Bill lets drivers peel ‘Famous Potatoes’

Idahoans might like their spuds, but not all of them want “Famous Potatoes” on their license plates.

The Legislature is considering a bill to let drivers choose a generic red, white and blue plate with no mention of spuds – the one thing most people generally associate with Idaho. The state already issues more than 50 specialty plates without the toast to tubers.

“It’s out of no disrespect,” Sen. Hal Bunderson, R-Meridian, said Thursday when he introduced Senate Bill 1366 to the Senate Transportation Committee.

But with all the newcomers who don’t appreciate the state’s third-largest agricultural commodity, behind milk and cattle, Bunderson said people should have a choice.

The Idaho Potato Commission previously fought efforts to uproot the slogan that has been on Idaho plates since 1960. But the agency has waged no such effort this time. Not yet, at least.

No potato commission official spoke at Thursday’s hearing on the bill, where lawmakers took no action.