For decades, a cherished cartoon character has adorned Rhode Island's specialty license plates, becoming a familiar sight on the state's roads. However, a major corporate relocation has sparked a heated debate about whether this iconic plate should now be retired.
A Legacy Under Threat
Hasbro, the global toy giant, has called Pawtucket, Rhode Island, home for nearly 70 years. This long-standing relationship was celebrated locally through a prominent statue of Mr Potato Head and, since 2002, a specialty license plate featuring the toy. The plate was created to commemorate the toy's 50th anniversary and depicts Mr Potato Head holding a sign for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, with the slogan 'Help End Hunger' at the bottom.
Corporate Departure Sparks Political Reaction
The landscape shifted dramatically in 2025 when Hasbro announced plans to relocate its corporate headquarters to Boston. This decision has left state lawmakers grappling with the symbolic and practical implications of continuing to promote the company's product on official state property.
Republican State Representative Brian Newberry has taken a firm stance, proposing legislation to remove the Mr Potato Head plate from circulation. He argues that Hasbro's departure constitutes an economic betrayal that will cause significant harm to the state through lost tax revenue and diminished corporate presence.
'There is no reason we should be advertising their products on our license plates,' Representative Newberry stated in an interview. 'It may seem trivial compared to many other things but it’s a matter of self-respect.'
Public Sentiment Divided
The proposal has resonated with some residents who feel embittered by Hasbro's move. On social media platforms, critics have voiced their support for removing the plate, with one Reddit user sarcastically referring to the company as 'HADbro' in the past tense. Another commenter labelled the corporation as 'greedy,' claiming it now stands in polar opposition to its former values.
However, the debate extends beyond mere corporate loyalty or state pride. The specialty plate, which costs motorists approximately $40, directs half of its profits to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. Over the years, this initiative has generated nearly $60,000 for the organisation, providing a steady, if diminished, stream of charitable funding.
Charitable Concerns and Counterarguments
Kate MacDonald, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, acknowledged the plate's valuable contribution to their fundraising efforts. 'While it has tapered off over the years, it’s been a steady way for people to contribute,' she noted. The food bank has expressed openness to new fundraising ideas but faces potential financial impact from the plate's discontinuation.
This charitable angle has prompted opposition to Representative Newberry's bill. Volunteer Lew Pryeor highlighted the potential consequences for vital food programs, stating, 'My concern is, any cuts into the food programs is gonna affect some people.' He offered a simple alternative to legislative action: 'For him to say that he doesn’t like the plates, well, that’s your prerogative. Don’t buy them. If it’s making money for the state, let it.'
A Symbolic Crossroads
The controversy places Rhode Island at a symbolic crossroads. On one side is the argument for retaining a plate that supports a worthy local cause, regardless of the corporate sponsor's location. On the other is the principle of state dignity and the refusal to promote a company that has chosen to leave.
As the smallest state in the US by area, Rhode Island's identity is closely tied to its homegrown institutions. Hasbro's planned exit from Pawtucket after more than seven decades represents a significant cultural and economic shift. The debate over the Mr Potato Head license plate has become a focal point for broader discussions about corporate citizenship, state pride, and the practical needs of local charities in the wake of corporate relocation.
