ST. PAUL – Should the fate of Minnesota’s flag be decided by a few appointees on a state commission or all Minnesotans?
State Representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) said the decision should be made by residents, as he is supporting new proposals that would allow Minnesotans to vote on the new flag design that has been approved by the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission. Davids recently took part in a State Capitol press conference that unveiled the legislation.
“From the board of commissioners in Houston County to a resident in Leroy, I have heard from people across this district who are upset with this entire process,” Davids said. “The state flag is more than a symbol; it is something that represents all of us. The people want to be heard on this topic, and by utilizing their right to vote they can decide if the new flag design is the right flag design.”
Not long ago, the Minnesota State Emblems Redesign Commission approved a new state flag. During the hearing, commission members were told by the Secretary of State that voting on a new flag was unconstitutional.
After consulting with nonpartisan experts, several legal ways were discovered that could make the process constitutional and put the flag design up for a vote this November. Davids said each process has its own separate bill, and it would be up to a majority of supporting lawmakers to decide which avenue works best for the State of Minnesota.
Since the commission finished its redesign decisions, the Houston County Board and the Mower County Board approved resolutions in opposition to the new state flag and state seal, and the Fillmore County Board sent a letter to state officials with concerns over the costs of implementing the new designs on a county-wide level.
Davids said a recent analysis found that roughly 75% of Minnesotans have some level of dissatisfaction over the process to create a new state flag or the final product itself.
“Under this legislation if the public votes to approve, the commission’s work is done,” Davids said. “If it’s not approved, they go back to the drawing board. Either way, the residents of Minnesota should be heard on the flag topic and be allowed to share their opinion by casting a yes or no vote this November.”