Vermont's governor made a mistake when he said 25,000 of the ‘Vermont Strong' license plates were sold.
On Thursday, the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicle said just over 7,800 plates have been sold, not 25,000.
In April, the governor held a celebration for what was thought to be the half-way point in the quest to sell enough plates to raise $1 million for the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund. The fund was created over a year ago following the spring flooding.
So—where was the mix-up? According to the governor's office, Gov. Shumlin thought he was buying the 25,000 plate sold, but it was actually the 25,000 plate made. The governor's office said they obviously made an error and apologize.
VTStrong plates produced and sold as of Tuesday, May 15, according to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles:
How many plates have come off the assembly line? 28,035
2. Total cost the state has incurred to produce those plates? $136,250.10 ($4.86 per plate)
3. Number of plates sold? 7832
4. Plate-generated revenue taken in by the DMV? $195,800
5. Plate-generated revenue sent by the DMV to the Vermont Disaster Relief Fund? VT Disaster Relief = $140,976 Food Bank = $15,664 (as of May 15, 2012. April money transfers are in process and included in this amount.)
6. Number of plates being held on consignment at retail outlets across the state?
Here is a breakdown of stock -
Total Plates Ordered = 28,035
- 9990 (Bulk orders to vendors)
- 3800 (currently residing at VCI)
- 4000 (For VT Life Sales)
- 2413 (At DMV Locations)
- 7832 (Plates Sold and monies collected)
- Total = 28,035
