Minnesota Democrats push bill to financially penalize cities flying old state flag

Minnesota Democrats have introduced legislation that would financially penalize cities and counties choosing to display the state’s former flag, as several local governments continue to reject the design adopted in recent years. The proposal comes as the dispute over the flag hasn’t really settled down across parts of the state.

Under the bill, municipalities that opt to fly the old flag could face reductions in state funding. The measure follows a series of local decisions to keep or restore the previous design, despite the official adoption of a new state flag in 2024.

Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth said the legislation is unlikely to advance. “Let me be clear - this Democrat bill has NO path forward in the Minnesota House of Representatives,” she said.

The push comes after multiple cities moved to bring back the old flag. In Elk River, according to Alpha News, the city council unanimously voted on April 20 to fly the previous design on city-owned property. The decision followed a public feedback process.

Mayor John Dietz said the city received more than 1,100 responses, with roughly 75 percent supporting the old flag. The council approved the resolution unanimously, and the measure took effect the following day. Attendees at the meeting applauded after the vote. Other municipalities, including Zumbrota and Champlin, have also passed resolutions this year to continue flying the former flag.

The new flag was created through a redesign process initiated in 2023, when Democratic lawmakers established a commission tasked with selecting a replacement for the state’s existing flag and seal. The commission was granted authority to finalize the design without requiring legislative approval.

DFL Rep. Mike Freiberg, who supported the redesign effort, previously said the former flag depicted “white settlers displacing Native Americans” and “violates every principle of flag design," referring to a set of arbitrary rules made up by the North American Vexillological Association that aim for sterile, cookie-cutter designs.

The redesigned flag officially became the state’s flag on May 11, 2024. It has been criticized for bearing a resemblance to the flag of Somalia.