same to a fellow Cubbie?

What else will be for sale as we continue to navigate our economic landscape? I know of a number of money managers who are already building pools of capital fully expecting that a wide array of municipal assets will be for sale in the months and years ahead.

Do not be surprised when you hear, “I've got a bridge to sell you” and they really mean it.

Navigate accordingly.

Larry Doyle

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I have no affiliation or business interest with any entity referenced in this commentary. The opinions expressed are my own. I am a proponent of real transparency within our markets so that investor confidence and investor protection can be achieved.