Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Marie Demuth said on April 28 that proposed legislation to enforce the 2024 state flag redesign through funding penalties will not advance in the legislature. Demuth’s comments come as several Minnesota communities have chosen to retain or return to the previous state flag design.
The issue has gained attention after eight Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) lawmakers introduced House File 5077, which would direct the commissioner of revenue to reduce local government aid by 10 percent for any county or city that flies or uses a state flag other than the new 2024 version certified by the State Emblems Redesign Commission. The measure was referred to the House Tax committee, according to Demuth’s X post.
Demuth said, “That bill is dead on arrival. There is no way this bill is moving through. To know that Democrats are trying to take funding away from our police and fire, from our cities, it’s ridiculous. We have real work that could help Minnesotans. They felt as Minnesotans, they were disrespected in the process and everyone I have talked to wants the old flag back or at least a choice in the matter,” according to her statement shared on X.
A growing number of Minnesota cities and counties have voted to continue flying or switch back to the old 1983 state flag design. Communities including Elk River, Champlin, Zumbrota, North Branch, Detroit Lakes, Pine Island, Crosslake and Babbitt have passed resolutions or council decisions favoring the historic flag over the 2024 version. Inver Grove Heights recently joined following a council vote, according to MPR News.
Local governments across Minnesota provide essential services funded in part through state local government aid distributed to cities and counties. The proposed legislation would impose a 10 percent reduction in that aid for localities choosing the previous flag design rather than the new one. Multiple additional communities such as St. Francis, Ham Lake and Columbus have also taken action to retain the historic flag according to Star Tribune.
Demuth represents District 13A in the Minnesota House and previously served as assistant Republican leader and Republican leader before assuming her current role. The Cold Spring area business owner and mother of four was first elected to the House in 2018 from Stearns County according to her official profile.
