US EditionRhode Island May Ditch Mr. Potato Head License Plates After Hasbro's Move to Boston
Lawmakers cite economic harm and tax revenue loss from Hasbro’s move, proposing to end the $40 plate that supports the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
- Earlier this month, lawmakers introduced a proposal that would have Rhode Island's Division of Motor Vehicles stop offering Mr. Potato Head as a specialty license plate, with two lawmakers urging reconsideration after Hasbro's move announcement.
- Hasbro announced last year that it would move to Boston by the end of 2026 after operating in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, for nearly 70 years.
- The specialty plate costs around $40, with half of that supporting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, which has received nearly $60,000 from the initiative, Kate MacDonald said.
- Republican Rep. Brian Newberry filed legislation citing the bill's claim of "untold economic harm and loss of tax revenue" from Hasbro's departure and said, `There is no reason we should be advertising their products on our license plates`, while Hasbro was contacted for comment.
- Historically, Mr. Potato Head has been around since 1952 as the first toy advertised on television, evolving from vegetable play to a plastic spud and appearing in Toy Story films with a plate first issued in 2002.
35 Articles
35 Articles
No more Mr. Potato Head license plates: Rhode Island mulls revenge after getting ditched by Hasbro
It’s been no small potatoes that Rhode Islanders have been able to choose the image of Mr. Potato Head as a specialty license plate for decades. Yet with Hasbro’s decision to move its headquarters from the smallest state in the U.S. to Boston, two lawmakers say it’s time to hash out whether Rhode Island should continue promoting one of the company’s most iconic characters. Under the proposal introduced earlier this month, Rhode Island’s Division…
Associated Press News
Rhode Island may ditch Mr. Potato Head license plates after Hasbro's move to Boston
Rhode Islanders have long been able to choose Mr. Potato Head for their specialty license plates. However, Hasbro's decision to move its headquarters to Boston has motivated two lawmakers to propose ending the option of Mr.
The Columbian
Rhode Island may ditch Mr. Potato Head license plates after Hasbro moves to Boston
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — It’s been no small potatoes that Rhode Islanders have been able to choose the image of Mr. Potato Head as a specialty license plate for decades. Read more...
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