Former Congressman Bill Sali was back at Idaho's Capitol Wednesday pitching a bill to create a specialty license plate that would finance a non-profit group he created last month to advance the "foundational principles and history of the United States of America."
Sali's new plate would include "In God We Trust" for those paying extra fees of $35 the first year, and $25 annually thereafter. Roughly half the extra fees would go to the Idaho Transportation Department. (In the year a motorist buys a plate, Sali's group would receive $22 a plate; in subsequent renewal years Sali's group would receive $12 a plate). About 30 specialty license plates generate $1.6 million in annual revenue, the most populare being Idaho Fish & Game's wildlife plates.
The House Transportation Committee introduced the bill with a single dissenting vote from Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise, who said. "I think you're too politically motivated."
A hearing will be held later.
Sali said after the hearing that he is considering running for an open Idaho House seat in the May GOP primary.
He also said he expects the plate would sell between 1,000 and 2,000 copies in the first year. "These tend to be pretty popular in other states. We could hit the 5,000-plate range. I don't know how long it'll take to get there."
Sali's bill would benefit the Kuna-based American Heritage Foundation, which he and his wife, Terry, registered with the Secretary of State Jan. 25.
The group will promote good citizenship, patriotism and the U.S. Constitution and other foundational documents, Sali said.
Sali said he and his wife comprise two of the three members on the American Heritage Foundation Board. The third director is Travis Pascoe of Nampa, Sali's nephew.
Sali noted that "In God We Trust" appears on U.S. currency and that 11 states have such plates. Sali, however, said many people don't recognize "In God We Trust" as the national motto.
"If people don't understand that our national motto is 'In God We Trust,' we have a long ways to go," Sali said.
Among the books Sali brought to the committee was Ezra Taft Benson's, "The Proper Role of Government," and "The Good Citizens Handbook: A Guide to Proper Behavior."
The latter, by Jennifer McKnight-Trontz, is a collection of real guidance from government, civics, and Boy Scout handbooks from the 1920s to 1960s. It includes instructions on how proper dental hygiene, a pleasant demeanor, and obedience of minor laws can help "ensure the health and happiness of nation, neighbor, and kin."
Sali, a Republican, spent 16 years representing southwest Ada County in the Idaho House and two years in Congress before his defeat in 2008.
"What a delight it is to be here," Sali said as he stood before the committee.
Shortly before introducing Sali's bill, the committee killed Senate Bill 1243, which would have barred additional specialty plates unless they benefit the state or public agencies or foundations supporting the interests of state or local government.
Senate Bill 1243 passed the Senate 31-2 and was sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Hammond, R-Post Falls.
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Sell coins and commemorative plates, Bill.
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VOICES is the only realy part of the Statesman LEFT. Guess McClatchy has finally killed the paper.
I wish Sali would just go away.
Go away Bill and take your wife with you....Sunny...
Agreed!
Sally has gotten just plain pathetic!
Far away isn't far enough..............
if he wants to be so religious he should move down south with the other wackos from Idaho who tried to reform all of us heathens. All I can do is email my rep & ITD to stop this idiot before his religious zeal spreads to other forms of public use. Idaho is too far north to become another card-carrying member of the Bible belt.
God bless Phylis King
Get a job, Bill.
He wants the taxpayers to pay for his job!
For a guy who claims to want small government, takes a lot of nerve to seek to have the legislature create a job for him with this foundation with no track record.
Sali's definition of
"foundational principles" sends a shiver down my spine.
This freak is so far out there not even the Republicans claim him.
Not so sure about that. I
Not so sure about that. I would be willing to bet that the republicans push this through so Bill can raise money and pay himself as Executive Director of this sham non-profit.
Wow. This non-profit has
Wow. This non-profit has been operating for less than two weeks, and they're already trying to get a license plate?
Wow. Just Wow.
I bet
Wayne Hoffman is kicking himself that he didn't think of it first.
Unless he was the one who gave his former boss the idea of the "nonprofit" dodge in the first place.
It's time to go non-profit, apparently
Maybe we should all go down to the Statehouse to ask for our own plates...
Hey Bill Sali
Get a haircut and get a real job.
Love, George Thorogood
Maybe you should of spent ...............
........... more time creating jobs in Idaho instead of "having fun" when you were suppose to be working for us -------- now there might be a job for you instead of trying to create another scam on the people of Idaho .
Have you forgotten that even your own party doesn't want to be associated with someone like you -------- move on .
And the 3rd Board member is....
Brandi Swindell of course.
Manifest Destiny, the law of the land.
I'm guessing the third member is somebody else in his family
Son-in-law? Daughter?
Actually heard today it is his nephew. No shame.
Are you kidding me?
This bottom feeder is trying to continue to scarf at the public trough courtesy of taxpayer money. I can't believe this could possibly pass the legislature. However, if it does, I am going to start my own non profit called the Freedom From Tyranny Foundation, whose soul purpose will be to educate the people of Idaho about the excesses of one party rule. We will take a historical look at the German Nazi party, the Russian Communist party, the Iraq Baath party, and the Idaho Republican party. This group will be funded with a state license plate that displays the DON'T TREAD ON ME logo wrapped around a snake. When the legislature refuses to authorize my license plate and the designated funds for my foundation, I will sue the state of Idaho for denying me the same benefit that they gave to Sali. I think the legislature might want to consider the can of worms they would be opening up by authorizing the distribution of state funds to Bill Sali and his sham non profit.
Count me in...
I'll be the first to buy your license plate.
Count me
as number two.
I don't like this one bit
I don't like this one bit either. I agree with you that its a sham. It is sleazy and slimy. However, this isn't tax payer money. People choose to pay extra for these specialized plates, so therefore, its more of a donation.
Although, we shouldn't even be discussing this for a sham non-profit that has only been in business for two weeks, and Bill Sali already said that their purpose is to hand out free copies of the constitution. Its a joke all around.
It's seedy at best
You know people will automatically buy the plates without thinking... Sali's counting on that. The branding angle here is so genius it's sickening.
I don't care that it's no taxpayer money..our resources are used
Public agencies should not be used to promote scam foundations.
I don't like this one bit
I don't like this one bit either. I agree with you that its a sham. It is sleazy and slimy. However, this isn't tax payer money. People choose to pay extra for these specialized plates, so therefore, its more of a donation.
Although, we shouldn't even be discussing this for a sham non-profit that has only been in business for two weeks, and Bill Sali already said that their purpose is to hand out free copies of the constitution. Its a joke all around.
Sounds like a scam to me...
Please make a license plate that will benefit the organization I set up so I can milk a salary out for myself and my wife.
The way this guy tries to exploit the system is disgusting! I guess he saw how Wayne Hoffman is bringing in the bucks with his "foundation" and wants to follow suit.
I was hoping he would stay in Washington DC but we got him back. Darn.
Why does this remind me of...
A quote from Men in Black II..."There is a free mental health clinic at the corner of violet and east valley. Next!"
Check this out
http://www.americanheritage.org/ It appears Mr. Sali is trying to start a nonprofit that has already been started. Ooooopsies.
no, that's different
That's the American Heritage EDUCATION Foundation.
This is the American Heritage Foundation.
http://americanheritagefoundation.org/
However, to judge by the message and the area code, that's a different organization, too.
"Famous Brainfade"
Now that's a license plate for the entire Hoffman, Sali, Chenoweth, teabagger crowd!
He should be ashamed!
A lame attempt to piggy back his foundation on the good name of GOD!
Ashamed?
Bill Sali? Ashamed?
Are you new here?
Ha! Good one.
First laugh of the morning.
What is wrong with these people?!?
Is there no end to the ways they will let legislators exploit the system for their own gain? Somebody needs to call this leach out and kill this bill...but they won't because they will be afraid to go against anything promoting "In God We Trust". A vote against Sali's scam will be considered a vote against God.
When will common sense come back to the legislature? Are they all suffering from "brain fade"?
Common sense will come back
Common sense will come back to the legislature as soon as Idahoans wake up and stop voting for a crooked one-party system.
OMG!!!
And he's not even a legislator!!!!! He's a FORMER legislator!!!!!!!!!
I do trust in God...but I don't trust Bill Sali or his wife
Please, don't vote for this bill.
"NOT FOR PROFIT"
in this case means, not for public viewing of how much money I can get from you suckers that we are trusting god will usher in our direction. Further evidence of the level of corruption in the party.
Bill Sali, one of those rare
Bill Sali, one of those rare individuals that could only ever find political relevance in Idaho or somewhere in the deep south.
Why am I not suprised
"The House Transportation Committee introduced the bill with a single dissenting vote from Rep. Phylis King, D-Boise,"
I say In God we trust but from the left we require cash.
Why am I not surprised that
Why am I not surprised that you would make such an idiotic comment?
You really are a fruit cake
You really are a fruit cake arnt you
Think that out again!
You've complimented him for the qualities of lasting for ages and people not wishing to consume him!
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It's still clunky and the writing is horrible as usual
Legislators are wasting time...
This is such a waste of legislative time and focus. Hell no, don't pass this BS bill. Are the committee members a bunch of idiots? No need to answer. Hey Legislators, stop the insanity and work on some real-world issues.
Trust
In God we trust, all others cash only, in American dollars
sad to say
Wow it's hard to estimate the damage these self interested Repubilcans have done to the great state of Idaho. Vote for a Democrat next time.
HEY MAN! WHAT IS GOD'S CUT?
Are you trying to RIP GOD OFF, BILL?
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It's still clunky and the writing is horrible as usual
God
These days it sure seems lots of people are trying to make money off using God.
In greed
'In greed we trust' seems more fitting.
Anyone betting on whether or not the bill becomes law?
I'm betting that it will, with the R majority firmly suppporting it. Watch for the new license plates soon.
And watch for Bill Sali filing for the primary and general election. He needs the money.
If I was Bill
I'd just keep slurp, slurp, slurping at the public trough as long as the stupid Idaho rednecks kept filling it up.
Oh, of course...
While it's one of the most brazen, bald-faced money grabs I've ever seen, it is also terribly clever. Who's going to oppose License plates that say "In God We Trust"? What Idaho Legislator is getting in the way of that, other than Maxine Horn? The Ol' Boy's Club knows where their bread is buttered... pandering and catering to the hard religious right is what grants them the power they have. Even if some of them are queasy about Sali, they still gotta keep up appearances, at the very least. The bill will pass. Barf.
My choice
When can I buy a "In Reason I Trust" license plate???