State ponders new specialty license plate

BOISE — The Idaho House Transportation and Defense Committee was torn Thursday after representatives from Orofino High School asked the committee for permission to create a new specialty state license plate that would include the school’s mascot — the Orofino Maniacs. 

Five people testified against the bill, saying the mascot — a cartoon man screaming and wearing the school’s letters — is offensive to those with mental illness.

The school is located near Idaho State Hospital North, an adult psychiatric hospital.

Kathie Garrett, vice president of Idaho National Alliance on Mental Illness, said the term “maniac” is offensive and the mascot perpetuates a negative stigma about people with mental illness.

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