Hammond: Gov’t shouldn’t be in ‘fundraising biz for private organizations’

Senate Transportation Chairman Jim Hammond told the Senate that there are now more than 30 specialty license plates, raising $1.6 million a year. The biggest single chunk was from wildlife plates, which are the most popular and benefit Idaho Fish & Game, but Hammond said the remaining $778,000 goes to “various organizations, from the Appaloosa Horse Club to the Valley Corvettes,” and he contended there’s insufficient accounting for the funds. “Government ought not be in the fundraising business for private organizations,” Hammond said.

Hammond said his bill, SB 1243, would grandfather in existing specialty plates, and would allow new ones if they’re related to a government purpose. Under questioning from other senators, he said his bill wouldn’t preclude the currently pending bill for a sesquicentennial plate commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Idaho Territory, with funds going to local historical societies.