When someone says the word “Kansas,” what do you think of? Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz? Flat, unending plains?

Kansas officials wanted to promote their state. So they designed a new license plate. Starting in March 2024, Kansas drivers would have to buy a new plate for 50 cents. To avoid using the new plate, they would have to pay an extra $45 for a specialty plate.

The problem? People didn’t like the new design. They call it ugly and dull. Some say it looks too much like New York’s plate. Other Kansans complain it matches the colors of a rival state football team.

The proposed plate was navy blue and deep gold. It featured no art, just two star shapes. The bottom showed the first half of the state motto, “To the stars.”

The second half of the motto is, “through difficulties.” And difficulty is just what happened when officials introduced the new design. People took one look and said, “No way!”

Kansas’ old plate is pale blue with navy letters and numbers. It shows an embossed state seal, mostly in white. As years pass, that design breaks down on plates. Police officers struggle to read the letters and numbers on them.

Kansas has some beautiful places to see. But many outsiders think of it as “flyover country.” (That means most people don’t go there for fun. They just fly over it in planes to get somewhere else.) So for many Kansans, a dull plate won’t do.

Governor Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that she slammed the brakes on the new plate’s production. That was only six days after her office unveiled the design. She promised that people would get to vote on a new design instead.

To the people of Kansas, she says, “I’ve heard you loud and clear.”

What do you think of the gold and blue license plate? How would you design a new license plate for your state? Snap a photo of your design and send it to us at worldkidseditor@gwnews.com.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. — Proverbs 16:9