◄ Back to Driving Force, Spring 2016
Corvette Fever in the Gem State
Senator Jim Patrick
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| Idaho Senator Jim Patrick, District 25 | |
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| Long-time Corvette fan Senator Jim Patrick and his 2014 convertible on a cold winter day in Idaho. |
Idaho Senator Jim Patrick is a certifiable car guy. Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, and with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Idaho, Patrick has been a member of the Idaho State Legislature since 2006. He’s a Chevy Corvette man all the way. While he’s owned many ’Vettes, including an ’09, an ’04 and a ’76, he has a special affinity for his ’14, which took eight months to acquire but is in his words “built the best.”
Senator Patrick and his grandson Dustin are regular guests to the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas. He doesn’t think he’ll ever see the entire trade show, even though he’s given it his best effort. “There’s so much more to it than the cars,” he says. “I’m equally impressed by the vast array of innovative products and project builds and I enjoy meeting the professionals behind them.”
He also enjoys the friendships he’s made with other members of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. Members of this caucus of car-crazy legislators attend the Show and participate in a variety of activities, including a networking dinner that is the highlight of Show week. “I’d like more Idaho legislators to join the Caucus, especially my fellow gearheads,” he says. He believes there are others who aren’t involved in the automotive hobby but would likely also take an interest in the group.
In fact, his latest legislative endeavor is one he appropriated from Caucus members in other states. This year he is seeking a state law that would provide for the issuance of a single rear-mounted license plate for motor vehicles. Alternatively, he will forward legislation to allow a single plate for vehicles that were not originally equipped with a display bracket on the front of the vehicle and those hobby cars that are not yet allowed to run a single plate.
“Many cars of today and yesterday have been designed without a place for a front plate, including Corvettes, Lamborghinis and Porsches. It doesn’t seem practical to require owners to modify a vehicle to fit this requirement. Plus, these plates often block airflow to the radiator. In addition, these laws would save taxpayer money, conserve resources and bring Idaho in line with other states that are moving to a single-plate requirement.”