Buried in the state's transportation budget that was passed in July is a bill that would allow Ohio to join 19 other states to remove the front license plate from our cars.
Now, Senators Joe Uecker (R -Miami Township), and Jay Hottinger (R- Newark) want to overturn the law saying its simply bad law.
"This is a significant tool for law enforcement not to catch speeders but to catch serious violators serious criminals and to prevent future serious criminal acts," says Hottinger.
During a press conference announcing their attempt to prevent Ohio from becoming a one-plate state, Grove City Police Chief Richard Butsko used a specific example of why the state should remain a two-plate state.
"Let me tell you about the tragic case of Ohio State University student Reagan Tokes. Her body was found murdered in a park in Grove City in 2017. We didn't know what happened to her or what happened to her car," he said.
But thanks to a license plate reader on a garbage truck, police say they were able to search a license plate database to see if her license plate had ever been photographed. It had. It gave officers a date and location.
"The license plate reader only captured her front plate. DNA evidence what was found in her car which ultimately led to the conviction of her killer. Without the front plate we may not have found Reagans' car we may not have taken a dangerous criminal off the street," Chief Butsko said.
So how did it get reduced to one plate? Supporters of a bill to bring back two license plates believe legislators were swayed by those who don't see the need for two plates.
"I think there is a large group of Ohioans who are supportive of going to a single plate. This is a significant tool for law enforcement not to catch speeders but to catch serious violators serious criminals and to prevent future serious criminal acts," Hottinger said.
Owners of specialty and sports cars have lobbied for dropping the front plate for several years. They argue it devalues a vehicle by drilling holes into the car. Also, bumpers on new cars increasingly have embedded technology for assisted parking and driving.
By removing the front license plate, Ohio will save between $1.2 and $1.4 million a year.
Ohio has required a front plate since 1908, except 1944-46 when Ohio wanted to conserve steel for the war effort.