It seems that no legislative session goes by without the creation of at least one more special license plate. Today, the Senate voted 24-11 for a new “Support Our Troops” plate to benefit Support Our Troops Inc., a charitable organization that’s organized in all 50 states. Already, 45 states have established special license plates to fund the group; the proposal is pending in the rest of the states. Money raised by the special plates would go to Idaho military families for “living, educational and health care needs,” according to the bill. SB 1131 now moves to the House.

Sen. Joe Stegner, R-Lewiston, long has opposed all special license plates. “I will be voting against this bill, not because I have any particular disagreement with the purpose of this bill,” he told the Senate. “I have a general disagreement with a proliferation of specialty license plates. … We give them out politically to a select group of people whom we choose to favor.” Said Sen. Brad Little, R-Emmett, “We’ve got too many special license plates.”

Sen. David Langhorst, D-Boise, told the Senate, “It’s a way for people who wish to, to show their support. If you don’t like it, don’t buy one.”

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