California thinking of dropping "Black Plate" program, not enough interest. http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2014/01/23/california-black-plate-program-still-at-least-1780-orders-short-of-implementation/?refer=news
Seems like a real potential for revenue for a state on the down and outs. Take what you can get. I'm sure once the word gets out more will take part.
Brings up the question, does your state have a licence plate program for older vehicles ?
As I understand it, California had a program ( one of the first I believe) allowing "year of Manufacture".
, basically you could find old plates in good condition of the same year as your vehicle and register them to use on your older vehicle as long as the number/letter combination didn't coincide with anything currently in use.
They have this program here in Arizona.