MN Bill Threatens to Cut Funding for Cities Flying Old State Flag

Debate over whether to fly the current Minnesota state flag has led to a bill introduced Monday threatening to cut local and state government aid to jurisdictions choosing to fly the old flag instead.

The Debate: Star Tribune (Lean Left bias) and CBS News (Lean Left) highlighted both the current debate which has been ongoing for 2 years since the state flag was officially redesigned, and the history of the former flag that was flown in recognition of Minnesota since 1983. Star Tribune asserted that "A flag is supposed to represent the entire state," but "Instead, Minnesota is dividing into warring camps, each with its own battle flag." According to the Star Tribune, "Some Minnesotans had been calling for a new flag for decades," and the new flag was waved during the ICE surge "in a show of pride and defiance." Others, like a man speaking at Champlin City Council, one of the cities which has elected to continue flying the old flag, said "That [new] flag was forced upon the people of this state by a communist trifecta in our statehouse." One of the chief complaints reported by the Star Tribune, however, is that the new flag "looks just like the flag of Somalia."

The Bill: "Democrats want to take money from cities that fly the old state flag," was the headline for a MinnPost (Center) article breaking down what the bill, if passed, would mean and how much funding could be taken from these jurisdictions. The bill was introduced by the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party and proposes a 10% cut to local government aid (LGA) for cities who choose to continue flying the former state flag.   

'Dead On Arrival': Fox News (Right) highlighted many voices opposing the new flag and the "ridiculous" bill to "punish" cities who choose to fly the old one. Mayor of Champlin, Ryan Sabas, according to the article "called the bill a 'ridiculous' reaction to a growing opposition movement," adding that Democrats are "scared that this [movement] has gained traction." Crosslake Mayor Jackson Purfeerst (R) called the bill "insane" and "total government overreach." Lisa Demuth, Republican Minnesota House Speaker called the bill "dead on arrival," saying "It is appalling that House Democrats would rather defund critical services like police and fire than allow a city to fly our historic state flag."  

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