Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, pitched a proposal today from a fourth-grade class at Iona Elementary School to designate huckleberry pie as the state dessert. “I’m hoping this bill gets pie-partisan support, because any way you slice it, the huckleberry pie gives you a good filling,” Nate told the House State Affairs Committee.

There was some grumbling from the committee. “If you don’t like huckleberry pie, are the citizens of the state going to be compelled to eat this stuff?” asked committee Chair Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona. Other committee members wondered why the huckleberry shake or ice cream weren’t proposed instead, to support the state’s dairy industry.

Rep. Dustin Manwaring, R-Pocatello, said, “I like huckleberries. That’s already our state fruit, but I think we’ll have a good discussion on whether we should have a state dessert.” He moved to introduce the bill.

Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, said, “I’m not going to be able to support the motion. We’re just encouraging further frivolousness.”

The motion carried, but three members asked to be recorded as voting no: Barbieri, Loertscher, and Rep. Jason Monks, R-Nampa.

---

---