Minnesota bill would cut state aid to cities and counties flying the old flag

The Minnesota House of Representatives has introduced a bill that could penalize cities and counties that do not fly the redesigned state flag.

Members of Minnesota’s Democratic Farmer-Labor (DFL) party The law came into force on Monday Reducing state aid to a county or city “that flies or otherwise uses a state flag other than the design of the state flag approved in the report of the Commission on Redesigning State Emblems.”

If the bill becomes law, it will come into force in 2027.

MINNESOTA ADOPTS NEW, NON-RACIST STATE FLAG, JOINS UTAH, MISSISSIPPI, MICHIGAN, ILLINOIS IN FLAG REDESIGN

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

The bill comes after many cities and communities in recent years voted 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 original flag on city buildings.

The State Emblems Redesign Commission voted 11-1 to approve a new flag design in 2023 after critics suggested the original flag image was considered racist towards Native Americans.

MINNESOTA IS CONSIDERING CHANGEING THE FLAG AFTER HISTORICAL 1893 DESIGN WAS ACCUSED OF RACISM AGAINST NATIVE AMERICANS

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

“The seal depicts a Native American riding his horse into the sunset while a White settler plows his field with his rifle resting on a nearby log,” The Associated Press reported. The Associated Press wrote in 2023. “The images show many people that Native people are defeated and gone, while White people win and stay.”

According to the commission, the new flag now features an eight-pointed star on a dark blue background reminiscent of Minnesota, next to a plain light blue field representing the state’s waters. It was officially accepted in 2024.

The new design was met with its own criticism from those who saw it as a poor alternative and accused it of resembling the Somali national flag.

DAVID MARCUS: DON’T ENLIGHTEN US ABOUT MINNESOTA’S NEW SOMALI THEMED STATE FLAG

Critics accused the new Minnesota flag (left) of resembling the Somali national flag (right). (Getty Images)

In response to the new bill, Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth called the bill “dead on arrival” and suggested there was no path forward in the Senate.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

“This bill was dead when it came in. There is no way this bill will become law.” Demuth told CBS News. “It’s ridiculous to know that Democrats are trying to take funding away from our police, fire and cities. We have real jobs that can help Minnesotans.”

Fox News’ Christine Rousselle contributed to this report.