Minnesota’s bill would cut state aid to cities and counties that fly the old flag

The Minnesota House of Representatives has introduced a bill that would penalize cities and counties for not flying the redesigned state flag.

Members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) caucus pushed legislation Monday to reduce state aid to a county or city that “flies or uses a state flag other than the state flag design as certified in a report by the State Emblem Redesign Commission.”

If passed, the bill would go into effect in 2027.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to members of the Minnesota state House and the speaker of the House for comment.

This bill followed several cities and communities in recent years voting in favor of returning to the original state flag, adopted in 1893. The same day the bill was introduced, the Inver Grove Heights City Council voted to join Elk River, Champlin, Zumbrota and Plainview in flying the first flag on city buildings.

The State Emblems Redesign Commission voted 11-1 to approve a new flag design for 2023 after critics argued that the original flag image was considered racist against Native Americans.

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The original Minnesota flag design was deemed offensive to Native Americans. (Mohamed Ibrahim/US Report via AP, File)

“The sign depicts a Native American riding into the sunset while a White settler plows a field with his gun leaning against a nearby stump,” wrote the Associated Press in 2023.

The new flag now features an eight-pointed star on a navy blue background shaped like Minnesota, next to a solid light-blue field, representing the state’s waters, according to the commission. It was officially adopted in 2024.

The new design has met with criticism from people who consider it outdated and others who accuse it of being similar to the national flag of Somalia.

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Critics have accused Minnesota’s new flag (left) of resembling the national flag of Somalia (right). (Getty Images)

In response to the new bill, Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth called it “dead on arrival,” suggesting it had no way to the Senate.

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“That bill is dead on arrival. There is no way this bill is going forward,” Demuth told CBS News. “Knowing that Democrats are trying to take funding from our police and fire, from our cities, is ridiculous. We have a real job that can help the people of Minnesota.”

Fox News’ Christine Rousselle contributed to this report.